2021 Toyota Sienna Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Toyota Sienna, 5% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“sound coming from engine / transmission other issues with the 2 ruber seals on the minivan keep worping out i looked on all the forms everyone is making the same complaint i toook it to toyota they just put tape and its off again they didnt help for a perminent fix back door is miss alined pasanger side sliding door sometimes does not close takes 3-4 atempts pressing the button”
NHTSA complaint #11675599, filed 2025-07“About 25% of the time when I come to a stop and I am breaking, the car surges forward slightly. At first, I thought it was the way I was driving or the fact that it is an EV vehicle, which I had not driven before, but overtime it seems it is just the way the car operates. Others in the car have felt it happen as well as I have come to a stop sign or stoplight. I have not bumped into another car or anything but feel that that could happen if this is not corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #11578332, filed 2024-03“While driving my 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, the vehicle suddenly displayed a low oil pressure warning, immediately lost power, and entered limp mode. I was able to pull over safely, but the engine then suffered a catastrophic failure — a connecting rod blew through the engine block, leaving large metal fragments inside the engine compartment. The vehicle is completely inoperable. Prior to this event the van sometimes idled rough and shook slightly on startup when transitioning from battery to gasoline engine after sitting, but it drove normally otherwise. …”
NHTSA complaint #11687704, filed 2025-09“-Multiple instances recently of feeling like the car was accelerating or lurching forward lightly while I was braking - thought I was going crazy. Today however, the car very clearly lurched forward while I was braking coming into an intersection with my kids in the car. Checked my foot on the pedal, mats, etc. Will be taken to dealer on earliest appointment they have in 7 days. -If there was a car coming through that intersection, my family and I could have been T-boned due to the unexpected acceleration. -There are no warning lamps or messages active in the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11614935, filed 2024-09“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle would jerk and swerve to the left or the right making the vehicle difficult to control. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after decelerating the vehicle became controllable. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact stated that he had experienced the failure on three separate occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #11454662, filed 2022-03, 10,000 milesTransmission 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 2021 Toyota Sienna
80 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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