The Toyota Sienna is a minivan model that effortlessly combines utility and comfort with assured performance.
With an expansive interior, the Sienna is the perfect car for ferrying the family on trips.
However, is it durable? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
Here is the short answer to how long Toyota Siennas last?
According to an iSeeCars study, the Toyota Sienna will likely last 200,000 miles. However, owners report that Toyota Siennas can last well over 300,000 miles, if given regular maintenance. This means you can get between 15 to 20 years of use from the vehicle.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Toyota Sienna?
Compared to rivals such as the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna has a plain design and limited advanced features.
However, what the Sienna lacks in style and tech, it makes up for in durability and service life.
Many owners say you can get up 200,000 to 300,000 miles on the Toyota Sienna.
But in order to get 300K miles from on your Toyota Sienna you need to know what year of Toyota Sienna to buy (and some to avoid)
According to users, regular maintenance is key to increasing the lifespan of the minivan. Fluid changes, filter replacements, etc., should be done as specified in the service manual.
Also, another tactic that can get you maximum miles from your Toyota Sienna is fixing problems as soon as they appear.
Ignoring problems because the vehicle is still in excellent condition will only lead to more problems in the long run.
Say the “Check Engine” light on your Sienna comes on; you should inspect the engine, as anything could be wrong with it.
Maybe the ECU detected that the engine is running rich. If the engine continues to run rich, the catalytic converters may overheat and melt, leading to their failure.
How Soon Should You Expect Rust on A Toyota Sienna?
Judging by customer reports, you can expect rust to appear on your Toyota Sienna within the first three to five years.
The rust may come on faster on your vehicle, particularly if you live in an area where roads are salted.
A Toyota Sienna owner living in one of such areas reported seeing rust as early as four months.
However, living in the “Rust Belt” does not doom your Sienna vehicle to a lifetime of rust. As long as you prevent the salt particles from sticking to the car, rust will be minimal.
Regular car washes, especially in winter, will eliminate corrosive salt elements from your Sienna’s components.
Some Sienna owners also advise getting your vehicle rustproofed, as it will prevent corrosion. You can even get an anti-rust chemical and do the rustproofing yourself to save money.
Below are some common rust-prone areas on Toyota Sienna models:
- Door area
- Hatch
- Rear quarter panel
- Tailgate/bumper
- Wheel wells
- Suspension parts
- Hood, rear fenders
Please also read our article about driving the Toyota Sienna in snow and winter.
How Long Do Toyota Sienna Last Compared to Similar Car Models?
The Toyota Sienna is built to last long. But how does its lifespan compare to that of segment competition?
Below, we compare the Toyota Sienna to its rivals:
Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey
The Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey come with the same basic 36,000-mile warranty and 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Both models can provide over 300,000 miles of service, subject to maintenance and pattern of use.
Our research shows that there’s little to suggest any factors will cause either of these models to outlast the other.
Both have similar maintenance costs: the Sienna costs an average of $554 to maintain, while the Odyssey costs $547.
The Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey made the iSeeCars list of cars people keep the longest.
This only shows that the two models are equal in terms of longevity. We would advise to buy any of the two if you want a minivan that can last the distance.
Toyota Sienna vs. Dodge Grand Caravan
Like the Toyota Sienna, the Dodge Grand Caravan has been a trusty hauler for American families for years. It provides exceptional reliability as well, especially when carefully maintained.
However, the Dodge Grand Caravan cannot match the Toyota Sienna’s maximum service life of 300,000 miles. You can get 250,000 miles easily, but 300,000 miles would be a lucky feat on a Dodge Grand Caravan.
The Toyota Sienna will cost you lesser in terms of maintenance-related expenses over the long term.
With the Sienna, you get to pay an average of $554 annually for servicing. In comparison, you have to spend $647 in annual maintenance costs for the Dodge Caravan.
Better fuel efficiency means that the Toyota Sienna also has lower ownership costs than the Dodge Grand Caravan.
While the Grand Caravan can go just 20 miles on a gallon of fuel, the Sienna can go reach 22 miles on the same gallon.
Although the Dodge Grand Caravan is over $3,000 cheaper, we will advise buying Sienna, as it is the better long-term choice.
With its durability and great gas mileage, you will get your money’s worth.
Make sure to also read our article on 11 Toyota Sienna statistics.
How Reliable Is a Toyota Sienna?
Reliability is a big concern for buyers of minivans, as these vehicles are put to rigorous use throughout the year.
To prevent defects, Toyota subjects the Sienna models to a rigid quality control process that promotes greater reliability.
Thanks to its reliability, the Toyota Sienna can stay in prime condition for years. There are many reports of owners who have high-mileage Siennas and have done little repairs, asides regular maintenance.
