2018 Toyota Sienna: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, fuel system, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 66
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 5
- 6 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Toyota Sienna: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Sienna is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Toyota Sienna. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Sienna that averages well under the EPA 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Toyota Sienna, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission15No crashes
Transmission whine and hesitation lead these reports. Drivers hear a hum under acceleration that gets worse over time. They also describe a pause of 1 to 2 seconds before an abrupt downshift and sluggish takeoffs from a stop, which they call dangerous when merging. Some get a message telling them to see a dealer. Dealers confirmed failed UA80 transmissions needing replacement at about 126,000 and 132,000 miles. A customer support program covers this transmission, but some owners were told their VIN did not qualify. Others blame Eco mode shift logic, and software updates did not always fix it.
Fuel system11No crashes
Stalling and hesitation tied to the fuel pump lead this group. Vans sputter and die, refuse to restart, and set a check engine light, or pause after the gas pedal is pressed from a stop. Many reports center on the fuel pump recall, and dealers confirmed parts were not yet available. Leaking gasoline is the fire risk. One van leaked fuel several times after the recall repair, and another had a fuel line rupture at startup. One hesitation case appeared at 35,000 miles.
Waiting on parts for the fuel pump recall drives most of these reports. Dealers repeatedly confirmed the remedy parts were unavailable, and owners felt the delay ran too long. Two reports describe real symptoms. In one, the van did not respond to the accelerator at 70 mph with no warning light, and the problem returned after the recall repair. In the other, the van surged forward at idle with a warning light on. Loss of power at highway speed is the main safety risk.
Electrical6No crashes
Third-row power seats that fold on their own are the most serious hazard here. The seats close on a buckled passenger at highway speed, and then the buttons stop working for several minutes. One van stalled at 20 mph with the master warning light on. That stall is tied to the fuel pump recall, and parts were not available at the time. Other reports cover a dead Safety Connect SOS system that dealer resets did not fix and a tire pressure warning light that stays on. In one case, a dealer sold a van listed at 57,000 miles whose registration showed 175,152.
Airbags44 crashes
Front air bags failing to deploy in serious crashes is the pattern. Reports describe frontal impacts at 60 and 74 mph. In a 70 mph rear-end collision that ended in a rollover, the side air bags fired but the front ones did not. Injuries include bruised ribs, a bruised lung, a concussion, and a sore shoulder. In a separate crash where every air bag deployed, interior light covers broke loose and scratched a passenger. All 4 complaints involve crashes, with 5 people injured.
Body and structure4No crashes
Power sliding doors cause most of the trouble. A broken door cable leaves the door unable to open. One report says a closing door did not stop for an obstruction. It caught an adult's arm and nearly trapped a child. Front bumper clips pop loose from airflow at speed and tear the plastic support frame, and the dealer quoted a full bumper replacement. A loose driver-side carpet near the pedals also touched the driver's foot at 4,700 miles and was not repaired.
Acceleration and cruise control21 crash
Unintended full-throttle acceleration in reverse, while backing out of a driveway, led to the one crash-related report. The other describes a torque converter clutch pressure control solenoid circuit fault that appeared once the van reached speed. The owner says a friend's van of the same model had the same issue. With only 2 complaints there is no clear pattern, but the surge in reverse is a serious loss-of-control event.
Engine2No crashes
Sudden loss of power and stalling make up the more serious report. The van jerks, loses motive power, and shuts off on its own. The dealer could not reproduce the fault, and it continued even after the fuel pump was replaced under a recall. The other complaint involves the oil warning light coming on during a low-speed turn. The oil level was low and dropped again after the dealer topped it up, first at 3,700 miles. A stall in traffic carries a loss-of-control risk.
Seats2No crashes
Rear seats that shift or move on their own are the concern. In one report all four rear seats slid forward by themselves while the van sat still, starting at 1,000 miles. Two dealer repairs to the floor rail caps did not stop it. Another describes third-row seat latches that rotate and let the seats twist and slide. Two dealers called this normal play. These seats anchor child seats and seat belts, so owners worry about how they would hold in a crash.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Sienna owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Transmission has been whining. A P27137F Code appeared and the vehicle is only in 2WD mode currently. Concerned to drive vehicle due to further damaging transmission or getting stuck while on the road.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Whining sound coming from vehicle while in drive and accelerator is depressed. Confirmed by dealership that the transmission is failing and needs replacement.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
Car stalled, sputtered and died. At first, I thought I was out of gas. After several tries, the car started and went 3 miles to gas station. After getting gas, the car wouldn’t start several times and that same day the check engine light came on. We took it to Autozone to check the code and they said it was showing fuel pump failure. Today I’m taking it in to the dealer for service. It has started and run twice since the initial episode.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2022
The fuel line under the intake ruptured when I started my car on 2/21/23. The repair shop said they had never seen one fail like this. I do not have the parts. I was fortunate to be at home and that the engine wasn't hot when this happened so there was no fire. I had an issue starting the car ~ 1 month before that, but I don't know if the issue was fuel related. The car had been sitting for 1 week prior to that issue.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 57,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,152.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
How the 2018 compares with other Sienna years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 ranks second for owner complaints among 8 Sienna years, about 1.4 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission152
- Fuel system112
- Electrical62
- Airbags42
- Body and structure43
- Acceleration and cruise control21
Where the 2018 fits in the Sienna's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the eighth model year of the Sienna's third generation (2011–2020).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2018
- New front grille
- Updated headlights
- Minor interior updates
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
20V682000Fuel systemNov 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
20V012000Fuel systemJan 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
19V553000BrakesJul 2019
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.
Risk: The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2019. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
19V532000SteeringJul 2019
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain modified 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna vehicles. The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the extensions to fracture.
Risk: If the steering shaft extension completely fractures, it can cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft extensions, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
19V503000EquipmentJun 2019
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.".
Risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
19V410000BrakesJun 2019
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system.
Risk: The reduction in the braking system pressure may cause a loss of braking power in the rear braking system, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will install an adaptor to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
18V130000Wheels and tiresFeb 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Sienna vehicles built with a specific lot of 10-spoke alloy wheels from one production facility. These wheels may not have been properly cooled during manufacturing. As a result, the wheels may crack in the spokes from an impact while driving.
Risk: If the wheels crack at the spokes, the wheel may separate from the hub assembly causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota began notifying owners initially by phone on February 26, 2018 and will mail letters to any unnotified owner starting on April 20, 2018. Dealers will inspect the wheels and replace them if necessary depending on their production location, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0J.
Also looking at these instead of a Sienna?
Cars shoppers compare with the Toyota Sienna, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
- 2018 Toyota Sienna66
- Honda Odyssey841
