What 152 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota Sienna

I, as well as other owners of 2017–2018 Toyota Highlanders and 2017–2018 Siennas are experiencing serious transmission issues—including high-pitched whining, erratic shifting, clunks, hesitation, and premature failure. My 2017 Toyota Sienna has the UA80 8-speed automatic transmission at issue and started whining upon acceleration in March/April 2026 timeframe. It has always had the clunking and hesitation problem. According to Gears Magazine, the issue stems from a flawed assembly process involving the counter drive gear support. A locking tab meant to secure a vital retaining nut was not bent properly during factory assembly. This leads to gear movement, internal wear, whining, and eventually failure. Unknown to me, in 2019, Toyota had acknowledged the problem in Technical Service Bulletins T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21, which only go to dealers, and implemented a limited Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC)—but only offered coverage to a narrow group of VINs, not to all VINs for model years that have these transmissions. My car is experiencing these same symptoms. My Toyota Dealer confirmed this problem and recommended a transmission replacement for $11,000 including labor. They said my VIN was not included in the Customer Support Program. Driving with a failing transmission is highly dangerous. A bad transmission can cause sudden power loss causing the car to halt to a sudden stop, unintended acceleration, or my car might get stuck in neutral while driving. I could lose control or be unable to get to the shoulder on the highway, cause a rear-end collision, or get stuck in busy traffic. DESIRED OUTCOME REQUEST: My VIN should be covered under the Customer Support Program in the category of cars that are “less than 10 years old regardless of mileage” or a full recall of all VINs of these model years with these transmissions should be executed. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11749682

power sliding door (behind front passenger) does not fully engage arresting hook and tends to immediately return to open position and after hitting the button again starts welling. It started about eight months ago. Now it isn’t connected at all, I just open or close it and it slides but don’t try to open it first if it’s locked or the alarm blares. I may have pulled or pushed it too many times trying to open or close it so I could drive the car. Looks like others have had the same issue with their driver side passenger door too.

NHTSA ODI 11748961

I have a 2017 Toyota Sienna XLE with about 120k miles on it. Out of nowhere the transmission was gear hunting and surging. It eventually became impossible to get it above 30 mph. It seemed like the transmission just went haywire. No lights on the dash let me know anything was wrong. Thankfully I had just pulled off the highway. Otherwise it could've been bad. I couldn't drive it safely so I had it towed to the nearest Toyota dealership. They said that the transmission needed to be replaced. $9k....

NHTSA ODI 11746069

While driving at speed, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of engine power and stalled in traffic. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who found a failed factory-installed Denso fuel pump module. This failure mirrors Toyota Safety Recall 20TA02 (NHTSA Campaign 20V012) for the exact same model year 2017 Toyota Sienna, but my specific VIN is currently excluded from the recall list. The un-recalled defective component created an immediate highway safety hazard as me and my family were left stranded in the middle of the road. We waited for hours at the risk of oncoming traffic until we were able to have a tow truck lift the van and take to the nearest repair facility (an independent service center - Goodyear Auto Service). The repair facility diagnosed the problem and confirmed that the fuel pump failed to generate enough pressure causing the vehicle to stall and not start again. To correct the problem, the fuel pump was replaced with an OEM toyota fuel pump module assembly.

NHTSA ODI 11745697

We experienced a high whine for a couple of months. No codes were being read by any mechanics. Then the transmission started slipping between 2nd and 3rd gears, and then we couldn’t reverse. Now it’s not switching gears at all. There is a recall for our year and type of transmission, for this issue, but our vin number is not included in that recall.

NHTSA ODI 11742281

I have a 2017 Sienna AWD with a UA80 Transmission and the Check AWD System light appeared. I was able to drive it to Towne Toyota in Ledgewood, NJ and they detected the Sienna having DTC Codes P07407E, P27137F and P27567F. They they recommended a transmission replacement costing $9260.84 before tax that I can't afford right now. I am still able to drive the Sienna but Towne Toyota said that the Transmission will eventually fail. After some research, I discovered there is "ZJC UA80 Warranty_Enhancement" by Toyota. I am troubled that the service folks in Towne Toyota did not make me aware of this program! I am afraid to drive the vehicle knowing that the Check Engine Light may reappear. Or worse, the transmission can completely fail unexpectedly that may prevent me or other vehicles from avoiding a collision. It could also strand me on a busy highway and can possibly put my family at risk.

