The Lemon Index2009 Toyota Sienna.
The 2009 Toyota Sienna is better than average by owner complaints: 42 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 59, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 10 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 207 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Sienna year. 2009 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 47K to 112K miles on the car (162 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 49K–102K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 80K–125K miles
Recalls 10
- 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 10 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.
- 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.
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 255 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- See document search button for owner letter
- REVISION NOTICE October 25, 2017 Rev2: ?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Rear sliding doors won't stay open on 2009 Toyota Sienna. The smallest of inclines will make the sliding doors refuse to stay open.
2009 Toyota Sienna owner · NHTSA complaint 10340732
More owner reports
Rear hatch struts stopped working (manual door). Extremely heavy rear door of the Sienna is now extremely dangerous. Once opened the door just crashes shut. It could easily kill someone who was standing under it.
NHTSA complaint 10489404
Rear hatch on 2009 Toyota Sienna xle closes spontaneously and does not stay up w/o holding it.
NHTSA complaint 10344829
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Toyota Sienna reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 59; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Sienna year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Sienna problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (48%), speed control (21%) and doors, locks & latches (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Sienna have?
10 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 2009 Toyota Sienna get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Sienna problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 47,900 and 112,200 miles. The middle report was at 84,400 miles, from 162 complaints.
Does the 2009 Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Toyota Sienna cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Toyota Sienna have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Sienna year is better than the 2009?
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