2005 Toyota Sienna Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Toyota Sienna has the highest Complaint Index (100) among all 16 model years, ranking worst overall (rank 1), with 1,130 complaints, 12 recalls, and Structure & Body issues making up 51% of complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Sienna years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 16 Sienna years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,130
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 39
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 71
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 71 / 1
Top 2005 Toyota Sienna problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body577 (51%)
- Brakes99 (9%)
- Engine99 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires86 (8%)
- Seat Belts83 (7%)
- Steering79 (7%)
- Electrical System71 (6%)
- Other64 (6%)
- Airbags60 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crash situations, including side impacts and rear-end collisions at various speeds.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while shifting from reverse to drive, with the vehicle lurching forward even with the brake pedal engaged.
- Some drivers report the brake pedal sinking to the floor without stopping the vehicle, leading to collisions.
- A run-flat tire reportedly went flat, then smoked and caught fire while driving on the highway at speed.
- Engine-related sudden acceleration was also reported at low speeds while parking, resulting in the vehicle jumping curbs or hitting structures.
2005 Toyota Sienna recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V657000Oct 18, 2017Transmission & Powertrain310,475 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V-429 are not affected by this recall.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
2005 Toyota Sienna fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Toyota Sienna reliable?
- Among Sienna model years, 2005 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 (the highest of any year) and 1,130 NHTSA complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Sienna years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Sienna?
- Structure & Body complaints dominate, making up 51% of all complaints (577 of 1,130), with a median mileage at failure of 65,000. Brakes and Engine issues each account for 9% of complaints.
- Does the 2005 Toyota Sienna have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2005 Sienna, covering areas including Transmission & Powertrain, Structure & Body, Suspension, and Engine. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Sienna compare to other Sienna years?
- The 2005 Sienna has the highest Complaint Index (100) of all 16 model years tracked, ranking worst overall, while years like 2018, 2019, and 2020 carry Best verdicts with Complaint Index scores of 13, 7, and 0.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Toyota Sienna?
- The 2005 Sienna gets an EPA-rated 18.5 mpg combined (16.5 city, 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.