NHTSA ODI 11739882

The transmission went out. It wouldn't shift going 45-55 mph. We stopped at a light and put it into Park, then put it into drive but it wouldn't go. We were stuck at a light in traffic 10:30pm. We had to call 911 to get a cop to sit behind us so we wouldn't get hit. My wife, my 3 kids, and I were in the minivan. While waiting for the tow truck I saw on reddit that many 2017/2018 Toyota Sienna's had transmission problems. The vehicle is at Milton Martin toyota in Gainesville, GA. Toyota says it isn't covered by Bulletin ZJC. Toyota said the transmission is the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11739526

Transmission is making a winning sound. Toyota had issued a Customer Support Program (Program ZJC/POL19-04) for some of that year but it seems to affect more than what they have allowed

NHTSA ODI 11738660

I am writing to report a safety defect regarding the 8-speed automatic transmission in my 2017 Toyota Sienna. The vehicle exhibits severe hesitation during acceleration, harsh shifting, and a high-pitched whining noise, specifically consistent with the 'whine of death' described in Toyota's Customer Support Program ZJC and related Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0160-18.Despite these identical symptoms, my vehicle’s VIN is not included in the coverage list. This hesitation during acceleration creates a serious safety issue, as the car fails to accelerate unexpectedly when attempting to merge or cross traffic. My vehicle is equipped with the UA80F/E transmission, which is documented to have a faulty assembly (improperly bent washer tab). I request that NHTSA investigate the exclusion of my VIN from this program, as the defect poses a significant risk to passenger safety and the safety of others on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11737861

Loss of power highway speeds, jerky shifting, “sealed” transmission leaking fluid. Check engine light and service required light. I have noticed poor performance with this vehicle before and reported it to the dealer to no avail. Toyota has enacted “customer support program ZJC” but the dealership will not honor.

NHTSA ODI 11731925

My transmission has started with a whining noise, Toyota knows about this issue with thousands of cases regarding the faulty transmission, yet only a few are being covered under a customer support bulletin ZJC. We need to hold Toyota responsible for this issue. We were just told today they won't help us at all. Yet now we are left with a van that we can't use and if we decide to fix it for 10k they are saying the transmission is backordered for months We had to pay Toyota $180 to diagnosis what we already knew was wrong with the vehicle so they would even consider if they would cover it.

NHTSA ODI 11731611

Whining noise upon acceleration

NHTSA ODI 11720774

In July of 2025 my 2017 Sienna started making a whine noise. Took it to mechanic and he stated it was likely coming from transmission but recommended we take it to Toyota dealership to confirm. So we took it to Toyota and sure enough they said the transmission was failing. They said it was due to high mileage but it only had just over 150,000 at time of incident. After doing some research on line and talking with other Sienna owners I believe our Sienna should fall under the UA-80 recall.

NHTSA ODI 11719297

The transmission started making a whining sound. There is a Toyota customer support bulletin pol19-04 that mentions this issue however the dealer says this car is not covered

NHTSA ODI 11718664

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, reversing, and then while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was currently being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: TSB-0160-18 (Transaxle Whine Noise, Harsh Shift, MIL ON, or Reduced Power); however, the VIN was not included in the bulletin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11712079

My 2017 Sienna has whine noise coming from transmission, the vehicle was inspected by Toyota dealership and confirmed that the noise is coming from Transmission. Toyota has already issued a recall for the 2017 Sienna with Transmission UA80 under program ZJC. My vehicle has the same issue, however, it is not being covered as it is UA80E. This issue seems common among all the 2017 model irrespective of transmission number. However, Toyota is not providing support to all customer and have limited to a only one transmission number.

