I was driving my minivan getting in the highway when it just stop running period in the middle of the road. I could have been dead by now specially in a highway. Luckily, I was able to pull to the side very quick when car died on me. I had to pay a tow truck to take my vehicle home now Toyota does not want to fix it. Also, sliding door won't close. When pressing door button to close, door slides…
2014 Toyota Sienna electrical problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Sienna has well-documented electrical issues with power sliding doors that fail even after factory repair attempts, dashboard gauges that won't light up during daytime driving (a real safety problem), and one reported case of a door opening unexpectedly at highway speeds. Expect extended dealer wait times for parts and potential refusal to repair once recalls expire.
Power sliding doors are the main electrical failure point in these 2014 Siennas. Owners report doors that won't open or close automatically, locks that don't engage, motors that fail even after replacement, and one case of a door that slides back open when the close button is pressed. A burning electrical smell accompanied at least one failure. One owner waiting for recall repair 16V-858 found the dealer couldn't get parts until the following spring, and Toyota campaign ZK1 had expired on another vehicle, leaving it unrepairable under warranty despite the documented failures.
Dashboard illumination is a persistent design complaint. The gauge cluster (speedometer, RPM, temperature, fuel) won't light up during daytime driving unless headlights are on. In cloudy conditions or with sunglasses, owners can't read their speed easily—a legitimate safety issue. Toyota dealers and the manufacturer both confirmed this is how the vehicle is designed, not a defect.
One owner experienced complete engine shutdown without warning while entering a highway and reports Toyota refusing to repair it. Another had a door ajar sensor that kept illuminating even after replacement, with no solution from the dealer or manufacturer.
A critical incident involved a sliding door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle was moving on the highway, ejecting a buckled child who was only saved by a sibling grabbing him. The vehicle had an open airbag recall at the time.
Same Toyota Sienna electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Power Sliding Door Motor and Latch Failure
Passenger and driver side power sliding doors fail to open and close properly. Motors have been replaced but failures persist. Multiple components fail: power sliding door cable sub-assembly, center hinge assembly, rear lock assembly, and front lock assembly. Door may slide back open when button pressed to close, or fail to lock completely.
When: Approximately 100,000 miles reported in one case; failures occur during normal operation and after previous repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Doors locked and will not open automatically; Doors will not open manually; Door slides back open when close button is pressed; Door does not fully close or lock; Burning electrical odor accompanying failure; Door motor stops moving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced power sliding door motors, power sliding door cable sub-assembly, sliding door center hinge assembly, fuel filler door hinge and pin, power sliding door rear lock assembly, and sliding door front lock assembly. One dealer reported 3-hour repair time for recall work. Parts reportedly in high demand causing extended wait times (one owner quoted next spring availability).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Campaign Number ZK1 applies; campaign has expired in at least one case leaving vehicle unrepairable under warranty. Recall 16V-858 for power sliding doors issued. One owner reported dealer unable to repair until spring due to parts shortage.
Dashboard Illumination Malfunction
Instrument cluster and gauge lighting does not illuminate when engine is running at normal light control positions (OFF or DRL). Gauges and speedometer are dim or invisible in daytime driving, particularly in cloudy conditions or when wearing sunglasses. Design differs from previous Toyota models that illuminated dashboard lights upon engine start.
When: Affects daytime driving, especially in cloudy conditions or reduced visibility
Symptoms owners cite: No illumination of speedometer, RPM gauge, temperature gauge, or fuel level display at OFF or DRL positions; Gauges only dim when lights set to parking or headlight position; Inability to read speed easily on cloudy days or with sunglasses; Recessed gauges under hood design contributes to visibility problem
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Dealer service staff and Toyota manufacturer stated this is design-as-intended and not a defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota investigation concluded this is the way the vehicle is designed. Dealers confirmed other 2014 Sienna models on lot have same characteristic. No recall issued.
Door Ajar Sensor Malfunction
Door ajar warning sensor illuminates persistently even after replacement. Dealer and manufacturer unable to provide repair solution.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Door ajar sensor illuminated on dashboard; Persistent after sensor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replaced by dealer; failure continued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer unable to provide repair solution
Engine Stalling During Highway Operation
Vehicle completely stops running without warning while driving on highway. Engine dies with no opportunity for controlled shutdown. Owner forced to coast to safety.
When: While entering highway
Symptoms owners cite: Engine completely stops running; No warning before stall; Vehicle dies in middle of roadway
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; owner reports Toyota refusing to repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states Toyota does not want to fix it
Airbag Recall Non-Compliance and Safety Issue
Power sliding door opened unexpectedly during highway operation, ejecting child who was buckled in seat. Child was grabbed by sibling and prevented from falling. Vehicle has open airbag recall (Takata) that owner was unaware of at purchase.
When: While driving on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Sliding door opened unexpectedly while vehicle in motion; Child ejected onto roadway (prevented from falling by sibling)
Repairs/costs cited: Safety event, not repair issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle had expired or unfulfilled recall at time of sale. Toyota offered $20,000 buyback for vehicle in excellent condition with open recall. Owner requested full payoff or replacement vehicle; requests not accommodated despite willingness to purchase multiple replacement models.
Synthesized from 12 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 2014 Toyota sienna. The contact stated that the door ajar sensor illuminated. The sensor was replaced by the dealer, but the failure continued. The dealer and manufacturer were unable to provide a repair solution. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
Had electrical trouble with your 2014 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 electrical problem on the 2014 Toyota Sienna?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 94,048 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2014/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.