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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2008 Toyota SiennaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 429 owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Sienna. Most complaints involve structure (117) and vehicle speed control (51). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
429
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000

Tires: temporary

Remedy pending

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.

TiresReported May 22, 2014NHTSA 14V273000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

429 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2007 – Aug 2026
  1. Structure117
  2. Vehicle speed control51
  3. Electrical system45
  4. Engine39
  5. Power train38
  6. Steering33
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)29
  8. Service brakes28
  9. Tires19

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
37
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
19
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

117 reports4 crashes
“MY VEHICLE HAS 138,000 MILES AND WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT FIXING THE SLIDING DOOR, I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS OVER IN 2016; HOWEVER, I KNOW OF A PERSON THAT WAS ABLE TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE FIXED BY TOYOTA. IN FACT, TOYOTA REPLACE BOTH THE DOOR SLIDING COMPONENTS / LATCHES. FOR MY VEHICLE I TRIED GETTING TOYOTA TO FIX THIS LAST YEAR AND TRIED AGAIN TODAY BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THESE REPAIRS. I WANT IT DOCUMENTED THAT THIS VIN HAS NOT BEEN FIXED REGARDING THE SLIDING DOOR AND SHOULD A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ARISE IN THE FUTURE DUE TO THESE DOORS, THIS WILL SERVER AS DOCUMENTATION. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THIS YEAR I HAD TO TAKE IT ON MYSELF TO TRY AND FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO TOYOTA NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS. THE CABLE FOR THE SLIDING DOOR HAD FRAYED AND WHEN THE DOOR WAS MANUALLY OPENED, IT WOULD ONLY OPEN SOME BUT NOT FULLY. THE ROLLER LATCH FOR THIS DOOR ALSO APPEARS TO BE BENT AND NOW THE DOOR IS CLOSE TO HITTING THE SIDE PANEL WHEN OPENED; I HAD TO REMOVE THE CABLE COMPONENTS MYSELF TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN. I BELIEVE THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COSTS FOR HAVING BOTH DOORS MECHANISMS REPLACED IS $4,000 AND…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2020StructureODI 11361310

Vehicle speed control

51 reports22 crashes
“I have had the traction control go on while driving on the highway even when I turn it off. Sometimes the VSC and TRAC OFF lights go on while driving. The roads are dry. Whenever I take it in to the mechanic, all the lights are off. They pulled a zero calibration code and recalibrated. It still kept happening. Then I was driving around a curve on highway speeds when the traction control light went on and the van suddenly braked on its own and I almost lost control. The tires are new and the roads were dry.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2025Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11641052

Electrical system

45 reports1 fire
“Issues with VSC. The sensor alarm goes off when driving at more than 50 mph and slightly turning the steering wheel. The car brakes itself and this is DANGEROUS. It happens all the time, it has been more than 5-6 years and we are to the point of not using the car on the freeway to prevent a potential fatal accident. I found posts describing the same issue with this model of Toyota. Car should be recalled to get this fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11532504
All 2008 Sienna problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD, Minivan - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 Oct 27, 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 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Sienna 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
  • Sienna 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Sienna 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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 2008 Toyota Sienna as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 2503
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

2008 Sienna questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Sienna have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 2008 Toyota Sienna problems?

Owners filed 429 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (117), vehicle speed control (51), electrical system (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Toyota Sienna get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Toyota Sienna at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026