YearToAvoid

2008 Toyota Sienna Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 38 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2008 Toyota Sienna, 9% of all 429 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest transmission complaint count among 16 Sienna model years. These complaints report 6 crashes and 3 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 56,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
38
9% of 429
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
56,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Toyota Sienna transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 4, 2009, latest Aug 24, 2023.

2008 Toyota Sienna transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2009Jun 2010Jul 2011May 2013Jun 2015May 2017Jul 2018Oct 2020
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2009 to Aug 2023; peak Nov 2009 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2008 Toyota Sienna

  1. NHTSA 13V429000Sep 26, 2013Transmission & Powertrain614,722 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.

    Risk: If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sienna model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200548 (4%)
  2. 200640 (4%)
  3. 200731 (9%)
  4. 200838 (9%)
  5. 20096 (3%)
  6. 201017 (10%)
  7. 201130 (5%)
  8. 201217 (7%)
  9. 201314 (8%)
  10. 20147 (4%)
  11. 201512 (5%)
  12. 20163 (4%)
  13. 201737 (24%)
  14. 201820 (28%)
  15. 20197 (16%)
  16. 20208 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2008 Toyota Sienna, 9% of all complaints for this model year, including 6 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 56,000 miles.
Which Toyota Sienna year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2005 Toyota Sienna has the most transmission complaints (48), compared with 38 for the 2008.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2008 Toyota Sienna?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Toyota Sienna concerns the transmission: 13V429000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.