What years should I avoid for the Toyota Sienna?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012 and 2015 as the Sienna years to avoid, with 2011 having the highest complaint index of 100 and 614 complaints, mostly tied to airbags.

What years should I avoid for the Chrysler Pacifica?

NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018 and 2021 as the Pacifica years to avoid. The 2017 model year has a complaint index of 100 with 1,521 complaints, largely centered on the engine.

Which van has fewer reported problems, the Sienna or the Pacifica?

The Sienna averages 181 complaints per model year across 11 years, while the Pacifica averages 368 per model year across 10 years. These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which is more fuel efficient, the Sienna or the Pacifica?

The Pacifica averages 22.0 mpg combined versus the Sienna's 20.4 mpg combined across the years covered.

Are there recalls on the Sienna and Pacifica?

NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for the Sienna across 11 model years and 38 for the Pacifica across 10 model years, with none classified as do-not-drive recalls.

Toyota Sienna vs Chrysler Pacifica: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Sienna owners should avoid 2011, 2012 and 2015; Chrysler Pacifica owners should avoid 2017, 2018 and 2021. The Sienna logs 1,995 complaints across 11 model years (181 per year) versus the Pacifica's 3,679 across 10 years (368 per year), though totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Toyota Sienna

Model years: 2010–2020 (11)
NHTSA complaints: 1,995
Per model year: 181
Recall campaigns: 39
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2015
Best years: 2016, 2019, 2020
Top problem area: Structure & Body
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.4
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Chrysler Pacifica

Model years: 2016–2025 (10)
NHTSA complaints: 3,679
Per model year: 368
Recall campaigns: 38
Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2021
Best years: 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 22.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Sienna				Pacifica
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	172	8	18.5	—	—	—	—
2011	Avoid	614	14	20	—	—	—	—
2012	Avoid	247	9	21	—	—	—	—
2013	Caution	183	6	21	—	—	—	—
2014	Good	163	6	20	—	—	—	—
2015	Avoid	232	6	20	—	—	—	—
2016	Best	75	5	20	No verdict	2	0	—
2017	Caution	154	10	21	Avoid	1,521	11	22
2018	Good	72	7	21	Avoid	874	12	22
2019	Best	45	7	21	Caution	311	7	22
2020	Best	38	2	20.5	Good	170	5	22
2021	—	—	—	—	Avoid	368	7	22
2022	—	—	—	—	Caution	211	10	22
2023	—	—	—	—	Good	152	14	22
2024	—	—	—	—	Best	42	11	22
2025	—	—	—	—	Best	28	9	22

Complaint Index by year

Toyota Sienna

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chrysler Pacifica

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

What years should I avoid for the Toyota Sienna?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012 and 2015 as the Sienna years to avoid, with 2011 having the highest complaint index of 100 and 614 complaints, mostly tied to airbags.
What years should I avoid for the Chrysler Pacifica?: NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018 and 2021 as the Pacifica years to avoid. The 2017 model year has a complaint index of 100 with 1,521 complaints, largely centered on the engine.
Which van has fewer reported problems, the Sienna or the Pacifica?: The Sienna averages 181 complaints per model year across 11 years, while the Pacifica averages 368 per model year across 10 years. These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which is more fuel efficient, the Sienna or the Pacifica?: The Pacifica averages 22.0 mpg combined versus the Sienna's 20.4 mpg combined across the years covered.
Are there recalls on the Sienna and Pacifica?: NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for the Sienna across 11 model years and 38 for the Pacifica across 10 model years, with none classified as do-not-drive recalls.