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Toyota has been the benchmark for reliability in the car manufacturing industry; this includes its minivan series.
The Toyota Sienna minivan is no exception. It is a practical choice for a variety of reasons, especially for big families.
Compared to rivals like the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna has a plain design and limited advanced features. It effortlessly combines utility and comfort with the assured Toyota performance.
However, what the Toyota Sienna lacks in style and features it makes up for in durability and service life. The Sienna is the perfect car for transporting the family on trips or when you need to lug around soccer equipment.
But none of this matters if the car can’t go the distance. So how many miles can you get out of a Toyota Sienna?
You can expect that the Toyota Sienna can last 200,000 miles at least. However, with consistent and proper maintenance, a Sienna should be able to make it to 250,000 miles. Some owners have even reported that their Toyota Sienna has lasted well over 300,000 miles and beyond on the odometer.
You can expect to get this far with most of the original parts and little maintenance (such as belt replacement, etc.), which is a testament to how reliable Toyota cars are. This is a car that’s meant to last.
Of course how long it really lasts will depend a lot on how well it is taken care of and whether you do the proper maintenance and upkeep as needed. If you never change the oil, filters, or do any preventative maintenance then it won’t last near as long.
How Long Does the Toyota Sienna Last Compared to Similar Car Models?
The Toyota Sienna is built to last, but how does it compare when it comes to other models in the same market. Below, I’ve compared the Toyota Sienna to its main rivals in the minivan market segment.
Toyota Sienna vs. Honda Odyssey
Both minivan models come with the same standard 36,000-mile warranty and 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. My research also found that both cars can be maintained and serviced for around the same price.
The Toyota Sienna costs an average of $554 to maintain, and the Honda Odyssey costs around $547 per service. Generally, there’s little evidence that either model can outlast the other, so both have around the same longevity.
Because of this both Honda and Toyota minivan models are considered to be very reliable but you will also pay a premium for both of these models.
Toyota Sienna vs. Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan, like the Toyota Sienna, has been a trusted minivan for families across America for years. The Dodge provides exceptional reliability, especially when carefully maintained.
However, I’ve found that the Dodge Grand Caravan cannot match Sienna’s maximum service life, which sits at 300,000 miles. While you can get 200,000 miles easily, 300,000 miles would be stretching it on a Dodge Grand Caravan.
In terms of maintenance, the Toyota Sienna is cheaper in the long run. Where the Sienna would cost an average of $554, the Dodge will set you back $647. Another advantage of the Toyota Sienna is that it has better fuel efficiency meaning it costs less to operate than a Dodge Grand Caravan.
For example, the Grand Caravan can go just 20 miles on a gallon of fuel, the Sienna can reach 22 miles on the same gallon.
So although the Dodge Grand Caravan is over $3,000 cheaper than the Sienna, I would advise buying the Sienna because it is the better choice long-term.
What Year Is The Most Reliable For The Toyota Sienna?
Toyota recently released its fourth generation of Sienna in 2021. What’s new about this model is that it’s the first complete redesign of the van since 2010. The new car comes with excellent safety ratings and reviews, but this is not the best offering from Toyota in their Sienna series.
Looking at safety ratings, safety features, price, resale, reliability, upgrades, drivability, and more, the most reliable model is the 2019 Sienna.
The 2019 Toyota Sienna offers everything the 2020 and 2021 models do but at a lower price point. This 2019 Sienna has received excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If maintained regularly, the Sienna has tremendous longevity. It also comes with a whole host of safety and storage features, a powerful engine, all at a reasonable price.
If the 2019 model is out of your reach price-wise, you can opt for either the 2016 or 2018 model. All three have had the fewest reports of issues and recalls.
Which Toyota Sienna Years Are The Worst?
The worst thing you can do for yourself is to buy the 2007 Toyota Sienna model. It scored very low on the reliability scorecard with various issues ranging from leaks, transmission to engine issues.
Some of the problems were so serious that they had to recall the cars. I’ll discuss some of the significant issues in detail now.
1. Transmission issues
The transmission on the 2007 Siennas is prone to several problems. Some owners have reported that their transmission made weird noises and slipped on occasions.
If you happen to have a particularly bad case, your car could experience premature transmission failure and will require thousands of dollars to fix. You might also notice a loss of power after the vehicle has slowed down.
Moreover, the car’s gears tend to slip when decelerating such that they fail to engage at all when the driver attempts to accelerate again.
2. Engine issues
Some owners have complained of some Toyota Sienna models consuming excessive amounts of oil and producing copious amounts of smoke. Some owners have also reported cases of engine rattling, which significantly decreases the comfort and quality.
How Long Do The Brakes Last On A Sienna?
With proper maintenance and depending on how often you use the brakes (and how hard you drive the car) the brake pads on the Toyota Sienna should last you between 30,000 miles to 60,000 miles. You can expect your brake rotors to last up to 70,000 miles.
For your Toyota Sienna, you will spend $440-$547 to replace brake rotors and $242-$280 to replace brake pads.
How Long Do The Tires On A Toyota Sienna Last?
Your original Toyota Sienna tires can last anywhere from 60,000-80,000 miles, depending on how hard you drive. Rotating your tires every 5,000 miles will prolong their lifespan.
How Long Does The Transmission On The Toyota Sienna Last?
Again this depends on the regular maintenance and on how you drive your car. Expect the transmission of your Toyota Sienna to last anywhere between 130,000 and 180,000 miles.
How Can You Prolong The Life Of Your Toyota Sienna?
As I’ve stated before, regular maintenance is key to increasing the lifespan of your Toyota Sienna. This means frequent fluid changes, filter replacements, and so on should be done as specified in the service manual.
I would also recommend fixing problems as soon as they appear. Ignoring problems because your car is still in excellent condition will only lead to more problems over time.
A few of the things you need to stay on top with your Sienna are:
● Changing oil regularly and replacing filters when needed.
● Rotating your tires as recommended and replacing them if worn
● Fixing problems as soon as they come up
● Protecting the external areas of the car against rust
Final Thoughts
The Toyota Sienna is a pretty extraordinary and reliable car. It can give you as much as 300,000 miles which is pretty impressive. It’s one of those cars that you buy for longevity.
Just keep in mind the maintenance schedule that you have to stick to so that you get the best out of your Toyota Sienna.