Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 1,017 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Sienna, and it carries 11 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 275 | 27% |
| Structure | 171 | 17% |
| Tires | 50 | 5% |
| Wheels | 37 | 4% |
| Steering | 35 | 3% |
| Structure | 35 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 33 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 30 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 26 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a recall repair, the mechanic discovered large holes in the center of the subframe caused by rust. The vehicle was no
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The TPMS system failed in the ECM or engine computer. It uses the wheel speed sensors on each hub to measure differences in wheel speed and uses this to infer if any one wheel has low tire pressure. (This vehicle does no
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
While driving, there was a recurrent sound like doors locking and unlocking, several dozen times over a half hour drive at 50 miles per hour. When stopped, the passenger side sliding door opened by itself. Luckily, my
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna equipped Hercules Tires, Tire Line: Roadtour 855 SPE, Tire Size: 215/65/R16, DOT Number: U96VH260H21. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH during a trip, the steering wheel starte
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I am contacting you regarding Toyota Warranty Enhancement Program – ZE6. This concerns sticky and cracking dashboard and glare from this. I had no idea this existed. I own a 2006 and a 2010 sienna. I have not received
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the liftgate was opened and raised; however, the liftgate failed to remain open and raised as intended. The contact stated that
NHTSA complaint: Structure
My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Bought the van used last year. Previous owner said mechanic could not diagnose the issue. On slight curves similar to on-ramps while accelerating the Vehicle stability control (VSC) will engage unexpectedly, sound an ala
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2006 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 Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affec
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oh
Risk: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compart
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Priu
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact
| Reliability raw | 42 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 92 | excellent |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,017 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 275 of them (27%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 42/100 (below average) 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 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. 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.