Research · Minivan - 2WD

2016 Toyota SiennaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 76 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Sienna. Most complaints involve structure (27) and electrical system (9). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Dec 2025
Owner complaints
76
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported Dec 18, 2025NHTSA 25V876000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jul 25, 2019NHTSA 19V553000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 4, 2019NHTSA 19V410000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

76 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2016 – Sep 2026
  1. Structure27
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Seat belts6
  4. Wheels5
  5. Air bags5
  6. Latches/locks/linkages4
  7. Engine4
  8. Steering4
  9. Exterior lighting4

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
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

27 reports1 crash
“The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure); several years ago. The contact stated that the dealer only serviced the passenger’s side sliding door, even though the recall indicated that both doors were included. The contact stated that the driver’s side rear sliding door had not yet failed completely but was malfunctioning. While pressing the button, the power door closed but failed to latch or seal shut. The contact stated that closing the door manually worked properly. The dealer was notified of the issue but declined to assist and indicated that the repair had expired in July 2026. The failure mileage was 196,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026StructureODI 11767805

Electrical system

9 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR SLID OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUBURN TOYOTA (800 NEVADA ST, AUBURN, CA 95603) AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,512.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2020Electrical system, StructureODI 11339817

Seat belts

6 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine/transmission and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle at the rate of 55-60 mph, the vehicle came to a complete/instant stop without warning — potential causing harm or even death to the occupants of the associated vehicle, and it adversely affected my ability to safely control the vehicle. Also, as the incident was occurring, my drivers seatbelt became very, very tight. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, but this is the second occurrence of this same incident within the past 30 days.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2023Seat belts, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11509231
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 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 (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 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 Nov 4, 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 (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050430
Sienna AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400467
  • Sienna 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sienna AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Sienna VAN FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota Sienna VAN AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 10119Vehicle 10118
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

2016 Sienna questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Sienna have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 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 2016 Toyota Sienna problems?

Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (27), electrical system (9), seat belts (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Toyota Sienna get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Sienna at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Toyota Sienna?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Toyota Sienna 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026