2003 Toyota Sienna: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Toyota Sienna: 1 recall, 105 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #10V160000 · 2010 · 600,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The subject vehicles are equipped with the spare tire stowed under the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated in the cold climate regions of the united states where road salt is frequently used, water splashed backwards with high concentrations of road salt can reach the spare tire carrier and corrode the spare tire carrier assembly cable.
Why it matters: The cable May break due to excessive corrosion and the spare tire May separate from the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners with an interim letter initially instructing them to bring their vehicle to authorized dealers to inspect for corrosion. A second notice will be sent when the permanent remedy is available. For more information, please see Toyota's amended recall report of July 19, 2010.…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Latches & locks (21): the most common themes are door / lock issues (20).
- Body & structure (18): the most common themes are door / lock issues (14), noise or vibration (3).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (12): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), brake failure / soft pedal (3).
- Speed control / throttle (11): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (4), stalls / loses power (2).
The 2003 Toyota Sienna has 105 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 25 Sienna model years for complaints (well below the 342 average). Complaints peaked in 2010 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 54,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (181 complaints, 1 recalls), 2004 (2062 complaints, 10 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Toyota Sienna.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2003 Toyota Sienna have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2003 Toyota Sienna. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Toyota Sienna problems?
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are latches & locks (21), body & structure (18), brakes (hydraulic) (12).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Sienna get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Toyota Sienna repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.