Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Toyota Sienna problems

Owners filed 1,017 complaints about the 2006 Toyota Sienna with NHTSA between Oct 2005 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (307).

Complaints
1,017
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
37
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
53
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags307
  2. Structure261
  3. Electrical system85
  4. Latches/locks/linkages67
  5. Tires66
  6. Steering61
  7. Wheels54
  8. Vehicle speed control50
  9. Service brakes50
  10. Power train40
  11. Seat belts38
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)30
  13. Suspension19
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic19

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
20051
200612
200728
200830
200952
2010156
2011157
2012106
2013105
201480
201573
201664
201732
201846
201923
202020
202113
20225
20237
20243
20251
20263

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

Air bags

307 reports14 crashes
“Airbag warning light intermittently flashes, upon personal research on owner forums this is a common issue that is most commonly fixed by wiggling or disconnecting/reconnecting the airbag sensor wiring below the front seats.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2022Air bagsODI 11460099

Structure

261 reports2 crashes2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a recall repair, the mechanic discovered large holes in the center of the subframe caused by rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 218,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026StructureODI 11761581

Electrical system

85 reports
“The vehicle stability control system randomly engages and activates the brakes without cause. This can happen on a gentle curve going under the speed limit. It is very scary and I am afraid it is going to cause an accident. Internet research shows many owners with this issue and no information on the cause or a fix”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2023Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11514074

Latches/locks/linkages

67 reports
“I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2009. I HAD TO TURN OFF MY ELECTRICAL RIGHT BACK SIDE PASSENGER DOOR BECAUSE IT SLIDES OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE I'M DRIVING. THE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES WITH THE PUSH BUTTON BUT DUE TO THE DOOR FLYING OPEN WHILE I'M DRIVING I HAD TO TURN THE AUTOMATIC OPTION OFF. I TAKE MY VEHICLE IN FOR ALL RECALLS BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THEM AND IF IT HASN'T IT SHOULD BE. IT JUST HAPPENS OUT OF NOWHERE AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN YOU JUST SEE THE DOOR FLY OPEN IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE KIDS AND A DOG THAT RIDES IN MY VAN ON A DAILY BASIS SO THIS PROBLEM NEEDS ATTENTION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2019Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11183349

Tires

66 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna equipped Hercules Tires, Tire Line: Roadtour 855 SPE, Tire Size: 215/65/R16, DOT Number: U96VH260H21. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH during a trip, the steering wheel started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, and the contact was informed that the two front tires had sustained tread belt separation and bulges. The two front tires were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the tire shop, and the contact was informed that the rear passenger's side tire had sustained tread belt separation, and the metallic belt was poking through the rubber. The contact requested that the rear tires be replaced as a precautionary measure. The rear tires were replaced. All four tires were replacement tires. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 173,414. The tire failure mileage was approximately 16,022. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2025TiresODI 11680059

Steering

61 reports2 crashes
“My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2024Steering, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11576496
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.