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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2001 Toyota SiennaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 185 owner complaints for the 2001 Toyota Sienna. Most complaints involve structure (35) and latches/locks/linkages (34). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2010
Owner complaints
185
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure

Remedy pending

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.

StructureReported Apr 20, 2010NHTSA 10V160000

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

StructureReported Mar 5, 2001NHTSA 01V072000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

185 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2000 – Mar 2021
  1. Structure35
  2. Latches/locks/linkages34
  3. Engine and engine cooling24
  4. Electrical system20
  5. Tires15
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  7. Vehicle speed control9
  8. Seat belts9
  9. Visibility9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sienna model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998302
1999217
2000374
2001185
2002207
2003116
20042,062
20051,130
20061,017
2007364
2008429
2009207
2010172
2011615
2012247
2013183
2014164
2015233
201676
2017159
201872
201946
202038
20240
20250
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
5
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

35 reports
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR HAS SEVERAL TIMES NOW REFUSED TO LATCH, AND WHEN IN EMERGENCY SITUATION I HAVE LOCKED IT AND FORCED IT TO SHUT THEN IT WILL NOT UNLOCK AND IT HAS TO BE TAKEN APART TO BE OPENED AND THE WHOLE LATCH AND LOCK MECHANISM REWORKED BY THE MECHANIC, AND IN THE MEANTIME THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE AND BACK ROWS OF THE VAN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED, SO IT IS DEFINITELY AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE HARDWARE OF THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM ITSELF AND NOT SIMPLY A GLITCH THAT OCCURRED ONCE OR SOMETHING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2018StructureODI 11098879

Latches/locks/linkages

34 reports
“I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE IN 2001. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS GIVEN US PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME POWER DOOR ISSUE AT LEAST 11 TIMES. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME. THE NTSB SHOULD FORCE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND NOW IT WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL EITHER BY REMOTE OR MANUALLY. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2011Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10420074

Engine and engine cooling

24 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD-UP AND OIL JELLING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 134,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10421331
All 2001 Sienna problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sienna 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
  • Sienna 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Toyota Sienna as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 4327
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Sienna questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Sienna have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Toyota Sienna problems?

Owners filed 185 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (35), latches/locks/linkages (34), engine and engine cooling (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Toyota Sienna get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Toyota Sienna at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026