2018 Toyota Sienna Safety Report

The 2018 Toyota Sienna presents a mixed safety profile, achieving an excellent 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with 5 stars in side crash tests and 4 stars in frontal and rollover tests. This indicates strong performance in controlled crash scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 67 total NHTSA complaints, including 5 crashes and 6 injuries, suggesting real-world issues. A significant concern is the high number of recalls, with 7 issued for this model year. These recalls address critical safety components such as the fuel pump (two separate recalls), brake hoses, steering shaft extensions, and wheels, all of which could lead to a loss of vehicle control or increased crash risk. The fuel pump recalls, in particular, highlight a potential for engine stalling while driving. Complaint data reveals a recurring pattern of power train issues, accounting for 11 complaints, with many specifically detailing transmission failure, whining noises, and hesitation during acceleration. This aligns with several sample complaints describing transmission replacement needs at relatively low mileages (e.g., less than 140K miles). Other notable complaint areas include 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' (10 complaints) and 'FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM' (7 complaints), which could be related to the fuel pump recalls. Airbag complaints (4 total) also appear, with one user reporting side airbags deploying but front airbags failing to deploy in a 70 MPH rollover crash, raising questions about specific deployment scenarios. The recall history is extensive and addresses fundamental safety systems. For instance, the fuel pump recalls (20TA02 and 20TA07) directly link to the risk of engine stalling. Recalls from mobility conversion companies (Vantage, Braun) for brake hoses and steering components indicate potential vulnerabilities in modified vehicles. The recall for specific 10-spoke alloy wheels (18TA04) points to a risk of wheel separation. While the 5-star overall rating is reassuring for standard crash protection, the volume and nature of complaints, especially regarding the power train and the numerous critical recalls, suggest that owners may encounter significant reliability and safety-related issues beyond crashworthiness.

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the numerous critical recalls and recurring transmission issues. Thoroughly check if all 7 recalls have been addressed and consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission and fuel system.