Problems · NHTSA complaints

2004 Toyota Sienna problems

Owners filed 2,062 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Sienna with NHTSA between Aug 2003 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is structure (962).

Complaints
2,062
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
51
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
180
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure962
  2. Latches/locks/linkages308
  3. Steering159
  4. Electrical system132
  5. Tires125
  6. Vehicle speed control111
  7. Seat belts98
  8. Power train89
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)68
  10. Service brakes48
  11. Engine and engine cooling46
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic39
  13. Fuel system, gasoline37
  14. Equipment37

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200330
2004106
2005129
200692
2007172
2008188
2009228
2010312
2011169
2012139
2013106
201498
201590
201679
201730
201823
201924
202013
202113
20228
20234
20242
20257

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

962 reports1 fire2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the liftgate door was opened, the door had erroneously closed and failed to remain opened. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear hatch door struts were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V244000 (STRUCTURE); but parts were on back order. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2025StructureODI 11679304

Latches/locks/linkages

308 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO JERK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE FAILURES WENT AWAY AFTER THIRTY SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES RANDOMLY STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO AND GREW WORSE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE LOCK ON THE SLIDING DOOR SHOWED THAT IT WAS UNLOCKED; HOWEVER, NO ONE COULD EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2018Steering, Latches/locks/linkages, Electronic stability control (esc), Traction control system, Service brakesODI 11099913

Steering

159 reports
“The Traction Control System commonly malfunctions while making turns on curving road sections. I will lose power through turns as the TCS light blinks on my dashboard and makes a beeping sound. On some occasions the brakes will automatically engage in the tire that the car perceives as experiencing slippage. This problem is continuously worsening and commonly endangers me and my passengers, as the car engages brakes or cuts power to the engine at unexpected and in opportune times.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2025Steering, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11659970

Electrical system

132 reports5 fires
“The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate inadvertently opened, then closed independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the tailgate hydraulic struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that she noticed that the failure had reoccurred in 30-degree temperatures on two occasions. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2023Electrical system, StructureODI 11515790

Tires

125 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“P225/60R17 98T: Tires create vibrations in the steering column. One tire in particular creates severe vibrations that mechanic states could lead to problems with the steering components. Mechanic http://www.japaneseautorepair.org/ e-mail [email protected] (John). Coordinated w/ Sandy Boulevard Line up shop and one tire could not be aligned due to defect. 2004 Sienna van (140,900 odometer miles) is equipped with Toyo Observe GSi-5 195/65R15 91T (separate 16" rims purchased from Les Schwab) and there is no vibration at all. Les Schwab last tried to "balance" the defective tire in 2019. I have about the 4rth appointment Aug 21 2021 @ 9AM. I will also take the 2004 Sienna van to Japanese Auto repair (web site and e-mail above). to look for any defects. I probably need to put the Winter Observe GSi-5 tires on the car for safety, but they wear out quickly on summer hot roads.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2021TiresODI 11429013

Vehicle speed control

111 reports26 crashes1 related recall
“Vehicle often applies brakes on its own . At first it was only in turns . However now it does it when driving straight on the the freeway or just down the street at 45mph. I have fixed my alignment ,new tires, all of the front suspension and nothing prevents the car from trying to brake for me. it is a safety feature that is not safe at all. a car slamming on your brakes at any speed is dangerous in addition to that it seems to cut off your fuel , leaving you unable to accelerate until its done beeping which can take a long time. the vsc , chenk engine and trac off flash there is no crash to report I have been lucky so far”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2025Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11649266
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

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