The Lemon Index2011 Toyota Sienna.
The 2011 Toyota Sienna is worse than average by owner complaints: 171 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 132, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Toyota Sienna year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 615 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Toyota Sienna year. 2011 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 14K to 97K miles on the car (317 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 38K–103K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 14K–102K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 18K–103K miles
Recalls 14
- airbags 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- airbags 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- body structure 2016
If door opens while the vehicle is moving, there would be an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
Show all 14 recalls
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
- 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.
- equipment 2013
These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight ad.
- airbags 2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk…
- equipment 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 THROUGH 2012 SIENNA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 110, "TIRE SELECTIONS AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT …
- body structure 2011
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 COROLLA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NON-TOYOTA, BLUE TOOTH HANDS FREE DEVICE OR NAVIGATION UNIT AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A N…
- transmission & drivetrain 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VENZA AND SIENNA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7, THROUGH MARCH 10, 2011.
- brakes 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SIENNA VEHICLES.
- 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…
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 372 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The side power sliding door opens partially or makes a pop noise when opening with the outside…
- Charging system inoperative
- Condition where a rattle or squeak type noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Sienna VAN AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Sienna VAN FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Failure of struts on rear hatch. Rear hatch does not open on its own. Hatch slams shut. Risk of injury.
2011 Toyota Sienna owner · NHTSA complaint 10587256
More owner reports
Water accumulating in fold-down compartment for third row seats. Standing water noticed under carpet. Dealership unable to replicate leak.
NHTSA complaint 10442723
The security alarm goes off at random time. I took it to a Toyota dealer and they tell me they cant duplicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10626587
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Toyota Sienna reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 132; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Sienna year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2011 Toyota Sienna problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (24%), electrical (14%) and tires (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Sienna have?
14 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Toyota Sienna get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Toyota Sienna safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Sienna problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,000 and 97,000 miles. The middle report was at 56,000 miles, from 317 complaints.
Does the 2011 Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Toyota Sienna cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Toyota Sienna have?
2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Sienna year is better than the 2011?
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