Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
270–25K
1025–50K
1450–75K
1075–100K
14100–150K
4150K+
79 reports with mileage · 26 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
105 reports
140,000 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN THE PAST IN WHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN THE PAST IN WHICH BOTH REAR DOORS WOULD EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY LOCKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10445097
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK AND WHEN THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS 30-40 MPH, IT SLOWS DOWN AND THE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSORS FOR THE COMPUTER, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK AND WHEN THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS 30-40 MPH, IT SLOWS DOWN AND THE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSORS FOR THE COMPUTER, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA ODI #10444019
114,254 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Power Train
SOME TIMES WHEN AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH(GO). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424013
1,000,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING REAR DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING REAR DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10421116
106,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH TOYO EXTENSA TIRES, TIRE SIZE 215/65/15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN OBJECT PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND A PATCH WAS USED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH TOYO EXTENSA TIRES, TIRE SIZE 215/65/15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN OBJECT PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND A PATCH WAS USED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THREE MONTHS LATER THE SAME TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AGAIN BY A SMALL ROCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,800.
NHTSA ODI #10416552
102,000 miles · Feb 10, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR NOW WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS HANDICAPPED AND THIS IS THE EASIEST DOOR TO PUT HER IN THE CAR, SO AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CAR THAT HOLDS HER WHEELCHAIR IS COMPLETELY USELESS TO US. TOYOTA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. THIS…
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WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR NOW WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS HANDICAPPED AND THIS IS THE EASIEST DOOR TO PUT HER IN THE CAR, SO AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CAR THAT HOLDS HER WHEELCHAIR IS COMPLETELY USELESS TO US. TOYOTA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IS SHE WAS IN THE CAR AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND WE COULD NOT GET HER OUT???? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381391
112,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT THROUGH THE CONTACT'S GARAGE AND INTO THEIR LIVING ROOM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10381284
95,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Structure
BOTH OF THE REAR DOORS IN MY TOYOTA SIENA WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN AM EMERGENCY PEOPLE HAVE TO CLIMB OVER TO THE FRONT SEATS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378746
115,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
THE HANDLE ON THE LIFT GATE FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BROKE OFF RIGHT IN MY HAND. THE GATE REMAINS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO OPEN IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10366761
90,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
BROKEN CABLE FOR SLIDING DOOR OF MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Toyota Sienna Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year