NHTSA (USA)Critical
This page covers 10 recalls, 144 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Toyota Sienna.
20 mpg combined
11.8 L/100km
Minivan - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2017 Toyota Sienna centers on the transmission and wheels. Powertrain complaints make up the largest share, with owners across multiple reports describing a whining noise from the transmission, loss of power, jerky or rough shifting, and in some cases fluid leaking from what they describe as a "sealed" unit. Several owners report the check engine light and service required light illuminating alongside these symptoms. Wheel-related complaints are the second most-reported area, though the transmission issues clearly dominate the complaint set. Engine complaints round out the top three named systems but at roughly half the volume of the wheel category. The transmission whining noise is the single most consistently described symptom across these reports, with owners noting it appearing across a range of mileages.
144
Total Complaints
13
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Toyota Sienna has 10 recalls, the most serious involving sudden loss of brake assist, loss of steering control, and rear brake failure — any of which can result in a crash.
The brake and steering concerns span several recalls and affect different vehicle configurations. On standard (non-converted) Siennas, the brake booster vacuum pump rotor may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause brake assist to drop away suddenly, leaving the driver with significantly more pedal effort needed to slow the vehicle. The fuel pump can also fail on certain Siennas, causing the engine to stall without warning while underway. Prior repair attempts on the fuel pump issue did not fully resolve it, and a broader follow-up recall was issued to cover additional vehicles.
Several recalls specifically affect mobility van conversions. BraunAbility-converted vehicles carry two separate steering concerns: a steering shaft extension that can crack and break, and a separately manufactured batch where the same extension may fracture due to a different production flaw. In either case, a complete break leaves the driver without steering. Also on conversions, Vantage Mobility (AMS Genesis) wheelchair vans may have rear brake hoses that are too short and rub against the axle trailing arm until they wear through and leak, while Braun Corporation conversions may have incorrect brake line fittings that allow pressure to drop in the rear braking circuit. Both conditions reduce or eliminate rear braking effectiveness.
Rounding out the list are lower-severity label and spare tire concerns. Two separate recalls address load capacity labels that may show incorrect weight limits, which can lead
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved version at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially affecting fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber brake hoses connected to the rear wheels may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new set of rear brake hoses that provide proper clearance between the hoses and axle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering shaft extension can break, causing sudden loss of steering control.
What the fix does
BraunAbility will replace the steering shaft extension with an improved part at an authorized dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, which can cause them to fracture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering shaft extensions at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The load carrying capacity label on the vehicle may show incorrect information, which means the vehicle does not meet federal tire and rim safety standards.
What the fix does
Toyota will provide a corrected label to place over the incorrect one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake line tube nut fittings may be incorrect, causing pressure to drop in the braking system.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an adaptor to correct the fitting issue at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The oil passage in the brake booster vacuum pump rotor may have been improperly machined during manufacturing, which could cause sudden loss of brake assist.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The load carrying capacity labels on these vehicles are incorrect, causing them to not meet federal tire and rim safety standards.
What the fix does
Toyota will provide owners with corrected labels at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire on affected vehicles has incorrect air pressure and does not match the pressure specified on the Tire Pressure Label.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the spare tire and adjust its pressure to the correct level at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
