Last updated: 2026-03-04

2021 Toyota Sienna Reliability Report
The 2021 Toyota Sienna scores 72/100 ("Good"). With 2 recalls and 25 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
2
Complaints
25
Complaint Rate
16.9
per 10k sold
Est. Annual Cost
$554
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
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
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?
The 2021 Toyota Sienna scores 72/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. As a first-year redesign, early-adopter issues are common.
With 25 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to air bags (10). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
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 issues reported (10 complaints)
- −VISIBILITY/WIPER: Owners of the 2021 Toyota Sienna frequently report a visibility issue related... (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 has 2 recalls on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
16.9
per 10k 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.
2021 Toyota Sienna NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 14.0%
Safety Technologies
Toyota Sienna Repair 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.
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Toyota Sienna.
Check for melted spots on front seat backrests
Inspect for abnormal rattling from second-row seats
Test rear liftgate for proper operation
Inspect doors for water intrusion or abnormal splashing sounds
Verify rear visibility with entertainment screen down
Test brake responsiveness and pedal feel
Buying a 2021 Sienna? Check Its History First
Every 2021 Toyota Sienna has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
2021 Toyota Sienna Common Problems by Component
25 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
AIR BAGS
10 complaintsOwners report issues related to a recall for the air bags in the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, specifically mentioning that the parts required for the recall repair are not available. Complaints frequently mention that the manufacturer has exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the necessary parts for the repair. In these reports, no actual air bag failures are described, and there are no mentions of crashes, fires, or loss of control. One owner notes that the SRS warning light is illuminated, but no other symptoms are reported. This information may be useful for potential buyers to understand the current status of recall repairs and the availability of parts.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 complaintsOwners of the 2021 Toyota Sienna frequently report a visibility issue related to the rear entertainment system. When the entertainment screen is in use, it obstructs the view through the rearview mirror, which owners describe as a significant safety concern. This issue is noted in vehicles equipped with the rear entertainment package, particularly in the XLE trim level, and is often identified shortly after purchase, within the first few weeks of ownership. Owners express concern about the inability to see vehicles approaching from behind, especially at stop signs, and suggest that a digital rearview mirror could mitigate this problem. There are no reports of crashes or loss of control, but the visibility obstruction is consistently highlighted as a safety risk.
SEATS
2 complaintsOwners report two main issues with the seats in the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. Some describe melted spots on the lower back rest of both the driver’s and front passenger’s seats, typically observed when the vehicle is parked, with one case occurring around 60,000 miles. Others mention an abnormal rattling sound from the second-row seats while driving, accompanied by a "Check Rear Seats" message, with this issue noted at approximately 169,000 miles. Safety implications are not directly reported, as there are no mentions of crashes or fires related to these seat issues. This information may be useful for used car buyers considering potential seat-related concerns in this model.
STRUCTURE (2 complaints)
STRUCTURE
2 complaintsOwners of the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid report issues related to the vehicle's structure, specifically involving water intrusion and rear liftgate malfunctions. Complaints frequently mention an abnormal splashing noise inside the vehicle, attributed to water inside the doors, with one owner noting this issue at approximately 22,500 miles. Additionally, another owner describes a malfunctioning rear liftgate that fails to open, which required manual intervention to resolve, occurring at around 67,000 miles. These issues do not indicate crashes or safety incidents, but potential buyers should be aware of these structural concerns, particularly regarding water intrusion and liftgate reliability.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsOwners report two distinct issues with the 2021 Toyota Sienna's exterior lighting. The first involves the third brake light, where complaints frequently mention poor visibility due to reflections off the rear window and defrost elements, particularly in low or dark lighting conditions. This reflection limits the operator's rear visibility, potentially impacting safe driving. The second issue, although primarily related to the interior, involves climate controls falling from the headliner and injuring rear passengers, which occurs at any speed. While these complaints do not specify mileage ranges, the safety implications include limited rear visibility and potential passenger injury.
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.
When Do 2021 Toyota Sienna Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Toyota Sienna Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Toyota Sienna Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Toyota Sienna year is 2023 with a reliability score of 76/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2024 (74/100) and 2022 (74/100).
Toyota Sienna Years to Avoid
No Toyota Sienna years are statistical outliers in our data.
All model years score consistently well. The Toyota Sienna maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.
Toyota Sienna Reliability Score Trend
Toyota Sienna reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 73/100.
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 |
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?
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Sienna have?
Is the 2021 Toyota Sienna expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2021 Toyota Sienna without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
Look Up a VIN →How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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