2011-2020 Toyota Sienna Buying Guide

Toyota master diagnostic technician talks about common problems and things you should know when buying or owning a Sienna minivan in this Sienna buying guide.

I'll talk about Engine problems including sienna engine oil leaks, Toyota Sienna head gasket leak, Toyota Sienna oil cooler line leaks Also Toyota sienna transmission problems including the toyota sienna 8 speed transmission.

I'll also cover Toyota Sienna sliding door problems, Also Toyota sienna head liner stains and Toyota Sienna tailgate or back door problems.

I'll discuss common chassis problems like Toyota Sienna Strut leaks, Toyota Sienna bad strut mount Toyota Sienna sway bar links Toyota Sienna steering noise Toyota Sienna front lower control arm Toyota sienna run flat tires and more.

I'll touch base on Toyota Sienna radio problems.

And last I'll make recommendations for Best year to buy a Toyota Sienna.

Check my video series for How to Maintain your Toyota below for more information on maintenance:

This video covers 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Toyota Sienna models in all Trims including LE XLE Limited and AWD models. Also I hope with this guide you'll get an idea if you want to buy this generation Sienna or wait for the 2021 Sienna Hybrid.

If you have questions leave them in comments section or email 0:00 Intro
1:12 Engine issues
3:00 Engine oil leak Inspection
9:01 Transmission issues
12:05 Body issues
22:04 Chassis Issues
29:55 Electrical Issues
31:43 Best year to Buy

#thecarcarenut #toyotasienna #toyota #2019toyotasienna #2020toyotasienna

[liznitsch]

I've never owned a minivan, I prefer SUV's, but I need more cargo space and better gas mileage. I know very little about cars in general, have a trusted, reliable mechanic. Dealerships see a female sucker when looking at me. With this video I feel more confident on what to look for and what questions to ask. They already agreed to a pre purchase inspection by my mechanic, but thanks to this video I'm feeling much more confident. Thank you and God Bless! This was exactly what I needed!

[zv]

This is the most useful resource for any used car buyer. A thorough comb-thru, by an experienced Master Tech whose gone thru repairing a large number of the cars in question.Teaching people how to properly look at cars and saving them a lot of money/headaches in the process. Super detailed and very much appreciated

[JJ-gcdu]

I searched a long time, just found a 2015 that looks great (engine, underside, and It's headed to "my" professional garage for a 40--point check tomorrow and I'm running through this video, taking notes, so I can talk w/ the garage about these points. It's terrific to have this information; thank you. Keep up the good work!!

[icebergknowledge]

I GOT 2012 WITH 345000 STILL RUNNING STRONG 😊

[spodee]

I own a v6 2014. It’s been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I have 90+K miles and have only ever done routine maintenance.

[EsotericFleetMechanic]

Amazing I have a 2011 Sienna LE 8pass V6 FWD. it’s been the best car we ever owned! I change the oil every 4-5k miles with Castrol titanium 20k oil and an OEM filter. We bought it at 68k miles and we are now at 115k. Just installed a new set of AT tires and the current todo list is: coolant flush(no leaks), brake flush and rear rotors and pads, spark plugs, Eng and Cab air filters, and I’d like to do the fuel filter too. We did upgrade the radio to an Alpine unit with the kit to keep the steering wheel controls and the backup cam. It has CarPlay and can be updated as needed easily. This van has been a great blessing for us with three kids 7- newborn and l love the V6 in it. It runs great with Chevron Premium and driving it as nicely as possible and not breaking the speed limit I can get 22.7 avg MPG all week long. (Empty/no passengers) driving to work. 45 min one way with traffic. Awesome job on this video and we are looking forward to watch more and share with our other Toyota friends and family! God bless ya

[scottehrlich]

I am the original owner 2012 XLE has 270, 000 miles. Lots of tires, brakes, oil changes and one alternator. That’s it! I did add a Curt towing hitch and factory trailer wire harness bc U-Haul version was replaced over and over. They just splice and dice a cheap Chinese version. I’ve towed small ski boat, 14 foot cargo trailer and a kayak on a jet ski trailer many times. The only service I’m afraid to do is transmission fluid. I hear bad things happen after trans fluid change. This mini van is better than my Land Cruiser. Thanks for another great video. Subscribe people !
Over

[runnerandtundramods]

