VehicleVerdict

2003 Toyota Sienna problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2003 Toyota Sienna is among the quieter years of the Sienna on NHTSA's books: 124 complaints (48% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across latches & locks (21), body & structure (19), and brakes (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

124

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Sienna years?

Sienna NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sienna years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Toyota Sienna problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Latches & Locks2117%
Body & Structure1915%
Brakes1411%
Speed Control119%
Transmission108%
Tires & Wheels86%
Engine65%
Electrical System65%
Seat Belts54%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Fuel System43%
Other43%
Steering43%
Suspension43%
Airbags22%
Seats11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 2003 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.

“UPON DEPRESSING THE BUTTON FOR BOTH SLIDING DOORS CONSUMER HAS TO PUT BODY AGAINST IT TO MAKE IT DISENGAGE. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CLOSING THE DOOR. THE EXTERNAL HANDLER WILL NOT RELEASE THE LOCK TO OPEN THE DOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD THE DOORS GREASED. BUT, IT DID NOT HELP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · August 31, 2004

“I OWN TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 CE. I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR FROM INSIDE. THIS IS BEEN PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT THAT EVERY TIME SOME ONE HAS TO STEP OUT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. THIS CAN BE SOME TIME SAFETY ISSUE IF DRIVER HAS TO STEP OUT TO OPEN PASSENGER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 3, 2010

“HERE IS A LIST OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS INDICATING MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ON MY TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CURRENT MODELS RECALLED BY TOYOTA MOTORS DO NOT COVER ALL VEHICLES WITH DEFECTS. BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, TOYOTA MOTORS HAVE A LOT OF LYING EMPLOYEES IN THEIR AUTHORIZED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 15, 2010 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACTS HOME. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE CONTACT DIDN'T SAY IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 31, 2010 · crash

“MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS HAS STARTED EXPERIENCING A HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TOOK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK, AND THEY UPDATED WITH THE PATCH. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER IS CALLING IT A "HARD SHIFT" THAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T DO IT THE FIRST 2…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 11, 2007

2003 Toyota Sienna — common questions

Is the 2003 Toyota Sienna reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 124 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sienna year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2003 Sienna problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are latches & locks (21 complaints), body & structure (19 complaints), brakes (14 complaints).

Does the 2003 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 Toyota Sienna. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.