Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-TOYOTA-SIENNANHTSA data synced 3 days ago
Toyota
2016 Toyota Sienna problems
The 2016 Toyota Sienna has 75 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 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 2016 Toyota Sienna has 75 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is body at 21 complaints, typically surfacing around 27,500 miles (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Sienna?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
2 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Toyota Sienna VAN FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 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 — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 27,500 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
electrical — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 30,388 mi · ~$850 to fix
seatbelts — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,217 mi · ~$500 to fix
airbags — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 48,767 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 30,388 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — 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.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 Sienna· steering
The steering seized up on my 2016 Toyota van while stopped at a traffic light. I had to get the vehicle towed. There are only 20904 miles on the odometer. Toyota says my warranty is expired. Toyota says I will need a new steering assembly, which I will have to pay is for…
This new Toyota sienna 2016 was delivered with a defective front windshield with distortion at the center bottom. It causes the road markings to become wavy and distorted, and is dangerously distracting especially at night or in low light situations. The dealer was immediately…
Our 2016 Toyota sienna spontaneously caught fire while parked in our driveway after returning from a short drive. After pulling into our driveway and shutting off the ignition, my wife smelled smoke as she was exiting the parked vehicle. This smoke intensified and quickly…
I had car accident today and got hi my left front wnd really good and the police seen my car's air bag did not go off-it didn't shows up.my face got hitted by steering wheel.I was driving on city of puyallup washington running 25-35miles an hour when the vehicle behind me took…
Had a problem with your 2016 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 model year 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna minivans manufactured January 4, 2010, to August 12, 2016
If door opens while the vehicle is moving, there would be an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the junction block, rear sliding door wire harnesses, and install two sub wire harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G04.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Sienna vehicles manufactured February 15, 2016, to February 19, 2016
Failure and detachment of seat belt height adjuster would result in the occupant not being properly restrained in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt height adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0H.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Sienna reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Toyota Sienna is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Toyota Sienna?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Toyota Sienna does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 2 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 2016 Toyota Sienna?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 21 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 27,500 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 2016 Toyota Sienna a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 75 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 27,500 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 2016 Toyota Sienna?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 27,500 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 27,500 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 2016 Toyota Sienna?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 75 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 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Toyota/Sienna.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
