Is the 2017 Toyota Sienna a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sienna years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2017 Toyota Sienna are in line with other Sienna years.
5th quietest of 20 Sienna years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 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 19,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 20 (13%) | 10k–40k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 39 (24%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 17 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 16 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 15 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 14 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (3%) | 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 19,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 160 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
27 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2017 Toyota Sienna: 10
The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the extensions to fracture. If the steering shaft extension completely fractures, it can cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system. The reduction in the braking system pressure may cause a loss of braking power in the rear braking system, increasing the risk of crash.
During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist. A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label. A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a 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: 150
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Toyota Sienna. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the vacuum pump at idle
Some vehicles may experience an engine oil leak condition from the No.2 Oil pan
The purpose of this Tech Tip is to provide diagnostic tips to prevent misdiagnosis of the following DTC's and prevent repeat repairs
Neighbouring years
2016 Sienna: 76 complaints, keep it · 2018 Sienna: 72 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
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Questions
Is the 2017 Toyota Sienna a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sienna years. At 19,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Sienna?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (20), transmission and drivetrain (39), fuel system (17), wheels (16), engine (15).
How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Sienna have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 25V-876), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-012), Brakes (NHTSA 19V-553) 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.