Last updated: 2026-10-10
2021 Toyota Sienna Reliability Report
The 2021 Toyota Sienna has good reliability, above its class. The main snag is an air bag recall repair that owners say is held up by parts.
Recalls
2
Complaints
25
Complaint Rate
16.9per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$554
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,650–$1,700
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rated good, but owner complaints center on an air bag recall repair held up by backordered parts, plus a rear screen that blocks the mirror in some XLE vans.
Top Issues to Watch
- AIR BAGS (10)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (3)
- SEATS (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is the first model year of the Fourth generation (XL40; 2020).
- First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
- Redesigned for the 2021 model year.
- Refreshed in 2022.
- 4th generation Sienna (US).
What this means for buyers
First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.
Compare 2021 pricing and recall counts against 2022+ before deciding.
2021: Fourth generation (XL40; 2020) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2021 Toyota Sienna?
Good, with one caveat to check. Reliability stands above average among 2021 minivans and in the middle of the nine scored Sienna years. The 2020 and 2022 models rate about the same, so this year is neither a high point nor a weak spot. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $554, against $647 for the class, and the federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
Air bags draw the most complaints, 10 of 25. Owners say the recall repair is stuck because the replacement part is on backorder, and dealers confirm it. Almost none describe an actual failure, though one reports a lit SRS warning light. Smaller reports include a rear entertainment screen that blocks the rearview mirror when folded down in XLE vans, a rear climate control panel that fell from the headliner and injured a passenger, and a melted spot on both front seat backrests around 60,000 miles.
Ask whether the air bag and seat recalls were completed on the exact van. If you want the rear screen, test the mirror view first.
Compared to the 2022 Toyota Sienna, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2020 Toyota Sienna for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$93 cheaper to maintain than avg minivans
- +Low major repair risk (15%)
- +Low recall count
Cons
- −AIR BAGS: Recall repairs stall because the replacement part is on backorder (10 complaints)
- −VISIBILITY/WIPER: Rear entertainment screen blocks the inside rearview mirror when it is folded... (3 complaints)
Compare 2021 Toyota Sienna With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- AIR BAGS (10)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (3)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2021 Toyota Sienna carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
16.9
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 31.5
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Toyota Sienna Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Toyota Sienna. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SEATS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Sienna Hybrid vehicles. The bolts for the seatbacks on the third-row seat assemblies may not be tightened properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints," 207, "Seating Systems," and 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Consequence
An improperly tightened seatback may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the seat assembly bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA05.
AIR BAGS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Buying a used 2021 Toyota Sienna? Check its history first
Air bags problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Toyota Sienna, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2021 Toyota Sienna NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 14.0%
Safety Technologies
Toyota SiennaRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$554
vs $647 avg for minivans
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.4
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
15%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Toyota Sienna Resale Value
The Toyota Sienna is estimated to retain about 59.6% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Toyota Sienna model overall and is not specific to the 2021 model year.
- Value Retained
- 59.6%
- Depreciation
- 40.4%
- Listings Analyzed
- 159
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Toyota Sienna depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Hybrid
35–36 MPG
Running cost: $2,200–$2,250/yr
Fuel + repair
35–36 city / 36 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.
Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sienna Hybrid 2WD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 36 | 36 | 36 | $1,650 |
| Sienna Hybrid AWD 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 35 | 36 | 35 | $1,700 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Toyota Sienna.
Run the VIN through the federal recall lookup and confirm air bag campaign 23V865000 has been completed.
Start the van and confirm the SRS air bag warning light goes out after startup.
On vans with rear entertainment, lower the screen and check what you can see in the rearview mirror.
Press on the rear climate control panel in the headliner and confirm it sits firmly in place.
Drive over bumps listening for water sloshing inside the doors, then check door bottoms for drips.
Open and close the power liftgate several times with the button and confirm it opens fully every time.
Inspect the lower front seatbacks for melted spots and listen for second-row seat rattles.
Watch the dash for a "Check Rear Seats" message and confirm seat recall 25V086000 has been completed.
