Does the 2018 Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?

NHTSA lists 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Sienna, 28% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 35,000.

Is there a recall for the 2018 Toyota Sienna transmission?

No. NHTSA lists no related recalls tied to this Transmission & Powertrain complaint area for the 2018 Sienna.

What transmission symptoms do 2018 Sienna owners report?

Owners describe a whining noise that leads to transmission failure, delayed acceleration with abrupt downshifts, and hesitation or gear hunting when climbing hills.

How does the 2018 Sienna compare to other years for this problem?

The 2018 model's 28% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is higher than most other Sienna years in the data, though 2017 (24%) and 2020 (21%) also show elevated shares.

Were there crashes or injuries linked to this issue?

NHTSA records 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries tied to the Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Sienna.

2018 Toyota Sienna Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Toyota Sienna, 28% of its 72 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 35,000. No related recall exists for this issue.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 20; 28% of 72
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 35,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report a whining noise from the transmission that progresses to full transmission failure requiring replacement.
Several report delayed or hesitant acceleration, including a 1-2 second lag before the transmission abruptly downshifts with loud engine revving.
Drivers describe hesitation and gear hunting while climbing hills or accelerating through intersections, with the powertrain feeling heavy or underpowered.
Some owners experienced a sudden slip in acceleration paired with a warning light about electronic control malfunction.
One driver reported the accelerator pedal failing to respond at highway speed, with the vehicle intermittently losing power on its own.
A vehicle stuck in 2WD mode with a diagnostic trouble code was reported alongside ongoing transmission whining.

When 2018 Toyota Sienna transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 26, 2018, latest Sep 22, 2026.

20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2018 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2026 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Toyota Sienna

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sienna model year

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

201017 (10%)
201130 (5%)
201217 (7%)
201314 (8%)
20147 (4%)
201512 (5%)
20163 (4%)
201737 (24%)
201820 (28%)
20197 (16%)
20208 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?: NHTSA lists 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Sienna, 28% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 35,000.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Toyota Sienna transmission?: No. NHTSA lists no related recalls tied to this Transmission & Powertrain complaint area for the 2018 Sienna.
What transmission symptoms do 2018 Sienna owners report?: Owners describe a whining noise that leads to transmission failure, delayed acceleration with abrupt downshifts, and hesitation or gear hunting when climbing hills.
How does the 2018 Sienna compare to other years for this problem?: The 2018 model's 28% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is higher than most other Sienna years in the data, though 2017 (24%) and 2020 (21%) also show elevated shares.
Were there crashes or injuries linked to this issue?: NHTSA records 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries tied to the Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Sienna.