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2006 Toyota Sienna

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2006 Toyota Sienna has 1,016 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (525 complaints) and electrical (366 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Sienna, consider the 2020 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2020 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2020 Toyota Sienna dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200018437187861
20011001923387
200210531302516
2003711261314
200416058418510482
2005854641174646
2006525663662138
200719925556321
200824438496235
2009144339174
20101118261116
2011265272393727
201210381031515
201310511391313
2014104923205
201513116472010
20165311542
2017599212933
2018241101716
20191816146
20201234125

By Category

Body
525
Electrical
366
Brakes
66
Transmission
38
Engine
21

By Severity

1
478
2
479
3
20
4
38
5
1

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2006 Toyota Sienna stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

The TPMS system failed in the ECM or engine computer. It uses the wheel speed sensors on each hub to measure differences in wheel speed and uses this to infer if any one wheel has low tire pressure. (This vehicle does not have TPMS sensors in the wheels.) However, with this failure, it reports a tire pressure problem even though all 4 tires are inflated properly. This problem persists even after cleaning then replacing wheel speed sensors. The problem appears to be in the ECM or engine computer, which is very difficult and expensive to replace. With this problem, the driver is never able to tell if any tire actually has low pressure because the system always reports that a tire has low pressure. Toyota should be required to fix this issue in all affected vehicles.

4mo ago
Body 1

While driving, there was a recurrent sound like doors locking and unlocking, several dozen times over a half hour drive at 50 miles per hour. When stopped, the passenger side sliding door opened by itself. Luckily, my dogs were in a kennel or they might have jumped out of the car. I closed it and it opened by itself again. At home, the passenger side sliding door opens when my neighbor presses the button on his key fob to open his non-Toyota pickup truck. It will not open or close when I press the button on my Sienna key fob.

6mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna equipped Hercules Tires, Tire Line: Roadtour 855 SPE, Tire Size: 215/65/R16, DOT Number: U96VH260H21. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH during a trip, the steering wheel started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, and the contact was informed that the two front tires had sustained tread belt separation and bulges. The two front tires were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the tire shop, and the contact was informed that the rear passenger's side tire had sustained tread belt separation, and the metallic belt was poking through the rubber. The contact requested that the rear tires be replaced as a precautionary measure. The rear tires were replaced. All four tires were replacement tires. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 173,414. The tire failure mileage was approximately 16,022. The VIN was not available.

11mo ago
Body 2

I am contacting you regarding Toyota Warranty Enhancement Program – ZE6. This concerns sticky and cracking dashboard and glare from this. I had no idea this existed. I own a 2006 and a 2010 sienna. I have not received any mailers from Toyota regarding either Sienna's . My van's dashboards are included in this program. Problem is, I never received notice from Toyota about either dashboard. Is there anything that can be done about this?

23mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the liftgate was opened and raised; however, the liftgate failed to remain open and raised as intended. The contact stated that when the liftgate was raised, the liftgate independently fell due to faulty liftgate struts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

23mo ago
Body 2

My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!

28mo ago
Transmission 1

Bought the van used last year. Previous owner said mechanic could not diagnose the issue. On slight curves similar to on-ramps while accelerating the Vehicle stability control (VSC) will engage unexpectedly, sound an alarm and jerk the steering wheel. Some times to the point of pulling the vehicle out of its lane. Road speed is decreased dramatically as it feels as though the ABS is engaging. This has happened to me at least half a dozen times since June 2023. The condition will continue for maybe five or ten seconds until the wheel is straightened and speed reduced. Searching the Internet seems it's a fairly common problem. The fix might be to replace the steering rack or disable the VSC system. It's reported by those experiencing the issue get little to no help from the dealerships which strikes me as quite strange... From what I've read it seems to affect 2004-2009 Siennas

33mo ago
Transmission 2

The bushing for the gear shift is broken causing the lever to disconnect from the cord preventing the vehicle from shifting gears. This caused the vehicle to become stuck in reverse. The car was stuck in reverse when attempting to shift to drive, nearly causing my wife to crash into another vehicle. There are multiple videos on YouTube demonstrating this problem, it is a known issue. The vehicle/component has not been manufactured. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms.

34mo ago
Brakes 1

Vehicle traction control system will activate around a curve and break the vehicle while the traction control warning system activates. Breaking around a curve in a wet road situation can be very risky. Numerous other Toyota owners have filed similar complaints.

35mo ago
Brakes 2

The vehicle stability control system randomly engages and activates the brakes without cause. This can happen on a gentle curve going under the speed limit. It is very scary and I am afraid it is going to cause an accident. Internet research shows many owners with this issue and no information on the cause or a fix

40mo ago
Brakes 1

Slip light indicator comes on and alarm goes off, while anti-lock brakes engage. This is happening while I'm driving on the highway never in the city. The car starts pulling to the right sometimes almost pulling me off the road. The road conditions are completely normal and dry no gravel in it no reason whatsoever for the anti-lock brakes to start engaging. When this first started happening it only happens on curves while I was driving approximately 35 mph. After a couple of months it started happening also while I was driving approximately 70 miles an hour going straight on a dry road. It almost pulled me off into a ditch. The steering is affected I can barely steer but I have managed to keep the car on the road. This is now happening more frequently. I was almost pulled into another car to my right once. At first it was only every couple of months but now I had it happen twice in about a hundred mile trip. There's no way I can get a mechanic to have this happen because you can't predict when it will happen and many miles it won't happen. It is very very dangerous and I'm afraid to take my Toyota sienna on the highway now. After researching it I have found that many people are having this trouble with their Toyota Sienna's there needs to be a recall or a repair. Apparently Toyota mechanics have replaced all kinds of things in the Sienna's but nothing has fixed the problem.

40mo ago
Body 2

This is a Braun Side Entry Rampvan Conversion. In 2008 there was a safety bulleting 34238 in which I took the vehicle in for inspection and any corrections. On January 19,2023 the rear axle mount broke off while driving. The vehicle was inspected by my insurance company, who denied my claim saying it was a result of wear and tear. The car fax report states it is a total loss due to flooding, which I am in the process of disputing. The cost to repair is several thousand dollars. Do I have any recourse regarding my vehicle. I had the vehicle serviced at Toyota for some normal mtce December 22 & 14th total cost of $3000.00, and there was no mention from them that there was an issue, which could have caused an accident.

41mo ago
Brakes 2

Every time I go around a curve, the ABS TRC and vehicle beeps like I'm sliding. It happens on every curve. Its very dangerous. I have unplugged the sensor under the front passenger seat and all problems go away. i have replaced this part and it still has not fixed the problem. with part unplugged i have no ABS TRC Airbags none of the safety equipment is working while unplugged, but is safer than having my brakes slammed in every curve.

42mo ago
Brakes 2

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that she heard a strange noise while decelerating and the brake pedal failed to engage. There were no warning lights. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal with force until the antilock braking system engaged but failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the brake pump was replaced but the failure recurred. The contact then had the brake pump replaced for a second time, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS needed to be replaced and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

47mo ago
Brakes 2

Vehicle Trac Control/ABS system engages periodically especially on winding roads between speeds of 30-60mph. Trac Control alarm goes off and vehicle pumps brakes automatically, then resolves. This is extremely dangerous especially when roads are wet/icy or when being followed too closely by another vehicle. Tried replacing front right wheel speed sensor but problem persists. Research shows this is a chronic problem with Sienna vans and needs to be repaired or guidance provided by Toyota on how to resolve before someone gets hurt. Please help!

50mo ago
Electrical 1

While driving vehicle on dry, non slippery roads with slight to moderate curves, vehicle illuminates Traction Loss light, sounds alarm buzzer, and at times applies brakes and dethrottles engine, even when no loss of traction has occurred. This happens while driving on straight roads with slight unevenness. Had to disconnect wheel speed sensor harness to disable ABS/VSC system. When this happens, the vehicle automatically applies brakes to certain wheels and dethrottles the engine, this can pull the vehicle to one side sharply and can cause an accident.

51mo ago
Electrical 2

Airbag warning light intermittently flashes, upon personal research on owner forums this is a common issue that is most commonly fixed by wiggling or disconnecting/reconnecting the airbag sensor wiring below the front seats.

52mo ago
Electrical 2

Airbag system warning light due to failing connector under the front passenger seat. Code 44 / B0111. See Toyota T-SB-0069-12. This is a pattern failure in a critical safety system.

53mo ago
Body 2

Swollen lug nuts. Won’t fit any wrench. Affects ability to remove a tire in case of needing to repair a flat tire.

56mo ago
Body 1

My Toyota Sienna XLE 2006 VSC and ABS comes on when I drive uphill or downhill mostly when I steer to the left. This is a situation common on freeway ramps in or out. When this happens the car slows down abruptly beeps a loudly. This is an issue reported by many owner of that vehicle model across several years.

56mo ago

1016 total

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