2008 Toyota Sienna Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 9%of 429 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Toyota Sienna, 9% of the 429 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving with my autistic children the check engine light, the vsc light and the trac off light all came on and the wheels locked up on the right side and through the van into a ditch. This is very dangerous since this vehicle was made for families. I am now keeping a log and I do plan on retaining an attorney as no one has addressed this issue as a safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #11320604, filed 2020-04, 184,000 miles“I was driving down the road and saw smoke rolling out of engine. By the time I pulled over I noticed oil leaking out everywhere. It was the engine oil cooler line and I have since replaced the rubber hose twice and has ruptured two more time since. This is very dangerous. I lost over 12 quarts of oil in the last month.”
NHTSA complaint #10544818, filed 2013-09, 84,320 miles“This vehicle has 3 open recalls on it I have contacted my local Toyota dealership in wooster ohio and the service advisor informed me it would take a few hours to do all the repairs and id have to wait or drop it off I as a customer feel its unfair for Toyota to make a customer wait for hours to fix repairs that are faults of the car manufactuer I asked for a loaner car while the work is completed they refused saying the only way a loaner is given is is the recall is door related”
NHTSA complaint #11064332, filed 2018-01, 169,000 miles“My wife was parking our 2008 Toyota Sienna with our 3 young boys in the automobile. She slowly brought the vehicle to a complete stop; never using gas, just covering and tapping lightly on the brake. Once the automobile came to a stop my wife pressed the brake a little more in order to put the vehicle in park. At that moment the vehicle accelerated incredible fast, jumped over an 8 inch concrete parking lot divider and crashed into a tree about 10 - 15 feet from the concrete divider. …”
NHTSA complaint #10576090, filed 2014-03, 42,000 miles“We have owned the Sienna for 4 years and 53,000 miles without incidence. We have had it serviced by the Toyota dealer and have had all scheduled maintenance. One afternoon, after driving the Sienna all day, we pulled it into our driveway (which is on a slight incline) and placed it into park. After doing this, instead of the brakes being applied, the Sienna rolled back as though it were in neutral. We brought the Sienna to the Toyota dealer who inspected it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10470607, filed 2012-08, 53,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11005119Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 11005061Jun 19, 2024This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- 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…
- 10149217Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: 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 interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: 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 interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 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…
- 10134128Jan 15, 2015TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10096036Jan 15, 2015"tsb: flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix…
- 10056822Aug 7, 2014Toyota: see document search button for owner letter. On certain vehicles the rubber oil supply hose, for vvt-I actuator, is degrading over time and causing a leakage of oil, from…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 4% |
| 2021 | 8 | 5% |
| 2020 | 6 | 16% |
| 2019 | 4 | 9% |
| 2018 | 5 | 7% |
| 2017 | 15 | 10% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 16 | 7% |
| 2014 | 11 | 7% |
| 2013 | 7 | 4% |
| 2012 | 9 | 4% |
| 2011 | 23 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 10 | 5% |
| 2008 | 39 | 9% |
| 2007 | 42 | 12% |
| 2006 | 11 | 1% |
| 2005 | 22 | 2% |
| 2004 | 13 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Sienna
117 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsElectrical system
45 complaintsBrakes
43 complaintsOther or unknown
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsSteering
33 complaintsElectronic stability control
29 complaintsTires
19 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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