CarBrief

The 2013 Toyota Sienna has 183 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. It also has six recalls, so check the VIN for open ones[2].

183owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[3]
4★NHTSA overall rating[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 183 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Sienna[1]. Of those, 7 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 9 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The biggest groups by number of complaints:

We also read a small sample of complaint texts in four of these groups. In a sample of 12 structure complaints we read, 8 mention the power sliding doors, such as a door that would not open, would not close or would not latch[5].. Four of the 12 say the owner got the sliding door recall notice but was told repair parts were not available[5]. Electrical complaints show a similar pattern. In a sample of 12, 8 are about sliding door faults, including a stuck door and a burned door wire[8]. Two describe warning lights together with brake or steering trouble[8].

In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 8 are about the air bag recall, mostly owners unsure whether their van is covered or waiting on parts[7]. Two describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash, and two mention the air bag warning light[7].

In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 11 describe noise from the rear differential or its coupling[9]. Owners describe an expensive repair[9]. The sample is small, so treat it as a pointer and not as a rate.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 Sienna[2]. Newest first:

Our data does not show whether a specific van has had these recalls done. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a Toyota dealer before you buy or while you own one.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2013 Sienna:

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.7L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive[3] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
3.5L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive[19] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200
3.5L 6-cylinder, all-wheel drive[20] 16 / 23 / 19 $3,550

All three use regular fuel and an Automatic (S6) transmission. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new. All-wheel drive costs about 2 MPG combined compared with front-wheel drive[19][20].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2013 Sienna 4 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crashes, 5 stars for side crashes and 4 stars for rollover[4][21]. The ratings are the same for front-wheel drive[21] and all-wheel drive[4]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 14.0% for both[4][21].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for this model year. The 2.7L 4-cylinder is rated 187 hp[22]. The 3.5L 6-cylinder is rated 266 hp[23].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US vans. Length is 200 in, width is 78 in and wheelbase is 119 in for every variant listed[24][25][26][27][28].

Variant Height Curb weight
LE FWD 4CYL[25] 69 in 4,189 lb
V6 / LE V6 / SE V6 FWD[26] 71 in 4,332 lb
XLE FWD V6[28] 71 in 4,453 lb
LE AWD[24] 71 in 4,508 lb
XLE AWD V6[27] 71 in 4,663 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

1998: 294 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 215 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 363 complaints, 1 recalls2001: 180 complaints, 2 recalls20012002: 181 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 105 complaints, 1 recalls2004: 2,062 complaints, 10 recalls20042005: 1,130 complaints, 12 recalls2006: 1,017 complaints, 11 recalls2007: 364 complaints, 10 recalls20072008: 429 complaints, 9 recalls2009: 207 complaints, 10 recalls2010: 172 complaints, 8 recalls20102011: 615 complaints, 14 recalls2012: 247 complaints, 9 recalls2013: 183 complaints, 6 recalls18320132014: 163 complaints, 6 recalls2015: 233 complaints, 6 recalls2016: 76 complaints, 5 recalls20162017: 155 complaints, 10 recalls2018: 72 complaints, 7 recalls2019: 45 complaints, 7 recalls20192020: 38 complaints, 2 recalls2021: 45 complaints, 4 recalls2022: 21 complaints, 4 recalls20222023: 71 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 69 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 267 complaints, 5 recalls20252026: 17 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sienna model year. The 2013 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19982942
19992152
20003631
20011802
20021811
20031051
20042,06210
20051,13012
20061,01711
200736410
20084299
200920710
20101728
201161514
20122479
20131836
20141636
20152336
2016765
201715510
2018727
2019457
2020382
2021454
2022214
2023712
2024693
20252675
2026170

NHTSA's list covers Sienna model years 1998 to 2026. The 2013 model has 183 complaints and 6 recalls[2]. Thirteen model years have more complaints, and 15 have fewer[2]. The highest are 2004 with 2,062 complaints, 2005 with 1,130 and 2006 with 1,017, then 2011 with 615[2]. For recalls, 12 model years have more than 6 and 14 have fewer[2]. The 2014 and 2015 models also have 6[2].

Next to it, 2012 has 247 complaints and 9 recalls, and 2014 has 163 complaints and 6 recalls[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so use them to compare years of the same model only.

Should you buy a used 2013 Sienna?

The 2013 Sienna sits near the middle of its own model line for both complaints and recalls[2]. The recalls deserve the most attention. Four of the six involve air bags or air bag sensing and one involves the power sliding door[13][15][16][17][18]. Run the VIN and confirm each one was done. In the complaint samples we read, sliding door faults and, among power train complaints, rear differential noise stood out[5][8][9]. Ask a mechanic about the rear differential, and test the sliding doors in person. Fuel economy is 21 MPG combined on front-wheel-drive versions and 19 on all-wheel drive[3][19][20], and the safety ratings are 4 stars overall[4][21].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Sienna?
Structure is the largest complaint group with 44 of 183 NHTSA complaints[1][5]. In a sample we read, 8 of 12 structure complaints were about the power sliding doors[5].
Does the 2013 Toyota Sienna have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, including air bag inflator recalls 19V741, 19V005 and 18V024 and sliding door recall 16V858[13][15][16][17][2].
How many MPG does a 2013 Toyota Sienna get?
EPA rates the front-wheel-drive versions at 21 MPG combined[3][19]. The all-wheel-drive V6 is rated 19 MPG combined[20].
How safe is the 2013 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side crashes[4][21].
Is 2013 a good year for the Toyota Sienna?
It has 183 complaints, with 13 model years higher and 15 lower, and 6 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 183 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Toyota Sienna (7 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Sienna model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Sienna 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 44 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 33 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 22 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 22 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 14 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 12 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 11 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 9 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V553, filed July 25, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V005, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V024, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V858, filed November 29, 2016: Structure › Body › Door . NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 13V014, filed January 16, 2013: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Sienna 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Sienna AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Toyota Sienna with 2.7L 4-cylinder: rated 187 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Toyota Sienna with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 266 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA LE AWD: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,508 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA LE FWD 4CYL: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,189 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA V6/LE V6/SE V6 FWD: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,332 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA XLE AWD V6: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,663 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA XLE FWD V6: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,453 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.