EngineHigh
Rubber oil-supply hose (VVT) leak on early cars (recall).
- Typically appears
- Age-related
- What to inspect
- Confirm the oil-hose recall was completed.
- Typical repair
- Water-ingress trace & seal · £150–£800
Is the 2011–2020 Toyota Sienna reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
4.8/ 10
Buy with cautionOn our documented-fault scoring the Toyota Sienna rates 4.8 out of 10 · buy with caution. We hold 8 known faults for it and 2 are rated high severity, so the risk is real but contained. The weak points cluster around engine, body and interior. A well-serviced example with evidence for the big-ticket items is usually a safe buy; the score describes the model, not the specific car in front of you.
Verdict · Walk unless the history is spotless
What the score is built from
- Critical
- 0
- High
- 2
- Medium
- 5
- Low
- 1
Weak points cluster around engine, body, interior, brakes.
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Check this carThe faults that decide it
EngineHigh
Coolant leak and whining noise from the auxiliary belt area due to water pump bearing failure.
- Typically appears
- 60,000-90,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Open the bonnet and shine a torch down the right side of the engine block. Look for a build-up of dried, pink coolant crust around the water pump pulley.
- Typical repair
- Cooling component replacement · £220–£750
BodyMedium
Power sliding door cable / motor failure.
- Typically appears
- 70,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Cycle both power doors several times and listen for grinding.
- Typical repair
- Door / window mechanism · £130–£600
BrakesMedium
Brake actuator / ABS sensor faults triggering warning lights.
- Typically appears
- 90,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Scan for ABS/VSC codes on the test drive.
- Typical repair
- Brakes (discs, pads, caliper) · £200–£800
TransmissionMedium
Hesitation, surging, or harsh gear engagements at low speeds on 2017 onwards models with the 8-speed automatic gearbox.
- Typically appears
- 20,000-50,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Conduct a low-speed test drive at 10-20 mph. Repeatedly apply and release the throttle to see if the gearbox clunks or hesitates when deciding which gear to select.
- Typical repair
- Automatic gearbox service or rebuild · £350–£3,000
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
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