YearToAvoid

2013 Toyota Sienna Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#6 most-complained of 11 Sienna years

The 2013 Toyota Sienna has 183 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 50, and 6 recalls, ranking 6th worst of 11 model years. It earns a Caution verdict, with Structure & Body issues (30% of complaints) leading, well behind Best-rated years like 2016 and 2019.

Complaints
183
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
7 / 1
Injuries / deaths
9 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 24 hwy

Top 2013 Toyota Sienna problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body55 (30%)
  2. Other33 (18%)
  3. Airbags22 (12%)
  4. Electrical System22 (12%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (8%)
  6. Brakes14 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain14 (8%)
  8. Engine13 (7%)
  9. Steering11 (6%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash events, including a low-speed rollover and a head-on collision, resulting in injuries.
  • Owners report the engine compartment catching fire, with smoke appearing under a panel before flames emerged underneath the vehicle.
  • Some drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking, with the brake pedal failing to slow the vehicle.
  • The fuel pump reportedly stops working intermittently, causing stalling or hesitation and rough engine running at speed.
  • A power sliding door safety recall reportedly went unresolved even after dealership sale, and parts for the door latch/lock repair were reported unavailable.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel seizing and brakes not functioning after starting the vehicle, requiring the emergency brake to stop.
2013 Toyota Sienna complaints: complaints filed per quarter182013 Q12014 Q42016 Q32018 Q32020 Q22022 Q12024 Q3
218 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q2 (18).

2013 Toyota Sienna recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

  2. NHTSA 19V553000Jul 25, 2019Brakes303 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.

    Risk: The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2019. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.

  3. NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

See all 6 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Sienna →

2013 Toyota Sienna fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
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.

2013 compared with other Sienna years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid1006141420
2012Avoid80247921
2013Caution50183621
2014Good40163620
2015Avoid90232620

All Toyota Sienna years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Sienna reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Sienna has a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among 11 model years of the Sienna.
What problems does the 2013 Toyota Sienna have?
NHTSA complaints show Structure & Body issues make up 30% of complaints (55 of 183), followed by Airbags and Electrical System issues at 12% each.
Does the 2013 Toyota Sienna have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 Sienna, covering airbags, brakes, and structure & body components, including a power sliding door wire harness issue.
What year Toyota Sienna should I avoid?
Among Sienna years with data, 2011, 2012, and 2015 carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Index values of 100, 80, and 90; the 2013 is rated Caution, better than those years but worse than 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
How many complaints does the 2013 Toyota Sienna have?
NHTSA lists 183 complaints for the 2013 Toyota Sienna, with a median mileage at failure of 48,917.5 miles.

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.