2021 Toyota Sienna Common Problems by Component
25 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
AIR BAGS
10 complaintsRecall repairs stall because the replacement part is on backorder. All 10 complaints concern NHTSA campaign 23V865000, and dealers and the VIN lookup tool confirm parts are not available. Almost no filer reports an actual air bag failure, though one notes an illuminated SRS warning light. The shared grievance is that the manufacturer has taken too long to supply the fix. No crashes or injuries are reported. For a buyer, the key question is whether this recall has since been completed on the van in front of you.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 complaintsThe rear entertainment screen blocks the inside rearview mirror when it is folded down. All 3 complaints describe XLE vans with the Plus and rear entertainment packages that lack a digital rearview mirror, leaving the driver unable to see cars close behind at stops or approaching from the rear. Filers call it a design flaw and say neither dealers nor Toyota offer a fix. No crashes are reported, but losing the rear view while the screen is in use raises collision risk.
SEATS
2 complaintsA melted spot appears on the lower backrest of both front seats in one report, found around 60,000 miles with no diagnosis. Another describes a rattle from the second-row seats along with a "Check Rear Seats" message. Recall 25V086000 addresses the seats, but that owner was told the remedy covers the third row only, leaving the second-row noise unresolved. No injuries or crashes appear in these 2 complaints, and the reports are too few to show a clear pattern.
STRUCTURE (2 complaints)
STRUCTURE
2 complaintsWater collects inside the doors, producing a sloshing or splashing sound while driving and dripping out underneath when parked, reported near 22,500 miles. Service bulletin 0121-20 addresses this noise, though the affected van was not covered. Separately, the power liftgate failed to open at 67,000 miles. The dealer traced it to a faulty passenger-side strut bolt and replaced the strut and bolt. Neither report involves a crash or injury, but a stuck liftgate can trap pets or cargo inside.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsReports here cover two unrelated problems. In one, the rear climate control panel falls out of an oversized headliner cutout and strikes rear passengers at any speed, with 1 injury reported. In the other, the third brake light reflects off the rear glass and defroster lines in low light, limiting the driver's view out the back window. With only 2 complaints, neither shows a broad pattern, but the falling controls are a direct injury risk to rear occupants.
POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
1 complaintThe car jerks when coming to a stop. Like when the regenerative system is disengaged it jerks. For the Adaptive cruise control the car will accelerate instead of braking when another car merges in front of you.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge reading displayed that the fuel tank was empty; however, while the contact was attempting to refuel the vehicle at the gas station, she became aware that the fuel tank was not empty and that there was sufficient fuel in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the CarMax dealer, where it was driven and refueled several times; however, the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,300.
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discoverer True North, Tire Size: 235/35/R17, DOT Number: RN811KW1322. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 65 MPH, the front driver's side tire sustained a blowout. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the sidewall of the tire had failed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the tire was taken to the local dealer regarding slight bulging on the sidewalls, but the contact was informed that the tires were safe for driving. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,000.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a three-second delay before the brakes would respond. Additionally, the brake pedal was difficult to depress, creating an extended stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who adjusted the brake stroke sensor and recalibrated the braking system; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to a second dealer who bled the brake lines, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,800. The VIN was not available.
VISIBILITY (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that the passenger's side rearview mirror detached and the rear liftgate door inadvertently opened while parked in the garage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Best & Worst Toyota Sienna Years
Best Toyota Sienna Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreToyota Sienna Years to Avoid
No Toyota Sienna years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 70 and 81 across 9 scored model years.
Toyota Sienna Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Toyota Sienna Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Sienna reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Sienna?
Does the 2021 Toyota Sienna have air bag problems?
Does the 2021 Toyota Sienna have a rear view problem?
How much does the 2021 Toyota Sienna cost to repair compared with other minivans?
Don’t buy a 2021 Toyota Sienna without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2021 Toyota Sienna
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Toyota Sienna does best on how many systems draw complaints (82/100) and worst on complaint severity (65/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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