Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Toyota Sienna, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 54 | 14% |
| Power train | 49 | 13% |
| Structure | 35 | 9% |
| Tires | 34 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 30 | 8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 28 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 17 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 3% |
| Visibility | 12 | 3% |
| Suspension | 10 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I had my car's brake lines replaced at McGee Toyota in Hanover MA on June 20, 2023. On July 19, 2023, my wife and I had just exited the interstate, and were stopping at a grocery store on our way home. I tried to brake
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I have a 2000 Sienna with 305000 miles. I have never had trouble with this vehicle until about 2 weeks ago. When I am stopped and my car is in drive, I just tap the gas pedal for a second and the engine RPM will increase
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY B
NHTSA complaint: Parking brake
THE ENGINE LEAKS OIL AT VALVE COVERS. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED. STILL LEAKS. AND A LOT OF SLUDGE BUILDS UP= ON PUMP SCREEN. BLEW ENGINE!! HAD ENGINE REPLACED. SAME THING HAPPENING. I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY. &3 AND CAN NOT
NHTSA complaint: Engine
OUTER DOOR HANDLES ON DOORS OF SIENNA ARE EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND BREAK EASILY EVEN WITH NORMAL EVERYDAY GENTLE USE. OF THE 4 MAIN DOORS ON MY TOYOTA SIENNA, 3 OF THEM NOW HAVE BROKEN OUSISE HANDLES CAUSING THE DOORS NOT T
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE DID A STOP AND GO ACTION THAT OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE MOVED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE IGNITION WAS OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS STILL IN THE PARK POSITION. THE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO SECURELY LOCK AND SUDDENLY OPENED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DELLA TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2000 Toyota Sienna. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMP
Risk: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REME
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 92 | excellent |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 54 of them (14%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.