Illustration2008 TOYOTA SIENNA AWD LEAKING GEAR OIL ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM AWD TRANSFER CASE. OIL IS BURNING. *TR
2008 Toyota Sienna
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sienna years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Sienna are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sienna years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
540–25K
5525–50K
6650–75K
7875–100K
71100–150K
34150K+
358 reports with mileage · 71 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.
- Structure. Review the 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
37 crash reports4 fire reports17 injury reports
Power Train complaints
38 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND TO GET THE CAR INTO THE FIRST OR LOWEST GEAR WHEN PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR IF YOU DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE FULL STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT PRIOR BRAKING OR SLOWING THE VEHICLE AS YOU COME TO A STOP AFFECTS HOW THE CAR SHIFTS INTO GEARS AND COULD BE WHY IT HESITATES OR HANGS I…
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THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND TO GET THE CAR INTO THE FIRST OR LOWEST GEAR WHEN PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR IF YOU DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE FULL STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT PRIOR BRAKING OR SLOWING THE VEHICLE AS YOU COME TO A STOP AFFECTS HOW THE CAR SHIFTS INTO GEARS AND COULD BE WHY IT HESITATES OR HANGS IN NO GEAR WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OR STOP. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST 90% OF THE TIME. THE RESPONSE FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHILE ACCELERATING IN THESE SITUATIONS WARRANTS A REPLACEMENT OR ADJUSTMENT. *TR
2008 TOYOTA SIENNA ACCELERATION HESITATION THIS MINIVAN HESITATES FROM DRIVER ACCELERATION FOR 1-2 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CAN BE REPRODUCED VERY EASILY BY MAKING A CORNER TURN AT LOW SPEED, AND INCREASING ACCELERATION AFTER THE TURN. THE MINIVAN WILL NOT RESPOND FOR 1-2 SECONDS BEFOR…
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2008 TOYOTA SIENNA ACCELERATION HESITATION THIS MINIVAN HESITATES FROM DRIVER ACCELERATION FOR 1-2 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CAN BE REPRODUCED VERY EASILY BY MAKING A CORNER TURN AT LOW SPEED, AND INCREASING ACCELERATION AFTER THE TURN. THE MINIVAN WILL NOT RESPOND FOR 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE 'JUMPING' INTO THE ACCELERATION. THE BIGGEST SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS IS A LEFT TURN ACROSS AN ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC (SIMILAR TO A CORNER TURN). IF I AM COASTING TO THE INTERSECTION FOR THE TURN, THE MINIVAN DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE DRIVER INPUT FOR ACCELERATION TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONCOMING CAR (UNTIL THROUGH THE INTERSECTION). KNOWING THIS DEFECT, I COMPENSATE FOR IT, BUT AN UNSUSPECTING DRIVER COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM IN MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. RATHER THAN THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALLS, MY VAN SOMETIMES DOES NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY, EG. THERE IS EXCESSIVE HESITATION AND LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THERE ARE OTHER TIMES, ESP. GOING DOWNH…
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I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM IN MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. RATHER THAN THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALLS, MY VAN SOMETIMES DOES NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY, EG. THERE IS EXCESSIVE HESITATION AND LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THERE ARE OTHER TIMES, ESP. GOING DOWNHILL, WHEN THE CAR SEEMS STUCK IN AN UNUSUALLY LOW GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). WHEN I'VE REPORTED MY CONCERNS TO THE DEALER (EACH TIME IT'S BEEN SERVICED FOR 2 YEARS!), THE SERVICE REP SAYS, "YES, MY AVALON DOES THE SAME THING. IT'S BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL IS NO LONGER MECHANICALLY ATTACHED; INSTEAD IT RELIES ON RADIO WAVES WHICH CAN BE AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY." SO, WHILE THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AS "DANGEROUS" A PROBLEM AS THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATIONS, I CAN IMAGINE A SCENARIO WHEN I WOULD NEED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND, AND I COULD BE REAR-ENDED. I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO "REPORT" THIS APPARENT PROBLEM, AS THE TESTIMONY I SAW FROM TOYOTA OFFICIALS SEEMED TO HEAVILY DISCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY OF THERE BEING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS. BUT SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT! I PREVIOUSLY DROVE A 2000 SIENNA AND DID NOT HAVE ANY OF THE HESITATION I HAVE DESCRIBED ABOVE. (UNFORTUNATELY, THAT ENGINE "DIED" AT 78K, I BELIEVE, DUE TO THE "WHITE SMOKE" PROBLEM THAT HAD BEEN SUBJECT OF AN EARLIER RECALL!) NOTE: STATED DATE IS MOST RECENT DATE VAN HESITATED AND WAS "STUCK IN A LOW GEAR." PROBLEM FIRST NOTED IN NOV. 2007 WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES. *TR
PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER SLOWING DOWN AT A STOP SIGN OR INTERSECTION AT THE SPEED BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MPH AND THEN GO TO INCREASE SPEED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES. ONE TIME THE ENGINE SEEMED TO ROAR UP, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE.... THIS HESITATION OCCURS WHEN TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN …
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PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER SLOWING DOWN AT A STOP SIGN OR INTERSECTION AT THE SPEED BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MPH AND THEN GO TO INCREASE SPEED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES. ONE TIME THE ENGINE SEEMED TO ROAR UP, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE.... THIS HESITATION OCCURS WHEN TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SLOWING DOWN AT AN INTERSECTION OR TURNING AT A CORNER. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BUT IS QUITE NOTICEABLE. I CAN OFTEN REPRODUCE HESITATION WITH A HARD BRAKE FOLLOWED BY HEAVY THROTTLE. *TR
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT. CAR WAS DRIVEN 200 MILES THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AND GARAGED. THE NEXT MORNING, CAR WAS STARTED, BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, AND DRIVEN 15 MPH FOR 1/4 MILE UNTIL ON MAIN ROAD. AFTER TRAVELING 0.4 MILES ON MAIN ROAD I SLOWED TO A RED LIGHT. THE ENGINE STARTED RACING (BUT NOT RED-LINING). I AM ABSOLUTELY S…
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UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT. CAR WAS DRIVEN 200 MILES THE PREVIOUS NIGHT AND GARAGED. THE NEXT MORNING, CAR WAS STARTED, BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, AND DRIVEN 15 MPH FOR 1/4 MILE UNTIL ON MAIN ROAD. AFTER TRAVELING 0.4 MILES ON MAIN ROAD I SLOWED TO A RED LIGHT. THE ENGINE STARTED RACING (BUT NOT RED-LINING). I AM ABSOLUTELY SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH REMOVED THE FORWARD PRESSURE, AND AFTER A SECOND OR TWO, THE RPMS DRIFTED BACK INTO THE NORMAL RANGE. THIS IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE. OTHER INSTANCES HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE AND HAVE ALL OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE. *TR
2008 TOYOTA SIENNA 3.5 V6 HAS HAD PISTON SLAP SINCE NEW. TOYOTA KNOWS THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN ALL OF THESE ENGINES BUT BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN NO FAILURES AND FEW COMPLAINTS , THEY ARE CHOOSING TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I LIKE ENGINES AND I KNOW THAT WHERE THERE IS NOISE THERE IS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND POTENTIAL FUTURE FAILURE. *TR
Official recalls
916V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
14V273000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
May 22, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: 2004-2010 Siennas subject to this recall were subject to recall campaign 10V-160 initiated in 2010. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles. Additionally, model year 1998-2003 Siennas were recalled as part of safety recall 10V-160. Owners of those vehicles that have not had not the remedy performed on their vehicles, should contact their Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.
13V429000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Sep 26, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
Remedy: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
10V160000 · Structure
Apr 20, 2010
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.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
09V234000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 25, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND THE GVWR ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INSUFFICIENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WERE ACCESSORIZED THROUGH VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTERS AND HAD ACCESSORIES INSTALLED THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE GVWR VALUE. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," AND 49 CFR PART 567.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE GVWR IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLES.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS INSTRUCTING THEM TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA OR LEXUS DEALER FOR AN EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AN INSTALLATION OF THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABEL, IF NECESSARY, AND A CORRECTION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.