DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF DURING NORMAL USE DUE TO ELECTRICAL DOOR MALFUNCTION. THE DESIGN OF THESE DOOR HANDLES ARE POOR AND A NEW DESIGN NEEDS TO BE MADE. *TR
2002 Toyota Sienna
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Sienna do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 183.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sienna years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120 reports with mileage · 61 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
181 reportsALL THE LOCKS KEEP UNLOCKING, AND LOCKING WITHOUT ANYONE IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE LOCKS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING IT IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE VAN IS IN GEAR, WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN VAN IS NOT RUNNING WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! …
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ALL THE LOCKS KEEP UNLOCKING, AND LOCKING WITHOUT ANYONE IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE LOCKS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING IT IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE VAN IS IN GEAR, WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN VAN IS NOT RUNNING WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR IT WOULD NOT OPEN ELECTRICALLY OR MANUALLY. AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO OPEN I CUT THE CABLE AND WAS ABLE TO THEN OPEN THE DOOR. AT THIS POINT IN TIME BOTH SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN ELECTRONICALLY BUT WILL OPEN MANUALLY. *TR
I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ROAD. I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE TYPICAL ACCELERATION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY. THEN I PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE GAS PEDAL AND PUSHED DOWN HARDER THAN NORMAL TO SEE IF I GOT A RESPONSE. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE BEGA…
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I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ROAD. I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE TYPICAL ACCELERATION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY. THEN I PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE GAS PEDAL AND PUSHED DOWN HARDER THAN NORMAL TO SEE IF I GOT A RESPONSE. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THEN I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE CONTINUE TO REV AND THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING FORWARD. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE CONTINUE TO REV. I THEN DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT BRIEFLY AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF AND THE ENGINE STOPPED REVVING AT THIS POINT. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT AFTER THAT POINT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS REVVING MY LEFT FOOT WAS NOT TOUCHING OR NEAR THE GAS PEDAL. THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT IN THE WAY. AND MY RIGHT FOOT WAS FREE AND UNENCUMBERED. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AROUND ME SO I WAS ABLE TO FULLY CONCENTRATE ON THE ISSUE AND DID NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. *TR
WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AND LIGHTLY BRAKING THE CAR SUDDENLY ALARMINGLY ACCELERATES. DEALER CLAIMS VARIOUS ISSUES THAT THEY TRIED BUT NON RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I AM READY TO SELL AND AFRAID THAT THE BUYER MIGHT NOT REMEMBER TO FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTION TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BEFORE BRAKING. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR T…
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WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AND LIGHTLY BRAKING THE CAR SUDDENLY ALARMINGLY ACCELERATES. DEALER CLAIMS VARIOUS ISSUES THAT THEY TRIED BUT NON RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I AM READY TO SELL AND AFRAID THAT THE BUYER MIGHT NOT REMEMBER TO FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTION TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BEFORE BRAKING. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS, MOST RECENTLY THIS YEAR 2014. *TR
OUR 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA HAD THE GEAR SHIFT REPAIRED AT A MAJOR ATLANTA AREA TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 5, 2014. THE GEAR SHIFT REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO BE DISASSEMBLED. ABOUT ONE WEEK AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE WHEELS. BY SHEER…
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OUR 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA HAD THE GEAR SHIFT REPAIRED AT A MAJOR ATLANTA AREA TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 5, 2014. THE GEAR SHIFT REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO BE DISASSEMBLED. ABOUT ONE WEEK AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE WHEELS. BY SHEER LUCK THIS STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER JUST TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE. HAD THIS STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SAME MAJOR ATLANTA AREA TOYOTA DEALER AND THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AS "STEERING JOINT BOLT BACKED OFF FROM CONNECTION". I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ONE BOLT COMING LOOSE. THE STEERING FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY "RE-TIGHTENED' BOLT WITH LOCK TIGHT". IN SUMMARY, THE REPAIR OF A GEAR SHIFT BY A CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE CENTER RESULTED IN COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE DUE TO ONE BOLT THAT "BACKED OFF FROM CONNECTION" OR THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED OR SECURED. IT IS VERY CONCERNING THAT TOYOTA?S STEERING COLUMN DESIGN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE WHEN ONE BOLT COMES LOOSE. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR ISSUE THAT A CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE CENTER IS UNABLE TO SAFELY DISSEMBLE AND REASSEMBLE THE STEERING COLUMN AND PROVIDE A SAFE AND DRIVABLE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW OFTEN THIS TYPE OF STEERING FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THIS AND SIMILARLY DESIGNED TOYOTA VEHICLES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY CRASHES, SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS ISSUE. THIS CERTAINLY CAN?T BE THE ONLY OCCURRENCE. I FEEL IT IS IMPERATIVE TO ALERT OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTERS OF THE SITUATION OR ISSUE A RECALL TO ENSURE THAT THE STEERING JOINT BOLT IS SECURE. VIDEO CAN BE SEEN AT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=6XB-CPKR4HY UPDATED 1/9/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING WITH THE VEHICLE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING WITH THE VEHICLE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND NECK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND WHIP LASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,700.
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO TAKE DINNER WITH MY FAMILY WHEN ARRIVE TO THE RESTAURANT I NOTICE WAS A LOT SMOG IN THE MOTOR I OPEN THE HOOD WAS A LOT SMOG SO I PLUG OUT THE BATTERY AND I CALL A MECHANIC AND HE TELLME THE FIRE WAS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP HE DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE POWER STEERING AND TELLME TO BRING THE CA…
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I WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO TAKE DINNER WITH MY FAMILY WHEN ARRIVE TO THE RESTAURANT I NOTICE WAS A LOT SMOG IN THE MOTOR I OPEN THE HOOD WAS A LOT SMOG SO I PLUG OUT THE BATTERY AND I CALL A MECHANIC AND HE TELLME THE FIRE WAS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP HE DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE POWER STEERING AND TELLME TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND MAYBE HAVE A RECALL. THATS BY I WANT TO NO IF IS COVER FOR THE WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
EVER SINCE NOVMBER, 2008, MY 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR, HAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPEN EITHER BY ACTIVATING THE BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR COLUMN, BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE OUTSIDE, OR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOOR BUTTON, OR WORSE, AFTER OPENING, WILL NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER HAD TO REINITIALIZE THE ECU IN…
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EVER SINCE NOVMBER, 2008, MY 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR, HAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPEN EITHER BY ACTIVATING THE BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR COLUMN, BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE OUTSIDE, OR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOOR BUTTON, OR WORSE, AFTER OPENING, WILL NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER HAD TO REINITIALIZE THE ECU IN NOVEMBER, 2008, AND HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SINCE. NOW, SINCE AT LEAST DECEMBER, 2012, THE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL BY ANY OF THE 3 METHODS AND CANNOT BE REINITIALIZED. ALSO, AT TIMES THE MANUAL DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR, IN THE PAST ~ 1 1/2 YEARS WILL NOT OPEN EITHER FROM INSIDE DOOR BUTTON RELEASE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE AND PASSENGERS HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM THE FRONT SEATS TO ENTER OR CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEAT & CONSOLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THAT I NEED TO "START WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ECU," A PART COSTING $730.00 AND ABOUT $1000 WITH INSTILLATION. I HAVE READ OTHER HORROR STORIES THAT REPLACING THE ECU ISN'T NECESSARILY THE ANSWER AND MANY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY AUTO RECALLS ON THESE POWER DOOR MECHANISMS YET? I SEE A LARGE VOLUME OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THESE SIENNA AS WELL AS WITHIN THE NHTSA DATABASE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF THE VEHICLES' PASSENGERS, AS IT STANDS, A CATASTROPHE IS WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Official recalls
110V160000 · Structure
Apr 20, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE01036 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Oct 19, 2001 · Closed Feb 11, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
Illustration