TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Toyota Sienna powertrain problems
critical 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
9injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
"DEALER 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 ANAL
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗TSB: World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) was introduced to reduce maintenance costs and increase the mileage between scheduled maintenance checks. Here are some important tips when working with ATF-WS in Toyota vehicles requiring it's use.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Sienna powertrain shows a constellation of distinct failures across transmission, accelerator response, and cooling systems. Transmission problems dominate the complaints: multiple owners report hesitation or slipping during low-speed acceleration after deceleration, particularly at intersections or when re-entering traffic. Several describe complete transmission failure between 53,000 and 127,000 miles, often before warranty expiration at 60,000 miles. One owner experienced a sudden loss of gear engagement on the highway; another reported the transmission shifting in and out of gear on its own while stopped. Dealers have attempted ECU reprogramming as a fix with no lasting success.
Oil system failures also recur: owners report ruptured rubber oil cooler hoses and VVT-I hoses that burst without warning, causing complete oil loss and engine damage. A defective radiator connector fitting mixed coolant with transmission fluid. One owner experienced sudden uncontrolled acceleration where the pedal stuck, brakes failed to respond, and shifting to neutral had no effect—though the dealer blamed floor mats despite the owner seeing none.
Shift lock solenoid issues surface: a four-year-old child shifted a parked, off, unkeyed vehicle into neutral, and another report notes occasional easy shifting out of park without the key or brake pedal engaged. One owner also reported the vehicle rolling forward when placed in park due to a broken linkage piece at the gearbox.
Throttle hesitation and delayed acceleration response occur consistently, sometimes following service calls where technicians claim nothing is wrong or suggest the issue is a known design flaw corrected in later years.
Same Toyota Sienna powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slipping and hesitation at low speed
Transmission fails to engage smoothly during re-acceleration after deceleration, particularly at intersections or during lane changes. Engine revs but vehicle hesitates or lurches forward after a 1–2 second delay.
When: Low speeds, typically 5–10 mph; at 65,000–127,000 miles in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Engine rev with no movement for 1–2 seconds; Sudden lurch forward after hesitation; Transmission jerks when shifting gears; Loss of ability to quickly accelerate out of traffic; Transmission slips at 6–8 mph when accelerator depressed
Codes mentioned: ECU reprogramming attempted (reset adaptive memory and shift points)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed ECU reprogramming; no lasting fix. Complete transmission replacement cited as $3,000–$5,900.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers suggested design problem corrected in later model years; one dealer claimed issue was normal and refused repair.
Complete transmission failure
Transmission stops engaging entirely, leaving the vehicle immobile on the road. Occurs at low mileage relative to typical transmission life and before or just after warranty expiration.
When: 53,000–127,000 miles; failure within 3–4 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unable to move despite gear shift in Drive; Inability to release gear shift; Transmission failure confirmed by dealer diagnostic; Jerking and hesitation precedes failure in some cases
Codes mentioned: Transmission failure confirmed by dealer diagnostic test
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement required; costs reported at $5,000–$5,900 plus towing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reported manufacturer offered no assistance when vehicle was out of warranty (past 60,000 miles/60 months). NHTSA campaign 13V429000 (powertrain) repair performed on one vehicle but did not correct failure.
Sudden uncontrolled acceleration with brake and transmission failure
Accelerator pedal sticks or does not respond to release; brakes fail to slow vehicle; shifting to neutral has no effect. Vehicle continues accelerating without driver input.
When: During highway driving at 45–70 mph; single incident reported
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal depressed and will not release; Foot completely off pedal but vehicle continues accelerating; Brake pedal depressed with no response; Vehicle accelerates 60+ mph with no foot on accelerator; Shifting to Neutral has no effect; Engine only responds when downshifted to 3rd gear
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspected twice and attributed cause to floor mat, though owner saw no mat interference.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributed to floor mat interference and referred to Toyota case numbers.
Rubber oil cooler hose rupture
Rubber oil cooler hose bursts without warning, causing complete oil loss and engine damage. Occurs at highway speeds with no warning light. Hose replacement with rubber hose results in repeat failure within weeks.
