What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Sienna?

Owners point to the structure group first, with 962 complaints. Latches, locks and linkages come next with 308. The stories we read often involve sliding doors.

Does the 2004 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists 10 recalls for 2004. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.

How many complaints are there for the 2004 Toyota Sienna?

NHTSA has 2,062 owner complaints on file. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Toyota Sienna?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is 2004 the best year for the Toyota Sienna?

See the by-year comparison section on this page to compare complaints and recalls across model years.

2004 Toyota Sienna Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 2,062 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Toyota Sienna^[1]. The biggest group names the structure component, with 962 complaints^[2].

2,062owner complaints^[1]

10recalls^[3]

18–20MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across many parts of this minivan. Here are the biggest groups, largest first.

Structure. 962 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe sliding doors that jam, fail to open, or close on passengers, including children. Some say the dealer could not repeat the problem.
Latches/Locks/Linkages. 308 complaints^[5]. Owners describe manual sliding doors that do not stay latched open, so the door rolls shut on people getting out. Some say a new latch did not cure it.
Steering. 159 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a loose, vague feel that needs constant correction, plus noise, uneven tire wear and power steering that turned stiff.
Electrical System. 132 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a battery saver feature that did not turn off the interior lights, which left the battery dead. Some also describe stalling.
Tires. 124 complaints^[8].
Speed Control. 111 complaints^[9].
Seat Belts. 98 complaints^[10].
Power Train. 89 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2004 Sienna is necessarily included.

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire (14V273), May 2014. About 419,520 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (13V429), September 2013. About 614,722 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Engine And Engine Cooling (11V539), November 2011. About 420,326 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Structure (10V160), April 2010. About 600,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, parts separating.^[15]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V036), February 2010. About 153,418 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Equipment › Other › Labels (09V234), June 2009. About 2,204 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (09V023), January 2009. About 26,501 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate (08V244), June 2008. About 196,222 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.^[19]
Seat Belts (05V327), July 2005. About 345,443 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[20]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (03V291), August 2003. About 34,437 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.^[21]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Sienna 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Sienna 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[22]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 5 HB AWD/RWD^[23].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
SIENNA AWD /LE/XLE^[24]	200 in	78 in	69 in	119 in	4,365 lb
SIENNA FWD /CE/LE^[25]	200 in	78 in	69 in	119 in	4,123 lb

How 2004 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sienna model year. The 2004 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1998	294	2
1999	215	2
2000	363	1
2001	180	2
2002	181	1
2003	105	1
2004	2,062	10
2005	1,130	12
2006	1,017	11
2007	364	10
2008	429	9
2009	207	10
2010	172	8
2011	615	14
2012	247	9
2013	183	6
2014	163	6
2015	233	6
2016	76	5
2017	155	10
2018	72	7
2019	45	7
2020	38	2
2021	45	4
2022	21	4
2023	71	2
2024	69	3
2025	267	5
2026	17	0

NHTSA's counts for the Sienna show 2,062 complaints and 10 recalls for 2004^[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 28 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 0 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (17) and the most are for 2004 (2,062)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2004 Sienna?

The stories we read for this Sienna often involve sliding doors. The structure and latch groups together have the most complaints on file^[2]^[5]. Steering and electrical issues follow behind^[6]^[7]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for how many vans were sold^[1]. If you are shopping for one, check that every door opens, latches and closes properly before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Sienna?: Owners point to the structure group first, with 962 complaints^[2]. Latches, locks and linkages come next with 308^[5]. The stories we read often involve sliding doors.
Does the 2004 Toyota Sienna have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists 10 recalls for 2004^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.
How many complaints are there for the 2004 Toyota Sienna?: NHTSA has 2,062 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified and not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Toyota Sienna?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is 2004 the best year for the Toyota Sienna?: See the by-year comparison section on this page to compare complaints and recalls across model years^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Sienna

2004 this page
2005 1,130 complaints, 12 recalls
2011 615 complaints, 14 recalls
2012 247 complaints, 9 recalls
2013 183 complaints, 6 recalls
2014 163 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 233 complaints, 6 recalls
2025 267 complaints, 5 recalls
2026 17 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Toyota Sienna

Other Toyota models from 2004

2004 Toyota 4Runner 678 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Toyota Avalon 205 complaints, 3 recalls
2004 Toyota Sequoia 380 complaints, 6 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2004: minivans

2004 Chevrolet Venture 124 complaints, 3 recalls

All minivans we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 2,062 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Toyota Sienna (51 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 180 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
962 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 95 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,750). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Sienna model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sienna 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
308 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 34 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
159 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
132 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
124 complaints name the tires component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,000). NHTSA vehicle records
111 complaints name the speed control component group (26 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,896). NHTSA vehicle records
98 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,500). NHTSA vehicle records
89 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,250). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V273, filed May 22, 2014: Tires › Temporary / Emergency Spare Tire. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V429, filed September 26, 2013: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V539, filed November 9, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V160, filed April 20, 2010: Structure. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V234, filed June 25, 2009: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V023, filed January 16, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 08V244, filed June 3, 2008: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
Recall 05V327, filed July 20, 2005: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V291, filed August 12, 2003: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sienna 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB AWD/RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA AWD /LE/XLE: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,365 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA FWD /CE/LE: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,123 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2004 Toyota Sienna: problems, recalls and fuel economy