2004 Toyota Sienna Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 89about this part
- Share
- 4%of 2,062 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,125miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Toyota Sienna, 4% of the 2,062 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,125 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On april 18, 2018, I parked the car in garage, shifted to park, turned the key off, and removed key. While getting out I noticed that car began to roll. While in park, locked with key out, I noticed that the vehicle could be rolled forward or backwards. After inspection I found that the transmission shift cable had become detached from the shifter. (see first photos) apparently, Toyota secures it with some type of plastic grommet which deteriorates with age, disintegrates, and causes the detachment. …”
NHTSA complaint #11091692, filed 2018-05, 160,000 miles“While making a sharp left turn, I can hear clunk, clunk from the steering column. Dealer says the steering column (rack-pinion) joint is bad, need replacement, not under warranty, will cost 500 to 600 $, not an immediate safety threat , can wait until the noise gets too bad. I am not happy that such things break down at 45,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10246517, filed 2008-10, 45,000 miles“I wrote to Toyota sept. 7, 2007, concerning an acceleration problem with my 2004 Sienna minivan, following many visits to the dealer to evaluate and fix it. The throttle response is delayed, in my case; it lags during initial acceleration from a stop, but more importantly, it lags when immediate acceleration is needed for passing, and accelerating after slowing for a turn. The factory rep who responded to my letter said the dealer would reevaluate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10304818, filed 2010-02, 10,000 miles“Radiator failure resulting in coolant leakage in the transmission fluid and transmission is failing. I noticed my 2004 Toyota Sienna had some belt noise that got worse. The van was due for a water pump/timing belt change. Later the engine temperature gauge read high and after checking the fluids noticed the antifreeze level to be low and topped it up. A week later while driving on the highway steam started coming out of the hood. I noticed the pink fluid had also leaked out of a tube (looked like a relief tube) on the driver side. Radiator level was low. …”
NHTSA complaint #10712847, filed 2015-04, 121,482 miles“My husband noticed the 2004 Toyota Sienna moving in the driveway and found that the automatic transmission shifted out of park. He then played around with it and found that it can be shifted out of park without depressing the brake. I took it to the local Toyota dealership and was told that something broke off inside and would cost around $700 to fix it. They then said that my children must have broken it off swinging from the shifter. …”
NHTSA complaint #10192986, filed 2007-06, 42,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V429000Sep 26, 2013Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna…Covers: Toyota Sienna 2004–2005, 2007–2009
Related service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10096816Jan 25, 2016"dealer letter: safety recall completion is important not only in satisfying government requirements, but also is an integral part of our commitment to meet customer expectations…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10096813Jan 25, 2015Region letter: toyota will be sending safety recall follow-up notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 5% |
| 2020 | 8 | 21% |
| 2019 | 7 | 15% |
| 2018 | 20 | 28% |
| 2017 | 38 | 24% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% |
| 2013 | 14 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 7% |
| 2011 | 30 | 5% |
| 2010 | 17 | 10% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 38 | 9% |
| 2007 | 31 | 9% |
| 2006 | 40 | 4% |
| 2005 | 48 | 4% |
| 2004 | 89 | 4% |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 67 | 18% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 23 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Sienna
962 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
308 complaintsSteering
159 complaintsElectrical system
132 complaintsTires
124 complaintsVehicle speed control
111 complaintsOther or unknown
107 complaintsSeat belts
98 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsElectronic stability control
71 complaintsFuel system
49 complaintsEngine cooling
46 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology