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2009 Toyota Sienna Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Toyota Sienna has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power sliding door cable/motor assembly failure.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Toyota Sienna.

Reported to NHTSA

Power sliding door cable/motor assembly failure

STRUCTURE

96 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2023-10

“THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDE DOOR AFTER I OPENED IT , THE CABLE THAT CONTROLS THE OPEN AND SHUT BROKE. THE VAN WAS NOT RUNNING OR MOVING I HAD JUST OPENED THE DOOR THEN HEARD IT SNAP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11145243
“CABLE SNAPPED ON 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA SLIDING DOOR WHILE OPENING IT. DOOR CANNOT OPEN OR CLOSE, EVEN WITHOUT POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10946945
“THE CABLE FOR THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR SNAPPED AND GOT JAMMED IN THE MOTOR CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR TO BE STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10630752

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering rack and pinion fluid leak

STEERING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-09 → 2017-09

“TOYOTA DEALER SAID THE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT WAS LEAKING HAD TO BE REPAIRED, AT A VERY HIGH COST. LOOKING ONLINE, I FIND THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10660823
“TOYOTA 2009 SIENNA LE 2WD POWER STEERING RACK & PINION SEAL FAILED AND LEAKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT 85,000 MILES. THE RACK BOOT ALSO TORE BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10990736
“WENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN ALIGNMENT, CAR DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING SHAFT WAS VERY WORN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10542105

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spare tire carrier cable corrosion recall parts delay

WHEELS

14 NHTSA complaints · 2010-06 → 2015-11

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V273000 (TIRES) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10794321
“WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS (65 MPH) ON INTERSTATE 290 HEADING WEST OUTSIDE OF WORCESTER, MA AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30AM THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE CAUSING US TO RUN OVER THE TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10610655
“SOMETIME AROUND AUGUST 2014, I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA. IT MENTIONED A NEW SAFETY RECALL #E1S WHICH SUPERSEDES THE PRIOR NOTICE #A9E”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10694172

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power liftgate/rear hatch strut failure and auto-close

STRUCTURE

16 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2018-01

“REAR HATCH ON 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE CLOSES SPONTANEOUSLY AND DOES NOT STAY UP W/O HOLDING IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10344829
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10489404
“LIFT GATE STRUTS ON 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE FAILED MEANING THAT THE REAR DOOR DOES NOT HOLD ITSELF UP WHEN OPENED. THERE ARE TWO STRUTS AND BOTH HAVE FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10410012

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard surface melting, stickiness, and cracking

STRUCTURE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2021-08

“THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN OUR TOYOTA SIENNA. WE HAVE HAD THE VAN HANDICAPPED ADAPTED. MY HUSBAND IS A DISABLED VET AND I AM THE DRIVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629210
“THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY. YOUR HAND WILL STICK TO IT. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT WAS JUST THE DRIVERS SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10598999
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED FRACTURES AT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AREAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10853464

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

SRS airbag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2020-01

“2009 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 134K MILEAGE HAS SRS WARNING LIGHT ON ALL OF A SUDDEN AND STAYS ON. TOYOTA DEALER WOULD CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSING AND CHARGE ME IF ANY FURTHER JOBS NEED TO BE DONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11298574
“THE AIRBAG LIKE CAME ON AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. HAD MECHANIC CHECK IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SQUIB CIRCUIT HAD A SHORT AND THAT IF IN AN ACCIDENT AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11180500
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD FLASH OFF AND ON INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10659180

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration events

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

13 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2018-05

“UNEXPECTED ACCELARATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK;LOW SPEED, BARELY MOVING. THE VEHICLE(2009 TOYOTA SIENNA LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGED TO THE SIENNA AND THE PARKED VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096912
“MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A DAYCARE PARKING SPACE WITH OUR TWO KIDS, GOING 3 MPH (ACCORDING TO BLACK BOX READINGS) WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10386355
“IN NOVEMBER 2009 WHILE PARKING MY CAR IN STORE PARKING, MY FOOT WAS ON BRAKE MY CAR ACCELERATED, SUDDENLY JUMPED ON THE 1 FOOT HIGH FOOTPATH AND CRASHED INTO THE STORE INJURING FEW PEOPLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10303893

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

29 crashes 1990–2024

How the 29 occupant deaths break down

13

driver deaths

16

passenger deaths

29

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

15

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Toyota Sienna reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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