VehicleVerdict

2002 Toyota Sienna problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 Toyota Sienna sits mid-pack among Sienna years: 225 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 237, with a single recall and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (42), latches & locks (27), and electrical system (26), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

225

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Sienna years?

Sienna NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sienna years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Toyota Sienna problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure4219%
Latches & Locks2712%
Brakes2612%
Electrical System2612%
Engine198%
Tires & Wheels178%
Transmission136%
Speed Control104%
Steering104%
Airbags73%
Seat Belts73%
Fuel System52%
Other52%
Suspension42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Lighting21%
Seats10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2002 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.

“PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR JAMMED, WOULD NOT OPEN AFTER SLOW SPEED CRASH WHICH KNOCKED OFF THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. TOYOTA OF SANTA BARBARA, CA TOOK A WEEK AND CHARGED $2500 TO FIX JUST THE POWER ELECTRICAL DOOR, NO BODY WORK (THAT WAS EXTRA). DOOR HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY EVER SINCE. MANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 11, 2010 · crash

“THE LEFT SLIDING DOOR STOPPED HALFWAY WHEN CLOSING AND MOVED BACK TO FULLY OPEN POSITION. REPEATED TRIES DID NOT WORK AND SO HAD TO MANUALLY CLOSE THE DOOR. AFTER THAT THE PWR DOOR ICON ON THE DISPLAY LIT UP SHOWING A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER DOOR. TAKING TO THE MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE MOTOR IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · November 17, 2007

“WE HAVE OWNED THIS 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA SINCE 2002. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS SQUEALED WHEN STOPPING GRADUALLY, AND THE DEALER SAID THAT SIENNA BRAKES ALL SQUEAL. THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY A FEW INSTANCES OVER THE PREVIOUS 9 YEARS WHEN THE ABS HAS ACTIVATED AND I HAD ALWAYS FELT THAT THE ABS ON THIS WAS MUCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 3, 2011 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY COMMING FROM DEALERSHIP WITH A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. SMOKE WAS COMMING FROM ENGINE DEPARTMENT. THEN, THE FIAMES STARTED COMING FROM HOOD. VEHICLE BURNED DOWN TO THE GROUND AND WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLERM.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 22, 2001 · fire

“PURCHASE 2002 SIENNA CE IN JUNE 2002. HAVE LEAK IN TOP RADIATOR HOSE WHERE IT JOINS THE ENGINE. LOOSES COOLANT OVER SEVERAL WEEKS. BROUGHT TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE HOSE. INSTALLED A NEW CLAMP. NOW 3 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM IS BACK. I BELIEVE THIS IS A BAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 16, 2004

2002 Toyota Sienna — common questions

Is the 2002 Toyota Sienna reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sienna: 225 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2002 Sienna problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (42 complaints), latches & locks (27 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints).

Does the 2002 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2002 Toyota Sienna. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Toyota Sienna under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.