One of the better Sienna years
Owners filed about 35% fewer complaints than a typical Sienna year. The area owners reported most is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 33,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sienna years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Sienna. The most reported problem area is the body, doors and structure (30, 39% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the seats and seat belts. That ranks 6th of 13 Sienna years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Toyota Sienna before you buy.
Body, doors and structure
30 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (23).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure); several years ago. The contact stated that the dealer only serviced the passenger’s side sliding door, even though the recall indicated that both doors were included. The contact stated…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 196,000 miles
Our van has recently been having issues with the sliding doors. It has occurred while driving and the warning light as well as the warning for a door open, and the door lights have came on. Right before this occurs you can hear a click sound from the sliding door behind the driver's side as well as when you close the door, you can hear a…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
9 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 19,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
2016 toyota sienna. Consumer writes in regards to incorrect mileage listed at time of purchase. * ld *js the consumer requested to be reimbursed for the purchasing the vehicle if the investigation results in discovering the odometer was tampered with.Owner complaint, filed 2018
The contact owns a 2016 toyota sienna. The contact received a recall for the electrical system. The parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The [VIN] was made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms…Owner complaint, filed 2017
Seats and seat belts
8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
While buckling up on 6 dec 2019, the seat attachment to the b-pillar completely, without resistance, detached. The bolt that secured the belt was on the floor, completely pristine in appearance, undamaged, without any evidence of thread-locker application at the factory. The car had been in no accidents and was in excellent shape…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 50,650 miles
With second center seat installed (8-passenger van), the recliner could never automatically come back up when pull the lever. Dealer inspected it and didn't find any issue. However, it is not normal to pull the lever and seat back up at the same time, especially when sitting on the chair.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 500 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
7 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 17,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Sunroof glass exploded on me and my kids on mid morning of 5/9/2019. No other damage to vehicle. The [VIN] was around 85 degrees. The glass is shattered with no way of utilizing the sunroof at this time. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the incident.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 50,000 miles
When the headlights are off, the dashboard instruments (speedometer) are very difficult to seen when overcast outside (no back-lighting). This is our 3rd sienna and was not an issue with past models (2011 & 2013). This is a safety issue in the it require eyes off the road longer than necessary in order to ready the instruments.Owner complaint, filed 2017
Wheels and tires
6 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Excessive tire wear on the outside of the front wheels after 20,000 miles. Minivan is driven in normal city and highway driving. Tires are rotated every 5,000 miles. All 4 tires will need to be replaced after 20,000 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 20,000 miles
Vehicle is 1.5 years old, about 20k miles, and just received word that we'll need 4 new tires @ $300/ea because outside wearing is occurring. Dealer nor michelin taking responsibility or warranty, both pointing at each other for the issue. This appears to be an ongoing issue with this vehicle - was not disclosed before purchasing the…Owner complaint, filed 2018
Air bags
5 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
A deer was struck on the driver to middle of the front of the van while traveling 75 mph on the highway. Caused significant enough damage that van was inoperable. What was concerning was the airbags did not deploy despite the significant force and high speed associated with this accident.Owner complaint, filed 2023
I had car accident today and got hi my left front wnd really good and the police seen my car's air bag did not go off-it didn't shows up.my face got hitted by steering wheel.I was driving on city of puyallup washington running 25-35miles an hour when the vehicle behind me took over in front of me to change lane to the left.it was a big…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 28,000 miles
Engine and cooling
4 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine/transmission and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle at the rate of 55-60 mph, the vehicle came to a complete/instant stop…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Our 2016 toyota sienna spontaneously caught fire while parked in our driveway after returning from a short drive. After pulling into our driveway and shutting off the ignition, my wife smelled smoke as she was exiting the parked vehicle. This smoke intensified and quickly [VIN] becoming an engine compartment fire. She called for me &…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 35,000 miles
Steering
4 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2016 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel stiffened, which resulted in her crashing the vehicle into the highway side barrier and a fence stopped the vehicle from going into the water. The contact did not seek medical attention and a police report was filed. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 22,000 miles
The steering seized up on my 2016 toyota van while stopped at a traffic light. I had to get the vehicle towed. There are only 20904 miles on the odometer. Toyota says my warranty is expired. Toyota says I will need a new steering assembly, which I will have to pay is for $3200.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 20,904 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
