Is the 2004 Toyota Sienna a bad year?
2,062 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sienna years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Toyota Sienna are in line with other Sienna years. Body structure, latches and locks, speed control and 2 more stand 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 2004 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 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 962 (47%) | 57k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 308 (15%) | 54k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 111 (5%) | 25k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat beltsSTANDS OUT | 98 (5%) | 37k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 71 (3%) | 91k–150k miles · ahead | — |
| Steering | 159 (8%) | 58k–136k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 132 (6%) | 48k–115k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 89 (4%) | 10k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 88 (4%) | 31k–143k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 42 (2%) | 12k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Equipment | 37 (2%) | 31k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 35 (2%) | 60k–121k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 34 (2%) | 42k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 24 (1%) | 35k–102k miles · around this 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 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 2,062 complaints: 51 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 131 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have a 2004 Toyota sienna, with only 70,000 miles. I suddenly and intermittently lost power steering. It was not total loss--that I could have handled, but it would come and go, even within a single turn.
Car rolled back while on a slope with parking brake fully applied, in park, and engine off. Rolled back about 6-9 inches as soon as footbrake was released, with a child immediately behind car at that time.
2004 sienna ltd AWD has both a hesitation in acceleration and shifting problems if the vehicle is at low speed and then the accelerator is depressed.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Toyota Sienna: 10
The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier. If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (Inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The vehicle capacity weight on the tire and loading information label and the gvwr on the certification label is insufficient for certain vehicles. Some vehicles were accessorized through vehicle processing centers and had accessories installed that caused the vehicle to exceed the gvwr value. The gvwr is insufficient for the load carrying capacity of the vehicles.
Toyota is conducting a safety improvement campaign involving 26,501 early 2004 my sienna vehicles. If this occurs, the accelerator pedal can become stuck which could result in a vehicle crash.
Toyota is conducting a safety improvement campaign involving 196,222 my 2004-2006 Toyota sienna vehicles equipped with power rear liftgate struts. The gas struts used to help lift and support the rear power liftgate could wear out sooner than expected. If not repaired, the gas struts may not be able to support the weight of the liftgate when it is open eventually, the gas struts could deteriorate to the point that the liftgate will fall about ten inches after it reaches the fully open…
On certain Mini vans, in the middle row seating position, the shoulder portion of the seat belt may bind in the bezel trim piece. If the seat belt binds in the bezel, that extra webbing may exist in the seat belt which could result in an improperly fitted seat belt on a passenger.
On certain sport utility vehicles, a part of the fuel tank may become damaged when crashed in the insurance institute for highway safety's (Iihs) 40 MPH frontal offset crash test conditions, due to the severe impact forces generated. If the fuel tank becomes damaged and fuel leakage occurs, a fire may result in the presence of an ignition source.
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: 109
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Toyota Sienna. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
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…
NHTSA defect investigations: 10
Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Steering intermediate shaft binding
Accelerator pedal interference
Steering intermediate shaft binding
Accelerator pedal interference
Neighbouring years
2003 Sienna: 105 complaints, keep it · 2005 Sienna: 1,129 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Sienna year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Toyota Sienna a bad year?
2,062 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sienna years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Sienna?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (962), latches and locks (308), speed control (111), seat belts (98), stability control (71).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Sienna have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Tires (NHTSA 14V-273), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 13V-429), Engine (NHTSA 11V-539), Body structure (NHTSA 10V-160) and more. 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.