TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Sienna suspension problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 16 suspension complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Sienna, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Toyota Sienna we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for Regional and PD associates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Region Letter: Safety Recall completion is important not only in satisfying government requirements but also is an integral part of our commitment to meet customer expectations of Toyota products. Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. We request your assistance in completing the applicable campaign repairs as owners receive the Follow-Up Notice and contact your dealership. Please note the follow-up activity may cause an increase in your current campaign owner appointments. Toyota will continue with additional follow-up activities in the months to come. Please take this into consideration when analyz
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FRONT SUSPENSION TICK NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a pattern of suspension wear and component failures on the 2006 Sienna that damage tires and handling. Multiple complaints describe uneven tire wear tied to factory rear camber settings and misalignment that dealers say cannot be corrected due to design. Tires wear out prematurely—some owners report needing replacements every 18 months or 20,000 miles despite alignment specs being within factory limits. Several owners had struts fail and require replacement between 5 and 70 mph, with loud popping noises reported. One owner's lower ball joint ripped out the control arm, causing a crash into a parked vehicle and injury to a passenger at 111,077 miles. Rear axle mounts on mobility conversion vans became loose or separated from the chassis, causing fishtailing and loss of control; one recall addressed inadequate welding on these mounts. An owner reported violent jerking at 45 mph traced to struts and suspension needing replacement. Rear gate struts failed completely on a manual liftgate. Inner tie-rods showed play as early as 28,400 miles. One strut corroded and separated from the vehicle body. Traction control warnings accompanied pulling to the right during highway driving in one instance.
Same Toyota Sienna suspension reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Rear wheel camber and alignment
Factory rear suspension geometry set with negative camber that cannot be adjusted or corrected, causing accelerated inner-edge tire wear. Owners report dealers confirming suspension is designed this way and cannot be modified.
When: As early as 12,000 miles; complaints from 12k to 68k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven tire wear on inner edge of tires; Tires wearing out every 18 months or less than 20,000 miles; Tire dealers refusing to warranty tires due to obvious misalignment from wear; Bottom of rear wheels visibly leaning toward vehicle after alignment attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated nothing could be done; 4-wheel alignment attempted but did not correct the issue
Front strut failures
Struts fail during normal driving with loud popping noise or violent jerking, requiring replacement. One strut corroded and the top broke off completely.
When: Between 5 mph slow-speed driving and 70 mph highway driving; failures reported at 68,000 and 111,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping noise during low-speed driving; Violent jerking at 45–70 mph; Vehicle moved up and down then crashed into parked vehicle; Corrosion of strut with top separating from vehicle body
Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger and driver side struts replaced; front end alignment performed; right front sway bar link also replaced in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware but did not offer assistance in at least one case
Lower ball joint and control arm separation
Lower ball joint ripped out the control arm, causing immediate loss of vehicle control and crash into a parked vehicle.
When: At 111,077 miles during low-speed (5–10 mph) driveway entry at night
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle moved up and down unexpectedly; Vehicle crashed into parked vehicle; One passenger was injured; Police report filed
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shop identified lower ball joint ripped out control arm; vehicle not repaired per complaint
Inner tie-rod wear and play
Inner tie-rods showing movement well before typical wear intervals, indicating premature wear that will cause tire wear.
When: As early as 28,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Small amount of movement detected in both inner tie-rods; Movement that should not exist per mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: Identified by mechanic but not described as repaired in complaint
Rear gate strut failure (manual liftgate)
Rear gate suspension struts completely failed and will not hold the gate open, making loading and unloading difficult and unsafe.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Struts will not hold open rear gate at all; Difficulty or impossibility holding gate open with one hand while loading/unloading; Dangerous operation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Partial recall exists for power liftgate models but not for manual liftgate owners
Rear axle mount separation (mobility conversion vans)
Driver-side rear axle beam mount inadequately welded to chassis, leading to separation and loss of vehicle control. Affects Braun Side Entry Rampvan conversions built on Sienna chassis.
When: One failure at 2023 inspection after prior safety bulletin 34238 in 2008; vehicle experienced fishtailing while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loud sound from rear of vehicle; Vehicle began fishtailing; Squeaking noise from rear; Rough ride; Degradation in vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid out of pocket for repair after being denied warranty due to vehicle age; another owner's repair cost several thousand dollars
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety bulletin 34238 issued for inspection and correction; recall states mount may become partially separated from chassis
Traction control warning with pulling
Traction control warning illuminated and vehicle pulled to the right during highway driving at 70 mph.
When: At 36,000 miles while driving at 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control warning indicator illuminated; Vehicle inadvertently pulled to the right; Issue resolved after releasing accelerator and slowing vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Not taken to mechanic or dealer for diagnosis
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Toyota sienna. While driving approximately 5-10 MPH at night, the vehicle moved up and down and then crashed into a parked vehicle. A police report was filed. One passenger was injured. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was informed that the lower ball joint ripped out the control arm which caused the crash. The vehicle had not been…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota sienna. While driving 70 MPH, the traction control warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle inadvertently pulled to the right. After releasing the accelerator pedal and slowing the vehicle down, the vehicle was able to operate correctly. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was not…
Had suspension trouble with your 2006 Toyota Sienna?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2006 Toyota Sienna?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 48,454 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 55,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,454; a quarter make it past 95,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Toyota/Sienna.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.