2004 Toyota Sienna Problems, Recalls & Reliability

2,588 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Toyota Sienna, alongside 10 recall campaigns and 10 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 80,000 miles.

Avoid this year if you can. The 2004 Toyota Sienna sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1998–2003, 2009–2010, 2012–2020.

2,588Complaints
100/100Trouble index
10Recalls
78,000Typical trouble mileage

Avoid

Where 2004 sits among all Sienna years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Body & structure 985 complaints (38%) · typically ~80,000 miles
“Automatic passenger sliding door not working. The cable became frail and it is not opening and i have to cut the cable off to open the door.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sienna
Latches & locks 309 complaints (12%) · typically ~75,000 miles
“Liftgate hazard -- i own a 2004 toyota sienna, with manual liftgate. The liftgate struts/supports have failed. I was hit on the head and shoulder, but was not seriously hurt. Jb”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sienna
Other 215 complaints (8%) · typically ~98,985 miles
“Traction-control malfunction during speeds over 40. Vehicle traction control engages, at any time and suddenly. Abrupt braking and warning light.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sienna
Electrical 176 complaints (7%) · typically ~82,000 miles
“The right side electric side door will not slide all the way back. In a stationary position.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sienna
Steering 159 complaints (6%) · typically ~81,482 miles
“Traction control malfunction. While driving on curvy roads there is a beeping alarm, steering locks up, brakes engage. The car seems to think that the traction is off. This has been a problem for over a year. No problems driving in city. Only happens on curvy roads.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sienna
Wheels & tires 153 complaints (6%) · typically ~20,000 miles
“2004 toyota sienna all wheel drive le-bridgestone b380 run flat tires are rated from the manufacturer for up to 50 miles distance after going flat while toyota claims that the vehicle can be driven for up to 100 miles after going flat.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Sienna

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 2,026 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 78,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 49,000 and 110,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (10)

TIRES 14V273000 2014

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,…

Fix: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage…

POWER TRAIN 13V429000 2013

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a…

Fix: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free…

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11V539000 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 MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH…

Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO…

STRUCTURE 10V160000 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, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND,…

Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT…

EQUIPMENT 10V036000 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 SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD…

Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

EQUIPMENT 09V234000 2009

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND THE GVWR ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INSUFFICIENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. SOME…

Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS INSTRUCTING THEM TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA OR LEXUS DEALER FOR AN EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AN INSTALLATION…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 09V023000 2009

TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING 26,501 EARLY 2004 MY SIENNA VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT THE RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER IS MISSING, THE COVER CAN INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IF THE…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETENTION CLIP AND FLOOR CARPET COVER AT NO CHARGE. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY…

STRUCTURE 08V244000 2008

TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING 196,222 MY 2004-2006 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS. THE GAS STRUTS USED TO HELP LIFT AND SUPPORT THE REAR POWER LIFTGATE COULD WEAR OUT SOONER THAN EXPECTED. AS…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GAS STRUTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED GAS STRUTS THAT HAVE A LONGER SERVICE LIFE. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008, AND WILL BE MAILED IN THREE PHASES ENDING IN LATE DECEMBER…

SEAT BELTS 05V327000 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. THE AFFECTED SEAT BELT BEZEL IS LOCATED ON THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT IN THE RIGHT SIDE SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BEZEL AND CLIP. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 03V291000 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A PART OF THE FUEL TANK MAY BECOME DAMAGED WHEN CRASHED IN THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY'S (IIHS) 40 MPH FRONTAL OFFSET CRASH TEST CONDITIONS, DUE TO THE SEVERE IMPACT FORCES GENERATED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Federal defect investigations

Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing EQ12010 opened 2012, closed 2012
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING EA08024 opened 2008, closed 2009
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE EA08014 opened 2008, closed 2009

Led to recall campaign 09V023000.

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING PE08041 opened 2008, closed 2008
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE PE08025 opened 2008, closed 2008
UNEXPECTED CLOSING OF POWER LIFTGATE EA06020 opened 2006, closed 2008

Led to recall campaign 08V244000.

UNEXPECTED LIFTGATE CLOSING PE06029 opened 2006, closed 2006
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM FAILURE PE06010 opened 2006, closed 2006
SEATBELT MALFUNCTION EA05010 opened 2005, closed 2005

Led to recall campaign 05V327000.

SEATBELT MALFUNCTION PE05008 opened 2005, closed 2005

Technical service bulletins

257 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2004 Toyota Sienna. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2004 Sienna TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2003peak 403 in 20102025

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2004 Toyota Sienna reliable?

The 2004 Toyota Sienna drew 2,588 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).

What are the most common 2004 Toyota Sienna problems?

The top reported problems for the 2004 Toyota Sienna are body & structure (985 complaints), latches & locks (309), and other (215).

At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Sienna problems show up?

Owners most often report 2004 Toyota Sienna problems around 78,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 49,000 and 110,000 miles.

Does the 2004 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

10 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 Toyota Sienna. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2003 Sienna All Sienna years 2005 Sienna →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.