2018 Toyota Sienna Safety Report
2018 Toyota Sienna Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Toyota Sienna
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Toyota Sienna. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (7) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (67) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Toyota Sienna with 32 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Toyota Sienna before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Sienna Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Sienna years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Sienna | 43 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Toyota Sienna | 141 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota Sienna | 32 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Toyota Sienna | 75 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Toyota Sienna | 218 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Toyota Sienna Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Toyota Sienna, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyFuel System, Gasoline
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Toyota onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Toyota Sienna
Reliability Score
The 2018 Toyota Sienna receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Toyota Sienna
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Toyota Sienna
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Toyota Sienna:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Highlander, and 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans for fuel pump issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Multiple owners have reported transmission whining and hesitations, with some experiencing transmission failure. A P27137F code has been observed, and the vehicle may only be in 2WD mode. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings Braun Corporation is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions for brake hose and fitting issues. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Sliding Door Cable A power sliding door cable broke in a 2018 Toyota Sienna, not covered by the current service bulletin. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Toyota Sienna:
Fuel pump issues have been reported in 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Highlander, and 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans.
Transmission whining and hesitations have been reported in multiple 2018 Toyota Sienna models.
Braun Corporation is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions for brake hose and fitting issues.
A power sliding door cable broke in a 2018 Toyota Sienna, not covered by the current service bulletin.
Recall Details for the 2018 Toyota Sienna
The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Toyota Sienna by NHTSA:
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus I...
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota cust...
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna...
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Summary: Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.
Consequence: The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2019. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Summary: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain modified 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna vehicles. The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the extensions to fracture.
Consequence: If the steering shaft extension completely fractures, it can cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft extensions, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
Summary: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system.
Consequence: The reduction in the braking system pressure may cause a loss of braking power in the rear braking system, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will install an adaptor to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Sienna vehicles built with a specific lot of 10-spoke alloy wheels from one production facility. These wheels may not have been properly cooled during manufacturing. As a result, the wheels may crack in the spokes from an impact while driving.
Consequence: If the wheels crack at the spokes, the wheel may separate from the hub assembly causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota began notifying owners initially by phone on February 26, 2018 and will mail letters to any unnotified owner starting on April 20, 2018. Dealers will inspect the wheels and replace them if necessary depending on their production location, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0J.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Toyota Sienna
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Toyota Sienna with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
My 2018 Sienna had developed a whining noise when accelerating. After taking it in to the mechanic, they advised the transmission was failing. Estimated price tag of $6500-7000 to repair. The vehicle has less than 140K miles. Looking at different issues with this make/model and year, it seems like its rather common. I bought a Toyota for its reputation of getting at least 200K if not more mi...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and ascending a hill, the vehicle started making an abnormal whining sound and hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Transmission has been whining. A P27137F Code appeared and the vehicle is only in 2WD mode currently. Concerned to drive vehicle due to further damaging transmission or getting stuck while on the road.
My husband and I bought this van brand new 6 years ago. We have taken very good care of it and have had it serviced only at the dealership. We haven’t had any problem with the van outside of regular maintenance. On 10/29/25, I had a van full of children when I felt a slip in my acceleration and a warning light came on that read, “ A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or...
Transmission Whine and Hesitation. Low gear it will hesitate from stop. Know issue with this transmission. There should be a recall on all ua80 transmissions.
Hi, I’d like to report a serious issue with my 2018 Toyota Sienna related to the recent fuel system recall. Since the repair, the vehicle has leaked all of its gasoline not once, but three separate times. One of those times, my family was inside the vehicle, and the smell of gas was overwhelming. The car wouldn’t start, and it was clearly an unsafe situation. Now the dealership is charging me $1...
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 57,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,152.
Whining sound coming from vehicle while in drive and accelerator is depressed. Confirmed by dealership that the transmission is failing and needs replacement.
Power Sliding Door Cable broke but not covered on current service bulletin POL19-02 dated 06/19/2019 The door affected is the passenger sliding door on the drivers side of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle shut off independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. ...
This is a reoccurring issue on numerous occasions but the transmission programming is a danger to drivers when it is in economy mode (the default setting when car starts up). The transmission constantly starts at a higher gear (3rd or 4th) and reduces throttle input from a stop. It makes for a slower takeoff when making a right turn on the stop sign because the engine would be lugging. Similarly w...
The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Sienna The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact was rear-ended and the vehicle lost control and the vehicle rolled over multiple times and fell into a ditch. The contact stated that the side air bags did deploy but the front air bags did not deploy vduring the accident. Medical attention was given to the contact and her family in which they were transpor...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sierra equipped with a Joysceer USA Inc, Hand Control Unit. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message advising to "Stop immediately" was displayed with the error code: 4209 BSM. The contact stated that later a second error code: 1069 SAM was displayed. The contact stated that the messages were due to a malfunction of the Hand Control Unit. The ...
There has been a "whining" noise or "hum" upon acceleration noticed for several months to a year, could be longer, but getting worse over time. There is also a delay when pressing on gas for the vehicle to actually accelerate. I have had many instances where I am almost hit from behind because of this delay. Obviously the person's behind me have been following me entirely too closely, but nonethel...
I am an owner of a 2018 Toyota Sienna LE. The Vehicle has an issue with the safety connect system. Dealer first states that the cause is the data handling being off, called Toyota turned it on and waited for a few days and still did not work. Called Dealer to make an appointment for service, dealer advised that they reset the DCM twice and to wait 24-48 hours to see if it works. It still does not ...
When accelerating, both from a stop and/or at speed, there is a definite hesitation. When gas pedal is pressed down, there is a noticeable pause before acceleration begins. This causes safety issues especially when accelerating to merge with moving traffic. Have owned this van since Oct 2021, and it has always been an issue. Possible fuel filter problem. Have not reported issue to dealer. Currentl...
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The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof glass exploded without impact while closed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileag...
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Pull Over - Take to Dealer" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The ma...
The fuel line under the intake ruptured when I started my car on 2/21/23. The repair shop said they had never seen one fail like this. I do not have the parts. I was fortunate to be at home and that the engine wasn't hot when this happened so there was no fire. I had an issue starting the car ~ 1 month before that, but I don't know if the issue was fuel related. The car had been sitting fo...
Showing 20 of 67 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Toyota Sienna
Has the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA has 7 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA have?
The 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA has 67 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
The 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA involve power train (11 complaints), unknown or other (10 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (7 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, fuel system, gasoline, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA out of 67 total complaints (7.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA is acceptable with caveats. It has 67 complaints, 7 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (11 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (7 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (4 complaints), 5. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (4 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 11 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
Be cautious of fuel system and transmission issues. Regular maintenance and timely recalls can help mitigate these problems. The 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA has 67 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
The 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 67 owner complaints, 7 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump and Transmission.
What are the known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA?
Known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA SIENNA include: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump, Transmission, Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings, Power Sliding Door Cable. These are based on patterns found across 67 NHTSA complaints. 7 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Toyota Sienna?
Common issues include fuel system problems, transmission whining, and brake hose issues.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Toyota Sienna?
Yes, Toyota has issued recalls for fuel pump problems and Braun Corporation has issued recalls for brake hose and fitting issues.
What should I do if I notice transmission issues in my 2018 Toyota Sienna?
Take your vehicle to a dealership for inspection and possible repair, as transmission issues can be serious.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of fuel system and transmission issues. Regular maintenance and timely recalls can help mitigate these problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Toyota Sienna
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Toyota Sienna. The data includes 67 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 7 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Toyota Sienna an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16