After 80,000 miles have a loud whirling sound coming from rear, after inspection and online investigation found many many others with same issue, the dust cover and or o-ring doesn’t properly protect the rear bearing in the coupler. So while the fix is to remove the rear differential coupler, and replace the bearing with an improved…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2016 toyota sienna. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v585000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called autonation toyota arapahoe at 303-578-6111 and…Owner complaint, filed 2017
Suspension
2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
There is something mechanically wrong with the design of the suspension that is causing tires to wear completely in 15k-20k miles. This is a known issue, and nothing is being done about it. Https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-t34192_ds548164Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 37,000 miles
On june 6, 2019 at approximately 6 pm my vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. I was driving at 15 MPH and it [VIN] to 40-50 MPH. Braking did not slow down the vehicle. I jumped the curb and hit three small trees. It came to a halt after undercarriage damage had been sustained. It was towed to cummings mobility where I purchased…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 30,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
2 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
On june 6, 2019 at approximately 6 pm my vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. I was driving at 15 MPH and it [VIN] to 40-50 MPH. Braking did not slow down the vehicle. I jumped the curb and hit three small trees. It came to a halt after undercarriage damage had been sustained. It was towed to cummings mobility where I purchased…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 30,000 miles
Fuel system
1 complaintHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Our 2016 toyota sienna spontaneously caught fire while parked in our driveway after returning from a short drive. After pulling into our driveway and shutting off the ignition, my wife smelled smoke as she was exiting the parked vehicle. This smoke intensified and quickly [VIN] becoming an engine compartment fire. She called for me &…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 35,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
1 complaintBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 toyota sienna. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but it was difficult to stop the vehicle. The contact heard a clicking noise at the time of the failure. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The [VIN] was made aware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 14,300 miles
Driver assist systems
1 complaintPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 toyota sienna. While operating the vehicle, the rearview camera, which was integrated into the radio system, malfunctioned and stopped operating. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The camera/radio unit was replaced, but the failure continued. The contact indicated that the camera/radio…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 100 miles
Toyota Sienna complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 minivans
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Toyota Sienna | One of the better years | 5 |
| 2016 Honda Odyssey | About average | 6 |
| 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan | Among the worst years | 6 |
2016 Toyota Sienna recalls
Equipment Latch / anchor
- Risk
- An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Brakes
- Risk
- The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.
Brakes
- Risk
- The reduction in the braking system pressure may cause a loss of braking power in the rear braking system, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Braun has notified owners, and dealers will install an adaptor to correct the issue, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system.
Body and structure Door
- Risk
- If door opens while the vehicle is moving, there would be an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the junction block, rear sliding door wire harnesses, and install two sub wire harnesses, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna minivans manufactured January 4, 2010, to August 12, 2016. If the power sliding door is unable to be opened when commanded, such as if the door is frozen shut, the door may subsequently open unexpectedly, possibly while the vehicle is moving.
Seat belts Front
- Risk
- Failure and detachment of seat belt height adjuster would result in the occupant not being properly restrained in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt height adjusters, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Sienna vehicles manufactured February 15, 2016, to February 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, incorrect front seat belt height adjusters may have been installed. During a crash, this incorrect height adjuster may contact the B-pillar and tear or separate.
2016 Toyota Sienna questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Sienna?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Toyota Sienna are the body, doors and structure (30 complaints), the electrical system (9 complaints) and the seats and seat belts (8 complaints). Within the body, doors and structure, owners most often name the body.
Is the 2016 Toyota Sienna a good year to buy?
One of the better Sienna years. Owners filed about 35% fewer complaints than a typical Sienna year. The area owners reported most is the body, doors and structure, which half of owners reported by about 33,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sienna years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Sienna have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Toyota Sienna. The most recent, from Dec 2025, covers the latch / anchor. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Sienna problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the body, doors and structure gave a mileage of about 33,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 19,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Toyota Sienna years should I avoid?
The Sienna years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
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