IllustrationThe head gasket that was repaired failed and the radiator system also failed. Im not sure if these issues are dealer related or manufacture related as i spoke to the previous owner and they stated they had the vehicle serviced at a manufacturer prior to doing a trade in with the dealer
2008 Toyota Sienna
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sienna years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Sienna are substantially higher than 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
540–25K
5525–50K
6650–75K
7875–100K
71100–150K
34150K+
358 reports with mileage · 71 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 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
37 crash reports4 fire reports17 injury reports
Engine complaints
39 reportsThe contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while pulling into a grocery store, he heard an abnormal ticking sound. The contact stated upon parking and inspecting the outside of the vehicle, he noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground. Additionally, the oil dipstick was dry upon inspecting the oil level.…
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The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while pulling into a grocery store, he heard an abnormal ticking sound. The contact stated upon parking and inspecting the outside of the vehicle, he noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground. Additionally, the oil dipstick was dry upon inspecting the oil level. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where oil was added in the vehicle and the contact drove to his residence. However, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust cam gear had fractured, causing damage to the engine and other unnamed components. The dealer diagnosed that the engine, the exhaust cam gear, and the timing chain needed to be replaced, and additional unknown repairs were also needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Toyota Extended Warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the vehicle manufactured date. The failure mileage was approximately 204,000.
CAR SPEED VARIES WHEN DOING A MODERATE SPEED EXAMPLE 40 MPH SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE ITS ENGINE SLIPS AND SPEED SLOWS CAR JUMPS FORWARD FEELS LIKE ENGINE SLIPS OR GEAR SHIFTS. ENGINE BOGS DOWN OR SOMETIMES REVS UP A LITTLE..SCARES ME SOMETIMES BUT NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT ON AND OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENT. AT ANY TIME THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. IT IS NERVE BREAKING KNOWING THAT THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED BY TOYOTA. I HAVE MY TOYOTA SIENNA 2008 AND IT HAVE A VERY LOW MILES DUE TO LIGHTS SAFETY REASONS THAT CAN NOT BE SOLVED BY T…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT ON AND OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENT. AT ANY TIME THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. IT IS NERVE BREAKING KNOWING THAT THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED BY TOYOTA. I HAVE MY TOYOTA SIENNA 2008 AND IT HAVE A VERY LOW MILES DUE TO LIGHTS SAFETY REASONS THAT CAN NOT BE SOLVED BY TOYOTA. EVERY TIME WE COMPLAIN, WE WERE ALWAYS TOLD THAT BRING THE CAR IN WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON IT WILL BE OFF WHEN WE GET TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE NOTICED WHEN THE CAR REACHED APPROXIMATELY 98,000 MILES. THE CAUSE OF THE ON AND OFF LIGHTS ARE UNKNOWN.
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY AUTISTIC CHILDREN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE VSC LIGHT AND THE TRAC OFF LIGHT ALL CAME ON AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THROUGH THE VAN INTO A DITCH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE FOR FAMILIES. I AM NOW KEEPING A LOG AND I DO PLAN ON RETAINING AN ATTORNEY AS NO ONE HAS…
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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY AUTISTIC CHILDREN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE VSC LIGHT AND THE TRAC OFF LIGHT ALL CAME ON AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THROUGH THE VAN INTO A DITCH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE FOR FAMILIES. I AM NOW KEEPING A LOG AND I DO PLAN ON RETAINING AN ATTORNEY AS NO ONE HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE AS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
LOWER OIL COOLER LINE DEVELOPED HOLE AND LEAKED ENGINE OIL WHILE IN MOTION ON COUNTY HIGHWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SHUDDERED BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF ORLANDO (3575 VINELAND RD, ORLANDO, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CAMSHAFT WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SHUDDERED BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF ORLANDO (3575 VINELAND RD, ORLANDO, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CAMSHAFT WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE IN 2011 AND THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. FURTHERMORE, IN 2016, THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
VVTI OIL LINE HAS LARGE HOLE ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAUSED VERY QUICK LOSS OF ALL OIL IN CAR. I WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. IF I HAD BEEN IN A WORSE POSITION, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE SEIZURE. THERE IS A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON THIS, MY VEHICLE HAD IT R…
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VVTI OIL LINE HAS LARGE HOLE ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAUSED VERY QUICK LOSS OF ALL OIL IN CAR. I WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. IF I HAD BEEN IN A WORSE POSITION, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE SEIZURE. THERE IS A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON THIS, MY VEHICLE HAD IT REPLACED IN 2014, AND IT FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE THEY PUT THE SAME FAULTY PART WITH RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR. IN 2010 THEY ACTUALLY RELEASED SAME ENGINE WITH AN ALL METAL OIL HOSE, BUT THATS NOT WHAT THEY REPLACED IT WITH ON THE TECHNICAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN.
THIS VEHICLE HAS 3 OPEN RECALLS ON IT I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN WOOSTER OHIO AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME IT WOULD TAKE A FEW HOURS TO DO ALL THE REPAIRS AND ID HAVE TO WAIT OR DROP IT OFF I AS A CUSTOMER FEEL ITS UNFAIR FOR TOYOTA TO MAKE A CUSTOMER WAIT FOR HOURS TO FIX REPAIRS THAT ARE FAULTS OF TH…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS 3 OPEN RECALLS ON IT I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN WOOSTER OHIO AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME IT WOULD TAKE A FEW HOURS TO DO ALL THE REPAIRS AND ID HAVE TO WAIT OR DROP IT OFF I AS A CUSTOMER FEEL ITS UNFAIR FOR TOYOTA TO MAKE A CUSTOMER WAIT FOR HOURS TO FIX REPAIRS THAT ARE FAULTS OF THE CAR MANUFACTUER I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR WHILE THE WORK IS COMPLETED THEY REFUSED SAYING THE ONLY WAY A LOANER IS GIVEN IS IS THE RECALL IS DOOR RELATED
MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN TO CREATE A SMOKE SCREEN IMPAIRING ME FROM HAVING A CLEAR VISUAL OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CHECK IF MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ONCE I INSPECTED THE OUTSIDE AND OPEN THE HOOD TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS ON FIRE I NOTICE A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE AN UPON F…
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MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN TO CREATE A SMOKE SCREEN IMPAIRING ME FROM HAVING A CLEAR VISUAL OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CHECK IF MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ONCE I INSPECTED THE OUTSIDE AND OPEN THE HOOD TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS ON FIRE I NOTICE A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE AN UPON FURTHER LOOK MY ENGINE MOTOR OIL COOLING HOSE HAD BURST, SPRAYING THE MOTOR AND EVERYTHING INSIDE WITH MOTOR OIL. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Official recalls
916V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
14V273000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
May 22, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: 2004-2010 Siennas subject to this recall were subject to recall campaign 10V-160 initiated in 2010. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles. Additionally, model year 1998-2003 Siennas were recalled as part of safety recall 10V-160. Owners of those vehicles that have not had not the remedy performed on their vehicles, should contact their Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.
13V429000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Sep 26, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
Remedy: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
09V234000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 25, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND THE GVWR ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INSUFFICIENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WERE ACCESSORIZED THROUGH VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTERS AND HAD ACCESSORIES INSTALLED THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE GVWR VALUE. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," AND 49 CFR PART 567.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE GVWR IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLES.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS INSTRUCTING THEM TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA OR LEXUS DEALER FOR AN EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AN INSTALLATION OF THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABEL, IF NECESSARY, AND A CORRECTION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.