2019 Toyota Sienna — Known Issues & Recalls

Your transmission has failed and needed to be replaced. You've experienced loud whining noises from the transmission, which is part of a broader problem affecting 2017-2020 models. This type of failure can be dangerous to vehicle occupants. The repair will likely involve transmission replacement or overhaul.

Your transmission unexpectedly lunches forward on its own, which nearly caused an accident. You're also hearing a whining noise coming from the transaxle. Toyota has a customer service program for 2017-2018 models with this same issue, but your 2019 van isn't covered. Fixing this will likely require transmission fluid service, internal transmission inspection, or possibly a transmission replacement or reprogramming.

Your vehicle suddenly lost all ability to move forward during rush-hour traffic on a highway, with no warning signs beforehand. After turning off and restarting the engine, the transmission would not respond to the Drive command, forcing you to use Reverse to reach the shoulder. A mechanic indicated the problem is likely either a faulty shift cable or complete transmission failure at only 71,000 miles. The transmission may need to be repaired or replaced, which could involve inspecting the shift cable connection or a full transmission overhaul.

Your transmission has developed a severe whining noise that started at 138,000 miles. Toyota has indicated your vehicle's VIN doesn't fall within the parameters of recall UA80 and won't repair the issue under that recall program. Addressing this will likely require transmission fluid analysis, filter replacement, or potentially transmission service or replacement depending on the underlying cause.

While driving on the freeway during rush hour, your transmission suddenly lost power even though the engine was still running, forcing you to coast to the shoulder. Warning lights appeared for traction control and check engine. After restarting, the transmission would only shift into lower gears (1 or 2) and moved slowly, though it returned to normal operation by the next morning. The dealer diagnosed this as a coil issue and replaced it under warranty.

Your driver's side power sliding door malfunctions when you use the electric opening function—it detects resistance and immediately starts closing with excessive force, without trying to detect obstacles. You, your family members, and your infant daughter have been trapped or crushed by the door closing forcefully, including your daughter's arm being caught. The Toyota dealer identified that electrical cables inside the door are binding and causing the problem, which you believe is a design or manufacturing defect rather than owner misuse.

Your car makes a whining noise when you accelerate, and a diagnostic test found that your transmission is failing. Toyota has quoted $10,000 for a full transmission replacement. You've learned this is reportedly a widespread issue affecting multiple model years of Toyota Siennas due to a manufacturing defect, though Toyota has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the problem.

Your car is experiencing problems with the catalytic converter, which is the emissions control component that reduces harmful pollutants in your exhaust. This could cause your check engine light to come on, reduced fuel efficiency, or difficulty starting. Getting the catalytic converter inspected and likely replaced would be the next step.

This complaint is not about a vehicle defect or safety issue with the 2019 Toyota Sienna itself. The driver is disputing a decision by Lyft (a rideshare company) to deactivate their account based on an 'unsafe driving' determination. This is a contractual dispute with the rideshare platform and falls outside NHTSA's jurisdiction, which covers vehicle manufacturing defects and safety issues.

Your car's Nuna car seat has a safety issue where the harness adjuster strap loosens during use, even though the seat was made after a recall. The harness strap can move freely while your child is in the seat, which means it may not keep your child properly secured. The manufacturer's response to your report was slow and unhelpful. Fixing this will require replacing the defective car seat with a working unit.

Your van was hit on the driver's side rear door at about 30 mph while parked at a stop sign, which crushed the door and shattered the window. Neither the driver's side airbags nor the side curtain airbags deployed during the impact, leaving your wife and your son in the rear seat without airbag protection and exposed to broken glass. You're wondering if a manufacturing defect similar to a recalled issue with passenger door welds might have affected the driver's side door sensors. A technician will need to inspect the door structure, window seals, and airbag sensor connections to determine why the safety systems didn't activate.

Your vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own when you shifted into reverse with your foot on the brake, even though you weren't pressing the gas pedal. You had to shift through multiple gears and apply hard braking to regain control, but your car still jumped the curb and hit a garbage can before finally stopping. The vehicle performed normally afterward, but the unexplained acceleration episode raises safety concerns.

Your liftgate remote stopped working, and your backup camera went out while reversing. Your airbag warning light came on, and you noticed your side mirrors were cracked. You also detected a burning smell inside the vehicle, and several other safety features became inoperable while driving. The dealer blamed an aftermarket remote start system that was installed on the vehicle. Fixing this will likely require diagnosing the electrical system for damage or faults caused by the aftermarket remote start installation, and possibly replacing or repairing the liftgate actuator, backup camera, mirrors, and checking for any wiring issues causing the burning smell.

Your car hesitates and lurches between gears when you accelerate, making it feel sluggish—especially when the air conditioning is on. This problem started shortly after you bought the car, got worse after the fuel pump recall repair in 2020, and continues to happen more frequently now. The dealership and Toyota customer service haven't been able to resolve it, leaving you concerned about safety when merging in traffic. A fuel system and transmission inspection or repair may be needed to diagnose and fix the hesitation and gear-hunting issue.

Your car's microphone, which is connected to the SOS emergency call button, isn't working properly. You discovered a YouTube fix involving disconnecting your car's battery, which temporarily resolved the issue—but this is an unreliable solution for a 2019 vehicle. If you'd needed emergency assistance, the SOS button might not have connected you to help. Fixing this likely requires diagnosing the microphone or SOS system electrical connection, possibly at a dealership.

Your second row passenger seatbelt is jammed and cannot be repaired—it needs to be replaced with a new seatbelt assembly. This means you cannot safely restrain passengers in that seat, which is particularly concerning if you need it for child safety. The replacement part is currently on back order, leaving that seat unusable until it arrives.

Your tires are separating at the sidewall near the rim, and this has happened to three Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tires on your vehicle. The last tire swelled to about the size of a ping pong ball before failing. When you contacted Pirelli and the retailer, both refused to replace the tires, citing the lack of an official NHTSA recall. The fix would likely involve replacing the affected tires with a different brand or model to prevent future sidewall failures.

Your passenger side headlight's LED daytime running lights have several bulbs that either aren't working or are flickering on and off. Toyota has refused to cover this under warranty despite your vehicle being within the warranty period. You're concerned this creates a safety hazard since other drivers may not see your car during the day.

While driving at 65 mph, you heard a loud bang and discovered your sunroof glass had shattered, with part of it missing. The dealer suggested a foreign object likely struck the sunroof, but the cause wasn't confirmed and the vehicle wasn't repaired. Fixing this will require replacing the entire sunroof glass panel.

About 2 years after you purchased your 2019 Sienna, the paint on the front hood started peeling and cracking. The damage has spread across the entire hood. The hood will likely need to be removed, sanded down, and repainted with a more durable paint that includes a protective clear coat.