2001 Toyota Sienna recalls and problems

The 2001 Toyota Sienna has 2 safety recalls and 180 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
180
Crashes / fires
14 / 0
Injuries / deaths
12 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Toyota Sienna vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Toyota Sienna recalls

Recall 10V-160: Structure

Reported Apr 20, 2010 · 600,000 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 1998 through 2010 sienna passenger vehicles manufactured between august 7, 1997 and january 4, 2010, currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington district of columbia, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin. The subject vehicles are equipped with the spare tire stowed under the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated in the cold climate regions of the united states where road salt is frequently used, water splashed backwards with high concentrations of road salt can reach the spare tire carrier and corrode the spare tire carrier assembly cable.

Risk: The cable may break due to excessive corrosion and the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners with an interim letter initially instructing them to bring their vehicle to authorized dealers to inspect for corrosion. A second notice will be sent when the permanent remedy is available. For more information, please see toyota's amended recall report of july 19, 2010. The safety recall is expected to begin on october 12, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall 01V-072: Structure

Reported Mar 5, 2001 · 545 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front sub frame assembly has not been adequately welded.

Risk: This condition could cause failure of the assembly following long-term usage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front sub frame, if necessary. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2001 Toyota Sienna problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Structure35
Latches/Locks/Linkages35
Engine and Engine Cooling24
Electrical System21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
Tires14
Seat Belts10
Visibility9
Power Train9
Vehicle Speed Control9
Steering8
Fuel System, Gasoline8

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body › Door — 17
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 16
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 10
  • Structure › Body — 9
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 4
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 4
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 67,235 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Toyota Sienna complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · at 75 miles · reported Mar 13, 2021
A known issue with these 3.0 l v6 engine. Heavy smoke from the exhaust pipe. Visible oil sludge under the oil refill cap.
Structure · at 147,000 miles · reported May 30, 2018
The driver's side rear sliding door has several times now refused to latch, and when in emergency situation I have locked it and forced it to shut then it will not unlock and it has to be taken apart to be opened and the whole latch and lock mechanism reworked by the mechanic, and in the meantime the door is unable to be opened which is extremely unsafe when I have children in the middle and back rows of the van. This is the third time in the past 3 years that this problem has occurred, so it is definitely an actual problem with the hardware of the door latch mechanism itself and not simply a…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 154,000 miles · reported Jun 20, 2017
My 9 year old son and I were on our way home from work last night and I heard something snap on my 2001 toyota sienna. I then heard something dragging so I immediately pulled over to check and realized the fuel tank was dragging and the back straps holding the gas tank up had broken loose causing the back section of the tank to drag on the road. I had to call a tow truck to tow vehicle to the mechanics. Since I work 18 miles away I find getting to work difficult.
Vehicle Speed Control · at 160,000 miles · reported Sep 12, 2016
I had just dropped my youngest daughter off at school and as I was leaving I had to stop because some children with their parents needed to cross in front of me I applied my brakes as normal and I had no issues in stopping but then it feels like a "ghost" pushes the gas pedal down because I can feel it move and see my RPM gauge go up and I hear my engine "vrrrrooommmm" I pushed my brakes harder and still nothing, the end results me having to put my car into park to keep it from moving into the crosswalk onto the people. When I get home it does the same thing and I almost crash into my garage…
Engine · reported Aug 7, 2016
Takata recall. White smoke comes out of the exhaust when I start the car. Then smoke disappears or stay at low level during driving. Decrease oil. I put one quarter oil each week. Mechanics says it may head gaskit or seals. Costs 2000 and above to repair. If not better to garbage this vehicle. It has a clean title with 106k.

Other Toyota Sienna years

Compare all Toyota Sienna years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Toyota Sienna have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Sienna: 10V-160 (structure), 01V-072 (structure). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Sienna?

Owners report structure problems most often (35 reports), followed by latches/locks/linkages (35). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 67,235 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.