The Lemon Index2006 Toyota Sienna.
The 2006 Toyota Sienna is about average by owner complaints: 123 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 108, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 17 to 19 mpg combined. The best Toyota Sienna year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,017 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Sienna year. 2006 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 44K to 100K miles on the car (818 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 50K–94K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 46K–94K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 46K–110K miles
Recalls 11
- 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 11 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.
- seats 2010
ACCESS OPTIONS IS RECALLING CERTAIN TRUCKS AND VANS BUILT ON FORD E150, E350, TOYOTA SIENNA, AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES.
- 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.
- equipment 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
- 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.
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 241 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
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 $3400–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Premature wearing of both front brakes and tires (both needed to be replaced by 15,000 miles).
2006 Toyota Sienna owner · NHTSA complaint 10240031
More owner reports
The rear power sliding door on my 2006 Toyota Sienna wagon shut on my child's thumb even though it supposedly has a mechanism to prevent it from trapping body parts.
NHTSA complaint 10281141
Toyota Sienna rollover accident at low speed (35 mph) resulting in roof and driver side structural failure and fatal crushing injury to driver.
NHTSA complaint 10286231
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Toyota Sienna reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 108; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Sienna year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2006 Toyota Sienna problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (28%), tires (19%) and doors, locks & latches (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Sienna have?
11 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 2006 Toyota Sienna get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Sienna problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 70,800 miles, from 818 complaints.
Does the 2006 Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Toyota Sienna cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Toyota Sienna have?
3.3L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Sienna year is better than the 2006?
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