Problems · by component

2006 Toyota Sienna power train problems

40 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Sienna cite power train, 4% of all 1,017 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
40
4% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Bought the van used last year. Previous owner said mechanic could not diagnose the issue. On slight curves similar to on-ramps while accelerating the Vehicle stability control (VSC) will engage unexpectedly, sound an alarm and jerk the steering wheel. Some times to the point of pulling the vehicle out of its lane. Road speed is decreased dramatically as it feels as though the ABS is engaging. This has happened to me at least half a dozen times since June 2023. The condition will continue for maybe five or ten seconds until the wheel is straightened and speed reduced. Searching the Internet seems it's a fairly common problem. The fix might be to replace the steering rack or disable the VSC system. It's reported by those experiencing the issue get little to no help from the dealerships which strikes me as quite strange... From what I've read it seems to affect 2004-2009 Siennas”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2023Steering, Power train, Service brakesODI 11548154
“The bushing for the gear shift is broken causing the lever to disconnect from the cord preventing the vehicle from shifting gears. This caused the vehicle to become stuck in reverse. The car was stuck in reverse when attempting to shift to drive, nearly causing my wife to crash into another vehicle. There are multiple videos on YouTube demonstrating this problem, it is a known issue. The vehicle/component has not been manufactured. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2023Power trainODI 11544413
“CAR WAS IN MOTION, TURNING TO PARK ON SLOPE PARKING AREA THEN GEAR FALL OUT AND ROLLING BACKWARD, THEREFORE TRY TO SHIFT INTO PARKING GEAR, ALL GEARS DIDN'T WORK, GEAR SHIFT WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL THEN CAR ROLLED DOWNHILL TO OTHER SIDE OF CURVE. TO PREVENT ACCIDENT I GOT OUT TO STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BY HOLDING ON TO THE REAR DOOR HANDLE, COULD'NT STOP IT, IN THE PROCESS I HAD INJURY TO MY LEFT SHOULDER AND BACK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2020Power trainCrash reportedODI 11311470
“TRACTION CONTROL HAS RANDOMLY ENGAGED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, AT SPEEDS AS LOW 35 MPH AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. PAVEMENT WAS DRY AND WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT, NOT TURNING. BRAKING IS APPLIED CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF SPEED AND PULLING STEERING TO ONE SIDE FOR ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS. CONTROL RETURNS AND TRAC CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. DOES NOT RESULT IN AN ERROR CODE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2018Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11145324
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED HER VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT ROLLED BOTH FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V657000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIA TOYOTA OF COLONIE (2116 CENTRAL AVE, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, 518-631-5254) AND WAS REPAIRED PER THE RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2018Power trainODI 11140025
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF, THE KEY WOULD FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V657000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 14V273000 (TIRES). THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2018Power train, Electrical system, WheelsODI 11121639

Showing 6 of 40 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.

Power trainReported Oct 18, 2017NHTSA 17V657000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026

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