VehicleVerdict

2000 Toyota Sienna problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 459 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Sienna year — the 2000 model ranks #6 of 25 Sienna years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (71), transmission (70), and body & structure (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

459

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Sienna years?

Sienna NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted2,588 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 352 complaints1999: 250 complaints2000: 459 complaints2001: 238 complaints2002: 225 complaints2003: 124 complaints2004: 2,588 complaints2005: 1,418 complaints2006: 1,284 complaints2007: 450 complaints2008: 570 complaints2009: 270 complaints2010: 227 complaints2011: 813 complaints2012: 331 complaints2013: 226 complaints2014: 207 complaints2015: 291 complaints2016: 98 complaints2017: 199 complaints2018: 85 complaints2019: 58 complaints2020: 48 complaints
Sienna NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sienna years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Toyota Sienna problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7115%
Transmission7015%
Body & Structure5211%
Tires & Wheels4911%
Brakes419%
Latches & Locks378%
Seat Belts235%
Electrical System204%
Speed Control204%
Other184%
Visibility & Wipers163%
Suspension143%
Steering61%
Seats61%
Airbags61%
Fuel System51%
Lighting41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2000 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V160000Body & StructureApril 20, 2010 · 600,000 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I DROVE MY VAN FROM WORK TO MY HOUSE WHICH IS AROUND 18 MILES. WHEN I GOT HOME I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY GOT OUT AND PULLED MY BABY OUT OF HER CAR SEAT. WITHIN A FEW MINS THE SMOKE INCREASED BY A LOT AND I CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED THE VAN WAS COMPLETELY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 14, 2014 · fire

“I BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A TRASH CAN IN THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY, SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HOPPED OUT TO MOVE THE CAN. I TURNED TO GET BACK IN THE CAR AND FOUND IT MOVING FORWARD UP THE DRIVEWAY. I CHASED THE CAR UP THE DRIVEWAY. IT RAN OVER A JOGGERBUGGY AND STRUCK A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 14, 2004 · crash

“ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE DEER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. RAN OFF INTO DITCH FLIPPED OVER AND WAS TRAPPED. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN WHEN THE FIRE DEPT CUT ME OUT. THEY HAD TO CUT THE STEERING WHEEL OFF MY LEGS. NO AIRBAG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 6, 2012 · crash

“TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE IS OUR FAULT DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES. WE DON'T HAVE ALL OUR RECEPTS BUT CHANGED THE OIL AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE WE OWNED THE CAR. IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE THAT WE WERE NEGLECTFUL, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM SEEING SO MANY OTHER CASES WITH THE SAME THING HAPPENING.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 15, 2000

“LOCATION-PARKING LOT, RAINING, TIRES LOST TRACTION AND ACCELERATOR STUCK ON FULL, BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE PROPELLED FORWARD GLANCING OFF THE BACK OF A FULL SIZED PICKUP AND DEFLECTED INTO A SUBURBAN WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN VERY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 20, 1999 · crash

2000 Toyota Sienna — common questions

Is the 2000 Toyota Sienna reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 459 complaints put the 2000 model at #6 of 25 Sienna years. It is one of the Sienna years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Sienna problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (71 complaints), transmission (70 complaints), body & structure (52 complaints).

Does the 2000 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2000 Toyota Sienna. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Toyota Sienna under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Sienna years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sienna years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2008, 2000, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Sienna years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.