You are awesome! We purchased my wife a 2013 XLE Sienna new in 2013, we purchased the extended warranty from Toyota 125K or 8yrs. Right out of the dealer they had to do an alignment I guess it was not done property at factory. 1st year they replace right front strut that was leaking. All this under warranty.
The only problems that I would have been responsible if I did not had the extended warranty would have been, At 60K they replaced the radio unit. Bluetooth stop working$1400
second issue would have been the water pump at 70k it would have cost me $1100 however my Toyota warranty covered the repairs. My van has 81k now and my warranty is still good till 08/2021. ill have it inspected in the spring by a mechanic to see if there are any leaks or broken parts before my warranty expires. The only money we have spent out of pocket is for tires, brakes and oil changes, air filters and gas of course! I asked my wife is she wanted the 2021 Sienna and she said NO! She loves her 2013 Sienna!
Thank you for all the time you spent putting all these info in order to educate us.
John from Virginia

[mickleb]

"Always treat that backdoor gently" best advice ever. Not just for the Sienna.

[susanpoisson]

I did a LOT of research before settling on my 2013 Sienna Limited w/43, 450 miles on it, corporate owned (not personal), excellent condition, all maintenance records available for review. One thing I kept seeing in my search was that for every 2013-2016 or 2018-2020 pre-owned I saw for sale, there would be about TEN 2017 models. They far outnumbered the other model years. That to me was a huge red flag. I did some research and saw that the '17 seems to have more complaints than the others - and your video here confirmed that. All model years have some complaints, of course - but the '17 Sienna seems to really have problems - at least in what I could see in my research. Traded in my '04 Sienna XLE Limited for the 2013 Sienna Limited, and so far, very happy with it.

[IknowImNotCrazyYoumightbe]

still recall changing the door actuator that kicks off the sliding door mechanism on my 2006 Sienna. Was a very cheap part and thank goodness few people did step by step how to take off the inner door panels and do the repair. Afterwards, it worked GREAT

[austinmifsud]

Holy cow! I am looking to buy a 2018-2020 and this has helped me soo much! I am going to revisit a few vans I have seen recently to check on some of these problems. Thank you from the bottome of my wallet. 🎉

[paulh]

Just purchased a used 2015 with 72k miles. One owner, all 5k services done by the same Toyota dealership. Thank you for your help!✌🏼

[lovethislife]

I'm the third owner of our 2011 sienna xle. It is honestly the best vehicle I've owned. We can have 7 adults and be comfortable. The leg room is incredible, the comfort is insane. Everyone loves it and all of our friends ask to borrow it or all want to ride with us when we are going to Vegas. Its an incredible vehicle. Ill probably never not own a Toyota sienna.

If you're thinking about getting a sienna, do it. We will be lifting it slightly with the traxda leveling kit and slightly bigger tires when our warranty expires so we dont scrap the bottom when we do camping excursions.

[Pecharly]

Almost 2 years with my 2015 Sienna Limited, almost 120K and it runs great, no major issues at all, just regular services

[alacran]

Currently on my second sienna. First was a 2004 that i owned for ten years (since new) and it still been daily used by a friend without having to repair its engine or transmission ( recurring nuances were front brake/rotors and tires). Currently own a 2015 (bought used in March 2019 with 35k miles). It has been rock solid reliable to this day. Recurring nuance is front brakes(bent rotors). Recently installed "heavy duty" slotted and vented rotors to see if lifespan increases (they have been lasting less than a year). We all love this van at home.

[SG-gozc]

Very good description of these vehicles. Just want to add some insight. I believe to think that the oil leak behind engine is not from the timing cover, it's from the vvt oil hose crush washer, we replace those all the time for that issue.
The head gasket leak is generally not significant enough that requires repair. We see these all the time driving for years with the leak. There is usually just a little crusty pink stuff right under the cylinder 3.
These vans eat tires! The reason I believe is because of the control arm bushings.
The ac compressor flow sensor is a common issue. We have a hack repair for those.
Had seen a couple of rear expansion valve issues.
Ac doesn't get so cold or takes very long to get cold. We find the condensers are clogged.
Th axles click prematurely.
The driver's temperature blend door stops moving. The sprocket teeth from the blend door mechanism and motor separate.

[markbailey]

I just bought a 2007 Sienna with 82k miles. Super clean and everything thing works. Wish me luck.
$4, 500.00

[joeshay]

outstanding video. We are finally retiring our 2005 LE and we are going to see a 2017 XLE and a 2019 SE today. I think I'll steer clear of the 17s after watching this

[Quinn_Reflections]

Thank you! I just purchased a 2014 that was serviced every 5k, it has 175k miles. After watching your video, I feel more comfortable knowing it had one owner, no accidents and had impeccable maintenance records. I will keep up with the maintenance and watch for the issues you mentioned. Great video! Blessings.