2018 Toyota Sienna Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
30/100
#8 most-complained of 11 Sienna years
The 2018 Toyota Sienna has a complaint index of 30, ranking 8th of 11 model years, with a "Good" verdict relative to other Sienna years. NHTSA lists 72 complaints, 7 recalls, and 5 crashes, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 28% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 72
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2018 Toyota Sienna problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (28%)
- Other15 (21%)
- Fuel System13 (18%)
- Engine10 (14%)
- Electrical System8 (11%)
- Structure & Body8 (11%)
- Airbags5 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Brakes2 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission delaying acceleration from a stop, then lurching or hesitating when the throttle is applied.
- Some describe a whining noise when accelerating that a mechanic identified as a failing transmission.
- Front airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal or angled collisions, including one rollover crash after being rear-ended.
- One owner reported unintended acceleration in reverse while backing out of a driveway.
- Fuel system complaints describe a noticeable pause or hesitation before acceleration begins, both from a stop and at speed.
- An electrical complaint describes the Safety Connect system malfunctioning, with dealers unable to resolve it after multiple resets.
2018 Toyota Sienna recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
- NHTSA 20V012000Jan 13, 2020Fuel System1,830,752 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. 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 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
- 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.
2018 Toyota Sienna fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 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.
2018 compared with other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Toyota Sienna reliable?
- Relative to other Sienna model years, the 2018 ranks 8th out of 11 with a complaint index of 30 and a "Good" verdict. It has fewer complaints (72) than higher-ranked years like 2011 (614 complaints, index 100) and 2015 (232 complaints, index 90).
- What problems does the 2018 Toyota Sienna have?
- NHTSA data shows Transmission & Powertrain issues lead with 20 complaints (28% share) at a median mileage of 35,000 miles, followed by Fuel System (13 complaints) and Engine problems (10 complaints).
- Does the 2018 Toyota Sienna have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 Sienna, covering fuel system, brakes, steering, and wheel issues, including a wheel-lot recall specific to 2018 models. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Sienna compare to the 2016 or 2019 Sienna?
- The 2016 Sienna has a lower complaint index of 20 ("Best"), and the 2019 Sienna has an even lower index of 10 ("Best"), both ranking better than the 2018's index of 30.