Is the 2002 Toyota Sienna a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sienna years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Toyota Sienna are in line with other Sienna years. Body structure stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Sienna owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 75,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 42 (23%) | 59k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 27 (15%) | 28k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 24 (13%) | 18k–82k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 24 (13%) | 43k–103k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 16 (9%) | 32k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 13 (7%) | 57k–116k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 10 (6%) | 69k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (3%) | 33k–95k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Tires | 15 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 75,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 181 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 9 report an injury.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Feb 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2002 Toyota Sienna: 1
The subject vehicles are equipped with the spare tire stowed under the vehicle. The cable may break due to excessive corrosion and the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 51
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Toyota Sienna. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine compartment fire
Neighbouring years
2001 Sienna: 179 complaints, keep it · 2003 Sienna: 105 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Sienna year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · All Sienna years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Toyota Sienna a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sienna years. At 75,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Sienna?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (42), latches and locks (27), brakes (24), electrical system (24), engine (16).
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Sienna have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 10V-160). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.