NHTSA ODI 11708831

The drivers side sliding door when on the power on, it will either not catch when opening or not shut when you are trying to shut it. You can be in the door way and it will shut on you by itself. You have to physically stop it or pull it shut. I have taken it in the past to the local Toyota dealership, when it was under warranty, multiple times. They don't see anything wrong, or cannot explain it but have replaced the sensor multiple times. It will be ok for a while and then start again. I sometimes wonder if cold weather affects it but there is no rhythm or reason to it. I am scared to have children or my parents use this door and if I turn off the power to it, it is very hard to use the door because it is so heavy. There are no warning lights, messages, or signals of any kind.

NHTSA ODI 11706963

Subject: Safety Defect Complaint – 2017 Toyota Sienna (VIN: [XXX] ) Dear NHTSA Safety Division, I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2017 Toyota Sienna, VIN [XXX] . In June 2023, while traveling on I-81 South in Virginia with my family of seven, the van stalled suddenly and emitted white smoke from under the hood, then the engine completely failed. The vehicle had only 111,000 miles. The repair would have cost $15,000, and I had to sell the van in 2024 for $4,000, suffering significant financial loss. Toyota informed me no recall applies to my VIN, although many 2017 Siennas experienced fuel pump failures causing stalling. As a person with disability and serious health issues, this incident caused extreme stress, hardship, and risk to my family. I request that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect to determine whether other 2017 Siennas are affected. Sincerely, Your Name Phone Number Address INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11700382

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH and releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound that progressively became louder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000

NHTSA ODI 11698003

I am writing to report a significant safety issue with my vehicle involving a leaking sunroof that is causing damage to both the seatbelts and airbags. I believe this issue poses a serious safety concern and could lead to malfunctioning safety systems during an accident. I asked my local Toyota dealership for guidance adn they told me to clean the drain tubes out with weed eater wire. We tried that and the drains were working fine. If that did not work, it would be 3-5 thousand dollars to fix it. I have reported this issue to Toyota cooperate, but they are not willing to acknowledge the issue because of the year and miles on my van. There are several other Toyota Sienna van owner that have experienced the same problem and yet a recall has not been issued. This is my family vehicle that I drive my young kids around in. I feel that Toyota is willing to put my family's safety on the line by not acknowledging this on going issue. Issue: The sunroof in my vehicle has developed a leak over the past year that continues to get worse. The leak is allowing water to enter the cabin during rain. The water appears to be collecting around the area where the sunroof is installed and is dripping onto the headliner, seatbelts, and side airbags. It soaks my driver and passenger seatbelts for days. Damage: Over time, this leak has caused visible deterioration to the seatbelts, as they are getting wet and showing signs of wear. Additionally, the airbags may be at risk, as moisture could affect their proper deployment during an accident. I am concerned that the presence of moisture may result in these safety features malfunctioning when needed most. This could potentially be a fatal issue.

NHTSA ODI 11697428

While driving our vehicle on the highway, the check engine light suddenly came on and traction control turned off. Within moments, the vehicle began to stall and would not accelerate. My wife and children were in the car and we were nearly hit by another vehicle as she struggled to get the car to safety. It was a terrifying experience that put my entire family in danger, along with everyone else on the highway. Upon taking the car to the dealership, we were told the transmission failed and would need to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11694813

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated before shifting hard into gear. The contact stated that after the failure, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to provide a specific diagnosis for the cause of the failure; however, the contact was informed that there were known issues with the transmission of similar vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the Customer Support Program Bulletin: ZJC. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11693385

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that occasionally while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power before jolting forward. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11691232

My 2017 Toyota sienna has a whine noise coming from the transmission. Brought it to the dealer I have done everything at for this van and they say it’s the transmission and it will cost more than it’s worth. There’s a CSP-zjc but my vin isn’t on there. It’s presenting the same exact problem as the CSP. Unbelievably, Toyota CARES isn’t doing a “good will” service fix. Very disappointed in their customer service

NHTSA ODI 11686730

My transmission (UA80e) has started to steady whining noise when driving and has some choppiness when changing gears. The local Toyota dealership is recommending full replacement, the dealership said it is out of warranty. Toyota headquarters released a Customer Support Bulletin ZJC in 2019 covering this issue for the next 10 years, but they are saying they will not cover it under this bulletin even though my model year, transmission and symptoms all match the described issue.

NHTSA ODI 11677938