J.D. Power, the industry leader in rating reliability on vehicles, gives the Sienna high marks for dependability. It ranked the vehicle the second most reliable minivan in 2019.
One year later, the organization rated the Sienna as the most reliable minivan in its 2020 US Vehicle Dependability Study.
The Best and Worst Years For Toyota Sienna
According to Car Complaints, the worst year on record for the Toyota Sienna is the 2007 model year. Some widespread problems facing these models include:
1. Transmission issues: The transmission on the 2007 Siennas were prone to several problems.
For example, some owners reported that the transmission made weird noises and slipped on occasions.
In severe cases, the vehicles could experience premature transmission failure, and require thousands of dollars to fix.
Another transmission-related problem on the 2007 Siennas was loss of power after slowing down.
Reportedly, the car’s gears would slip when decelerating such that they failed to engage when the driver attempts to accelerate again. When the gears engaged, they did slowly, and caused the vehicle to lurch forward.
2. Engine issues: The engines of some 2007 models consumed excessive amounts of oil and produced copious amounts of smoke. Owners also reported cases of engine rattling that decreased ride comfort and quality.
The trio of 2016, 2018, and 2019 jointly hold the crown for the best Sienna model year.
These cars have the fewest reported problems and benefited immensely from the introduction of features that helped improve performance and ride comfort.
What About Recalls for These Models?
The Toyota Sienna has been involved in 41 recall actions since it started production. To help you, we have ranked the model years by the number of recalls:
- 2011: 13 recalls
- 2005: 12 recalls
- 2006: 11 recalls
- 2004: 10 recalls
- 2007: 10 recalls
- 2009: 10 recalls
- 2008: 9 recalls
- 2010: 8 recalls
- 2012: 7 recalls
- 2015: 4 recalls
- 2013: 4 recalls
- 2014: 4 recalls
- 1998: 3 recalls
- 2001: 2 recalls
- 2016: 2 recalls
- 2000: 1 recall
- 2018: 1 recall
- 2002: 1 recall
- 2003: 1 recall
Toyota Sienna Model Year List
Here are the model years for the Toyota Sienna:
First Generation
- 1998 Toyota Sienna
- 1999 Toyota Sienna
- 2000 Toyota Sienna
- 2001 Toyota Sienna
- 2002 Toyota Sienna
- 2003 Toyota Sienna
Second Generation
- 2004 Toyota Sienna
- 2005 Toyota Sienna
- 2006 Toyota Sienna
- 2007 Toyota Sienna
- 2008 Toyota Sienna
- 2009 Toyota Sienna
- 2010 Toyota Sienna
Third Generation
- 2011 Toyota Sienna
- 2012 Toyota Sienna
- 2013 Toyota Sienna
- 2014 Toyota Sienna
- 2015 Toyota Sienna
- 2016 Toyota Sienna
Fourth Generation
- 2017 Toyota Sienna
- 2018 Toyota Sienna
- 2019 Toyota Sienna
- 2020 Toyota Sienna
Also check our article on where Toyota Siennas are made.
Are Toyota Sienna Expensive to Maintain?
For a minivan model, the Toyota Sienna has reasonable maintenance costs.
RepairPal estimates owners will spend an average of $554 annually on servicing their Siennas. This is a lot cheaper compared to the segment average, which is about $647.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
Depending on how often you use the brakes, the brake pads on your Toyota Sienna should last between 30,000 miles to 60,000 miles. Brake rotors can last up to 70,000 miles, with proper maintenance.
On your Toyota Sienna, you will spend $440-$547 to replace brake rotors and $242-$280 to replace brake pads, if either wears out.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
Tires can last up to 60,000 miles, but this depends on how hard you drive. Rotating your tires every 5,000 miles will prolong their lifespan.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
The lifespan of your Sienna’s transmission depends on how much maintenance it gets and what kind of driving it is used for.
Generally, the transmission on many Sienna models can last up to 130,000 to 180,000 miles.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
From our research, the spark plugs on your Sienna will need replacement between 70,000 and 100,000 miles.
What About Insurance Cost?
The average annual insurance cost for the Toyota Sienna stands at $1,788, which means you will pay about $149 in insurance per month.
Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Toyota Sienna
Here are ways to prolong the lifespan of your Toyota Sienna:
- Change oil regularly and replace filters when needed.
- Rotate your tires as recommended; replace them if worn.
- Protect your car against rust by washing it regularly and storing it in a garage. Paying for a professional rustproofing procedure will also eliminate the possibility of corrosion.
- Fix problems as soon as they come up, regardless of whether or not the vehicle is running fine.
Resources
https://repairpal.com/reliability/toyota/sienna.amp
https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/sienna-2020
https://m.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sienna/