CarBrief

The 2015 Toyota Sienna has 233 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and six recalls[2]. The 2015 Toyota Sienna has 233 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. The biggest of its six recalls, for the power sliding door, is worth checking first[3][2].

233owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 233 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Sienna[1]. Of those, 17 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 28 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Component group Complaints
Structure[6] 61
Electrical system[7] 44
Unknown or other[8] 44
Brakes[9] 18
Engine[10] 16
Wheels[11] 14
Power train[12] 12
Steering[13] 11

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. That is not enough to say how common any problem is, but it shows what owners describe.

Structure. In the 12 structure complaints we read, 10 involve the power sliding door or a door latch[6]. Eight say the recall repair parts were not yet available when they wrote[6]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 23,350[6].

Electrical. In the electrical sample, 4 of 12 describe a cruise control stalk light that flickers at night, and 2 say the dark gauges are hard to read in bright sun[7]. Two of the 12 describe a vehicle fire[7]. The group lists 4 fires in total[7].

Engine. In the engine sample, 3 of 12 describe fire or smoke in the engine area, 3 describe stalling or slow response, and 2 describe a misfire or lost cylinder compression[10]. The engine group lists 4 fires among 16 complaints[10].

Brakes. In the brake sample, 4 of 12 describe shaking or vibration when braking, and 4 say the front rotors were found warped[9]. Two of the 12 describe the brakes not responding as expected[9]. The brake group has 2 crashes and 3 injuries among 18 complaints[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists six recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first, with the unit counts NHTSA gives for each.

The two 2019 recalls apply only to converted wheelchair or mobility vans, not to a standard Sienna[14][15]. Ask a dealer to check the VIN to see whether a specific van is covered.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists two versions of the 3.5L 6-cylinder automatic (S6), both on regular fuel[4][19].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, front-wheel drive[4] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200
AWD, all-wheel drive[19] 16 / 23 / 19 $3,550

The fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new. Choosing all-wheel drive costs about 2 MPG combined[4][19].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions the same ratings: 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[5][20]. Rollover risk is 14.0% for both[5][20].

Engine and size

The EPA test list shows a 3.5L 6-cylinder rated 266 hp[21].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
LE AWD[22] 200 in 78 in 71 in 119 in 4,508 lb
LE/SE/Limited FWD[23] 200 in 78 in 71 in 119 in 4,277 lb
XLE AWD V6[24] 200 in 78 in 71 in 119 in 4,663 lb

How 2015 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 recalls20132014: 163 complaints, 6 recalls2015: 233 complaints, 6 recalls23320152016: 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 2015 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 lists 233 complaints and 6 recalls for 2015[2]. Next to it, 2013 has 183 complaints and 6 recalls, 2014 has 163 and 6, and 2016 has 76 and 5[2]. Among the model years from 2011 to 2019, only 2011 (615 complaints, 14 recalls) and 2012 (247 complaints, 9 recalls) have more complaints than 2015[2]. The early 2000s are higher still, with 2004 at 2,062 complaints[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so use them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2015 Sienna?

The 2015 Sienna has a good overall crash rating[5][20] and a moderate complaint count compared with the 2011 and 2012 model years[2]. The sliding door recall is the main thing to check. Look up the VIN and confirm the remedy has been done[3]. In the complaints we read, owners also mention flickering cruise control lights, brake shake from warped rotors and engine fires, though these are small samples[7][9][10]. Engine fires are listed in 4 complaints, so ask about service history[10]. Drop the final sentence, since fuel costs are already in the fuel section.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota Sienna?
Structure has the most complaints at 61, then electrical and unknown or other at 44 each[6][7][8]. In a sample of structure complaints we read, power sliding door problems stand out[6].
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Sienna have?
NHTSA lists six recalls for this model year[2]. The largest covers 744,437 vehicles for the power sliding door[3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2015 Toyota Sienna?
The EPA rates the 2WD at 21 MPG combined and the AWD at 19 MPG combined[4][19].
How safe is the 2015 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal and rollover and 5 stars side[5][20].
How does 2015 compare with other Sienna years?
It has 233 complaints, versus 163 for 2014 and 76 for 2016[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 233 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota Sienna (17 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 28 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Sienna model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 16V858, filed November 29, 2016: Structure › Body › Door . NHTSA recall database
  4. 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
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 61 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,350). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 44 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 44 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 18 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,087). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 16 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,325). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 14 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 12 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 11 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 19V553, filed July 25, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V410, filed June 4, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 15V240, filed April 22, 2015: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 15V236, filed April 21, 2015: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 14V757, filed November 26, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  19. 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
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Toyota Sienna with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 266 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. 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
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SIENNA LE/SE/LIMITED FWD: length 200 in, width 78 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,277 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. 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

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.