The Lemon Index2005 Toyota Sienna.
The 2005 Toyota Sienna is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 244 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 219, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 18 to 19 mpg combined. The best Toyota Sienna year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,130 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Sienna year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 41K to 100K miles on the car (924 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 46K–95K miles
- doors, locks & latches complaints mostly came at 46K–83K miles
- seat belts complaints mostly came at 35K–90K miles
Recalls 12
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- seats 2014
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Show all 12 recalls
- tires 2014
The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carri.
- transmission & drivetrain 2013
In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
- engine 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES…
- body structure 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, I…
- equipment 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- equipment 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- equipment 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- body structure 2008
TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING 196,222 MY 2004-2006 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS.
- seat belts 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, IN THE MIDDLE ROW SEATING POSITION, THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT MAY BIND IN THE BEZEL TRIM PIECE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 246 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Back door stay leak and cold weather shudder improvement
- Sliding door rattle
- Door check popping noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedStabilus rear liftgate struts failing2012
- ClosedSteering intermediate shaft binding2008–2009
- ClosedUnexpected closing of power liftgate2006–2008
- ClosedTire pressure warning system failure2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2005 Toyota Sienna concerns with the run flat tire equipment and no spare tires.
2005 Toyota Sienna owner · NHTSA complaint 10130191
More owner reports
The power sliding door motor broke, leaving frayed parts of the cables hanging from the car. Dealer estimates a cost of close to 2,000. I only have 30k miles on the car and have not mistreated the door in anyway.
NHTSA complaint 10251413
Consumer passenger side rear tire deflated while driving. There were no warning lights, dealer informed consumer that there would be a warning light shown if pressure dropped to 5%.
NHTSA complaint 10155148
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Toyota Sienna reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 219; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Sienna year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota Sienna problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (40%), tires (19%) and doors, locks & latches (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Sienna have?
12 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Toyota Sienna get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Sienna problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,900 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 66,000 miles, from 924 complaints.
Does the 2005 Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Toyota Sienna cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Toyota Sienna have?
3.3L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Sienna year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2013 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works