Is the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen reliable?

Our reliability score for the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen is 8/10 (80/100), which puts it as strongly reliable. Most owners report 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance. RepairPal rates it 4/5.

How much does it cost to own a Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen per year?

Total estimated annual ownership cost for a Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen is approximately $2,434 for a 25-year-old male driver. This includes fuel at current US average prices, insurance, scheduled maintenance, tires, and oil changes. The 40-year-old female estimate is $2,214.

What is the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen gas mileage?

EPA combined fuel economy for the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen is 20 MPG, with 18 MPG city and 24 MPG highway.

What years does the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen cover?

This generation of the Toyota Sienna was sold from 2011 to 2020.

Is the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen safe?

Our safety score for the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen is 9.5/10 (95/100), which means it is genuinely safe by current data. IIHS rates the crash protection good. NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Is the Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen a good first car?

Not according to our criteria. Good first cars need a safety score 7.5+, insurance under $2,200/yr for a 25-year-old male, repairability score 7.0+, low rollover risk, and compact dimensions. The Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen misses on at least one of these.

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Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen

11-20 · Toyota Sienna

91out of 100

The Toyota Sienna 3rd Gen is the most reliable minivan in the used market — 50% reach 250k miles, AWD is available on all years, and the 2018+ models add Toyota Safety Sense standard.

Scores last updated: January 1, 2025

Score breakdown

80/ 100Reliability×2.5 84/ 100True Annual Cost×2.0 95/ 100Safety×2.5 100/ 100Practicality×2.0 100/ 100Repairability×1.0

78/ 100Long-Distance Comfort

22/ 100Enthusiast Appeal

Highest reliability of the minivans — 50% 250k survival. Safety Sense on 2018+ boosts safety score. One of the highest composite scores in the minivan class.

Our take

What it really is

The best minivan available in the used market for total value — 250k-mile engine reliability, Toyota Safety Sense on 2018+ models, and AWD availability that no other minivan offers.

Why it's on this list

A 2015-2018 Sienna 3rd gen with under 100k miles sits in the $18-25k range and offers the highest combination of reliability, safety tech, and family utility of any minivan at that price.

The honest trade-offs

Oil consumption on some V6 units — perform a cold-start oil level test before buying. Sliding door track wear and power tailgate motors are minor but common. The 2011-2012 first years had teething issues.

What to buy and what to avoid

The 2015-2018 LE or XLE. The 2018 for Toyota Safety Sense P standard. AWD adds real winter capability and is unique to the Sienna in this class. Check oil consumption with dipstick test before purchase.

Annual cost of ownership

Regular fuel. Toyota V6 longevity means minimal major repair budget needed for well-maintained examples.

Fuel (12k mi)

$1,950 (USD)^[5]

Maintenance

$554 (USD)^[1]

Tires (prorated)

$480 (USD)

Insurance (25yr male)

$1,320 (USD)^[8]

Insurance (40yr female)

$1,100 (USD)^[8]

Total (25yr male)

$2,434 (USD)

Total (40yr female)

$2,214 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined

20^[5]

MPG city / hwy

18 / 24^[5]

Tank

20 gal^[5]

Engine

3.5L V6

Horsepower

296 hp

Torque

263 lb-ft

Seats

Cargo (behind 2nd row)

39.1 cu ft

Cargo max

150 cu ft

Tow capacity

3,500 lbs

Ground clearance

6.5"

Stock tires

235/60R17

Body

Minivan

Rear seats

Folds flat

3rd row

Folds flat

Safety

NHTSA overall

5/5 ★^[2]

Rollover risk

21%^[2]

IIHS rating

Good^[4]

ESC standard

Yes

Driver assists

Toyota Safety Sense P standard on 2018+ (pre-collision, lane departure, adaptive cruise)

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity

Minimal

Frame rust risk

Minimal

Salt belt impact

Minimal

Excellent corrosion resistance. Toyota rustproofing quality is above the class average. Few issues reported even in northern states.

Known issues by mileage

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Sliding door track wearMinor$300 (USD)

Power door slows or stops. Track lubrication first, then track replacement.

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Oil consumption on V6Moderate$0 (USD)

Some 2GR-FE engines consume oil. Check level monthly and do dipstick test before buying.

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Power tailgate motor failureMinor$400 (USD)

Rear liftgate stops responding. Motor replacement.

Best and worst years

Best years

2015Mid-gen reliability peak; all first-year issues resolved
2016Strong reliability; good used availability
2017Well-sorted; good value window in used market
2018Toyota Safety Sense P standard — most important year for safety tech

Years to avoid

2011First year; sliding door motor and software issues most common
2012Second year issues present; reliability improves in 2013+

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost

$554 (USD)^[1]

Industry avg annual cost

$652 (USD)^[1]

RepairPal rating

4/5^[1]

Unscheduled visits/yr

0.3^[1]

Severe issue probability

11%^[1]

250k-mile survival

50%^[7]

Repairability

Headlight type

Halogen

DIY replacement cost

$25 (USD)

At major retailer

Yes

Headlight benchmark

10/10

Toyota 2GR-FE/FKS V6 with massive DIY and independent shop support. Parts inexpensive.

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

[1]dataset
RepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
[2]government
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
[3]government
NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
[4]dataset
IIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
[5]government
EPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
[6]forum thread
CarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
[7]dataset
iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
[8]publication
Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Toyota Sienna?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist