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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-TOYOTA-SIENNANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2009 Toyota Sienna problems
The 2009 Toyota Sienna has 207 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2009 Toyota Sienna has 207 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is body at 84 complaints, typically surfacing around 79,735 miles (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
9
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Sienna?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Body: 84 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–102,000 mi
Electrical system: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 80,000–123,500 mi
Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average
10 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Toyota Sienna? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
body — 84 owner reports
· tends to show around 79,735 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
electrical — 26 owner reports
· tends to show around 104,216 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 85,868 mi · ~$700 to fix
airbags — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 98,840 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 79,735 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 10 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Sienna· electrical
Power sliding door cable failed/faulty. Risk of injury and safety. Toyota unwilling to repair under warranty. Sliding door inoperable - can't exit vehicle on side where door cable broke. This is a widely known and widely experienced safety defect across 6 years of Toyota sienna…
The power door cable has rusted clear through and snapped whipping around like a live wire. This was just after I put my 2 year old in his car seat. The car was parked..now the door will not open all the way and there is a cable loose on the driver's side. There is a bulletin…
2009 Toyota sienna, drivers side rear passenger door cable broke and initially left the door in the open position in a mall parking lot. Once closed manually to travel home, the door was left jammed in the closed position until we arrived home. I had to cut the cable assembly…
Rear hatch struts stopped working (manual door). Extremely heavy rear door of the sienna is now extremely dangerous. Once opened the door just crashes shut. It could easily kill someone who was standing under it. *tr
Had a problem with your 2009 Toyota Sienna?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles
If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V-429 are not affected by this recall.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 207 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Toyota Sienna has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Toyota Sienna?
The 2009 Toyota Sienna is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Body: 84 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–102,000 mi; Electrical system: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 80,000–123,500 mi; Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average; 10 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Toyota Sienna?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 84 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,735 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Toyota Sienna a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 207 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 79,735 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Toyota Sienna?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 84 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,735 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 79,735 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Sienna has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Toyota Sienna?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 207 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/Sienna.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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