When: 55,000–120,900 miles; occurs during normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from under vehicle or rear; Oil leaking on street and engine bay; Engine oil level drops to zero or nearly zero; Low oil warning light does not illuminate; Hose burst again 3 weeks after first replacement; Engine damage from operating without oil
Repairs/costs cited: Rubber hose replaced twice with same inferior rubber hose; owner purchased aftermarket all-metal hose from dealership. Toyota TSB-0201-11 (Oil Cooler Pipe Seep) exists but not widely communicated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota offered extended warranty coverage ending at 100,000 miles/10 years; owner's vehicle had 120,900 miles. No proactive recall issued. Dealership did not inform owner of upgrade option during oil change visit one week before failure.
VVT-I hose rupture with engine damage
Rubber VVT-I hose ruptures during highway driving, causing total oil loss and severe engine damage requiring replacement. No warning light activates despite zero oil in pan.
When: Highway driving at 65 mph; approximately 126,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine oil all over engine bay and undercarriage; Dipstick shows no engine oil; Low oil warning light does not illuminate despite zero oil; Engine fails after operating without oil for significant period; Abnormal knocking noise in engine after hose replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Ruptured hose replaced with metal hose; engine required replacement due to damage from oil starvation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for VVT-I hose rupture. Owner purchased all-metal hose from dealership but received no warning of rubber hose rupture issue. Dealership unaware of or did not communicate TSB-0201-11.
Transmission cooler/radiator connector failure with fluid mixing
Defective fitting at the bottom of the radiator cracks, allowing transmission fluid and coolant to mix in the engine compartment. Creates sudden failure risk without prior warning.
When: After short 5-mile trip; at 95,510 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking onto driveway; Coolant and transmission fluid mixing in engine compartment; Heavy smoke from under hood during rain-soaked highway driving; Defective connector or radiator body crack
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement and transmission flush required; cost reported at $977.30. Continued driving risks transmission damage costing $3,000+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No proactive notification or recall; owner discovered problem only after observing fluid leak.
Shift lock solenoid failure allowing unintended gear shifts
Vehicle can be shifted out of Park without ignition key in, without key in ignition, or without brake pedal pressure applied. Four-year-old child was able to shift parked vehicle into Neutral, causing it to roll down driveway.
When: Intermittent; occurs 'occasionally' and inconsistently
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifted out of Park by child without key or brake pedal; Vehicle rolled down driveway and struck trees; Gear shift can sometimes be moved without key in ignition; No brake pedal pressure required to shift out of Park
Repairs/costs cited: Owner stated they would take vehicle to dealer for service; no repair details provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No mention of recall or TSB; owner noted NHTSA campaigns for shift lock solenoid and spare tire carrier cable corrosion exist, but shift lock function issues may not be formally addressed.
Vehicle rolls forward when placed in Park
Vehicle does not remain stationary when shift is placed in Park position. Caused by broken linkage piece at gearbox.
When: At 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls forward when placed in Park; Broken piece of linkage at gearbox location
Repairs/costs cited: Broken linkage piece identified by dealer but no repair details provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recalls or related warranties available.
Throttle hesitation and delayed acceleration response
Engine/transmission hesitation or non-responsiveness when accelerator depressed, particularly after lifting off throttle for bumps or turns. Occurs consistently across multiple driving scenarios.
When: Occurs consistently during normal driving; reported at 55,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle does not respond quickly like other vehicles; Hesitation when re-accelerating after lifting off throttle; Vehicle hesitates for 1–2 seconds before responding to accelerator; Problem occurs on turns and when accelerating from stopped position; Happens 'all the time' according to owner
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control referenced, Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair reported; dealer unable to find problem despite check engine codes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state they cannot identify a problem; no fixes attempted.
Front differential seal leakage
Front differential leaks oil due to faulty seals. Identified at routine service with multiple vehicles presenting same issue simultaneously at dealer.
When: At 120,000 miles service interval
Symptoms owners cite: Leaking front differential seal
Repairs/costs cited: 16 hours labor required for repair; total bill $1,404.60 plus $31.79 rental car. Rack and pinion also leaking, with shared labor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No mention of recall; technician noted three other Sienna vehicles in shop with same leaking differential issue at time of service.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Toyota Sienna?
It's a serious issue. 26 complaints have been filed, including 3 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 36,122 and 120,850 miles, with the median around 81,307. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,122; a quarter make it past 120,850. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2007/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.