2017 Toyota Sienna Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 24%of 157 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Toyota Sienna, 24% of the 157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“History: periodically over the life of the vehicle, when I push down on the gas peddle the car is unresponsive or responds in fits and starts. This is usually upon startup after stopping at a stop sign or light. But it did happen in may of 2019 at 65mph on the freeway (going straight), resulting in sudden deceleration. As I moved over lanes to get to the side of the road, there was a sudden jolt and the car began functioning normally. On sunday 9/22/19 at 10am I left my home with my daughter to go to the movies. …”
NHTSA complaint #11257724, filed 2019-09, 30,000 miles“July 22 2018 afternoon. I was driving the Sienna 2017 on a highway in speed 70mph in the ect mode with my wife and kids. It seemed everything normal at the beginning. When I was pressing gas pedal the car did not accelerate at all. On the contrary, the mini-van was slowing down. I became nervous since that was a 3 lanes highway, I was in leftist lane and there was narrow cube and did not have enough space to stop. I pressed gas pedal harder, and engine got to 6000 RPM however there was no power at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11114698, filed 2018-07, 5,900 miles“Issue started at about 4100 miles. The van would not start at all. The push button would act as of the van would start but nothing would happen. After trying 5 plus times it started. Took the van to the dealer that stated everything looked good. Now about two weeks ago the same issue occured. The van would display check charging system on the display and the van would not start no would the side doors open in order for me to get my infant's out of the van. After multiple attempts the van going again it started and I was on my way. …”
NHTSA complaint #11195303, filed 2019-04, 12,045 miles“Van were on a slight slope driveway with engine still turn on and shift in park. When turn the engine off, the van role backward into the street. This could be a result of gear shift out of park. It is a automatic transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11221853, filed 2019-06, 51,300 miles“We experienced a high whine for a couple of months. No codes were being read by any mechanics. Then the transmission started slipping between 2nd and 3rd gears, and then we couldn’t reverse. Now it’s not switching gears at all. There is a recall for our year and type of transmission, for this issue, but our vin number is not included in that recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11742281, filed 2026-06Related service bulletins
- 10201352Jul 6, 2021TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front…
- 10198131May 11, 2021TSB: Some 2017 ? 2018 model year Highlander and Sienna vehicles may exhibit a whine noise while driving, a harsh shift, MIL ON, or reduced power. The following Diagnostic Trouble…
- 10185783Dec 11, 2020TSB: Some 2017 model year Sienna vehicles may exhibit one or more the following conditions: ?Lack of power from stop. ?High RPM shift point at 2 ? 3 shifts. ?Hesitation in low…
- 10164347Jul 11, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced…
- 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…
- 10162233May 1, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced…
- 10159730Apr 18, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced…
- 10159729Apr 18, 2019Dealer Packet: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning…
- 10159728Apr 18, 2019Dealer Email: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning…
- 10159727Apr 18, 2019Region Email: Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning…
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 2017 Toyota Sienna
27 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsWheels
16 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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