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2003 Toyota Sienna

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 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

79 reports with mileage · 26 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.

  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

21 reports
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1,000,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING REAR DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING REAR DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10421116

102,000 miles · Feb 10, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR NOW WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS HANDICAPPED AND THIS IS THE EASIEST DOOR TO PUT HER IN THE CAR, SO AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CAR THAT HOLDS HER WHEELCHAIR IS COMPLETELY USELESS TO US. TOYOTA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. THIS…

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WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR NOW WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS HANDICAPPED AND THIS IS THE EASIEST DOOR TO PUT HER IN THE CAR, SO AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CAR THAT HOLDS HER WHEELCHAIR IS COMPLETELY USELESS TO US. TOYOTA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IS SHE WAS IN THE CAR AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND WE COULD NOT GET HER OUT???? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381391

115,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE HANDLE ON THE LIFT GATE FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BROKE OFF RIGHT IN MY HAND. THE GATE REMAINS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO OPEN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366761

90,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

BROKEN CABLE FOR SLIDING DOOR OF MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357050

106,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OPENING OR CLOSING THE TRUNK DOOR OF MY 2003 SIENNA VAN. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASE MY SIENNA IN 2007, I DID NOTICE THE TRUNK HANDLE, WHICH IS COVERED FROM ALL ELEMENTS, WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. TO SEE THE CORROSION YOU MUST GET ON YOUR KNEE AND LOOK UP PAST THE LICENSE PLATE OR OPEN THE TRUNK DOOR AND LOOK U…

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I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OPENING OR CLOSING THE TRUNK DOOR OF MY 2003 SIENNA VAN. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASE MY SIENNA IN 2007, I DID NOTICE THE TRUNK HANDLE, WHICH IS COVERED FROM ALL ELEMENTS, WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. TO SEE THE CORROSION YOU MUST GET ON YOUR KNEE AND LOOK UP PAST THE LICENSE PLATE OR OPEN THE TRUNK DOOR AND LOOK UP INTO THIS SAME GROOVE.. I INFORMED THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER ABOUT THE CORROSION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANT AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. AFTER A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE ON LABOR DAY, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE REAR SEAT TO UNLOAD THE VAN. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR. HOW CAN THAT PART BE TOTALLY CORRODED THE WAY IT IS COVER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354141

139,000 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructureInjury

OPENED TAIL GATE ON 03 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. REACHED IN TO GET SOMETHING AND GATE SUDDENLY CAME DOWN STRIKING ME ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD CAUSING A CONCUSSION. GAS STRUTS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347933

20,000 miles · Apr 19, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN, BOTH SLIDING DOORS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER SIDE STAYS SHUT ALWAYS AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER SLIDER WILL OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE IF YOU PLACE THE CHILDPROOF LOCK ON. THIS HAPPENED ON AND OFF AND GOT TO BE CONSTANT AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS UP. THIS…

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2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN, BOTH SLIDING DOORS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER SIDE STAYS SHUT ALWAYS AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER SLIDER WILL OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE IF YOU PLACE THE CHILDPROOF LOCK ON. THIS HAPPENED ON AND OFF AND GOT TO BE CONSTANT AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS UP. THIS IS NOT FROM WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS A KNOWN 'SIENNA PROBLEM FORUM' ISSUE AND EVERY TIME SOMEONE GOES TO TOYOTA, THEY DENY THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. DOES THAT SOUND FAMILIAR? IS IT SAFE WHEN YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF YOUR DOOR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326506

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

2003 SIENA, SLIDING DOORS DON'T WORK AT ALL. *DT

NHTSA ODI #10321390

40,000 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA CE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10296048

33,419 miles · Nov 19, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

CAR: TOYOTA SIENNA CE, 2003 RE: LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATA BASE REGARDING LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE. ON WHICH I ALSO HAVE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE A STICKY (INSIDE) DOOR RELEASE BUTTON PROBLEM. WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED, TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE BUTTON WILL NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION RESULTI…

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CAR: TOYOTA SIENNA CE, 2003 RE: LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATA BASE REGARDING LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE. ON WHICH I ALSO HAVE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE A STICKY (INSIDE) DOOR RELEASE BUTTON PROBLEM. WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED, TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE BUTTON WILL NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED (LATCHES WILL NOT ENGAGE TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT). I ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2005 (OTHER SLIDING DOOR), WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY (INVOICE #310955, 06DEC05). DRIVING WITH THE DOOR UN-LATCHED IS DANGEROUS AND IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED UNDER THIS HEADING (BUT UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF STICKY BUTTON WAS THE REAL PROBLEM), IN YOUR DATA BASE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA FIX THIS ITEM IF IT IS A PROBLEM. DEALER ESTIMATED COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS $170 (INVOICE #425596, 12NOV08). THEY INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE AND SUB-ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL IT NEEDS IS A NEW SPRING OF SOME SORT, BUT I MUST AGREE THAT I HAVE NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM OR HOW IT WORKS. THE HANDLE (NON-MOVING PART, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE) LOOKS GOOD AND IS NOT DAMAGED OR DIRTY IN ANY WAY (VISUAL INSPECTION). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249306

Official recalls

1

10V160000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.