Toyota Sienna slipping problems

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Transmission · AZ

Since 2018–2019, our 2018 Toyota Sienna has had recurring drivability and suspected transmission problems, including stalling, failure to engage or accelerate when the accelerator is pressed, rough idle, hesitation, and harsh shifting. We reported these concerns to Toyota and filed an the federal safety agency complaint during our first year of ownership. The problems have continued intermittently for years and now include transmission whining, slipping, delayed gear engagement, irregular shifting, and reduced power. Unexpected stalling or failure to accelerate creates a safety risk when entering traffic, crossing intersections, or avoiding hazards. On October 19, 2026, AAA inspected the vehicle following a four-wheel-drive malfunction warning. Its October 20 invoice documents UA80F eight-speed transmission-related fault codes P0740-7E, P2713-7F, and P2756-7F and notes possible sticking valve-body solenoids. Toyota's own Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0160-18 (issued December 17, 2018; revised May 11, 2021), titled "Transaxle Whine Noise, Harsh Shift, MIL ON, or Reduced Power," applies to certain 2017–2018 Siennas and lists these exact three codes (formatted P07407E, P27137F, P27567F). Toyota's Customer Support Program ZJC, Policy Bulletin POL19-04 (2019), also acknowledges transmission whine, harsh shifting, reduced power, and warning lights in certain UA80-equipped vehicles and describes a possible assembly defect involving a washer tab and loosening internal nut. An authorized Toyota dealer evaluated the vehicle October 24–30, 2026, after receiving AAA's findings but reported it could not reproduce a warning light and that the VIN/transmission serial number were outside program limits. No transmission repair was performed. The vehicle remains unrepaired. Please investigate whether this longstanding safety-related failure affects vehicles beyond Toyota's stated production cutoff.

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Transmission · NC

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.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH with her four children in the rear seats, the vehicle started jerking and decelerated independently. Additionally, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving; however, the transmission continuously slipped out of gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with Toyota UA80 Transmission program. The dealer contacted the manufacturer who agreed to cover the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

About a year ago the Vehicle Stability Control warning light along with an audible alarm started coming on intermittently while turning on highways going uphill or downhill in dry weather and with no risk of any tire slipping. At first this only happened at higher speeds 65+mph. Over time, it has occurred more and more frequently and can occur at speeds down to 25 mph. At times, the Anti-lock Braking System is also activated resulting in jerky braking and loss of throttle. When people have been following me too closely, this has almost caused accidents. When these symptoms occur, it is always on a curve (of any degree, even slight curves) and while driving at least 25 mph, and even happens on flat turns now. The weather has always been dry with no risk of tire slippage.

Filed Jan 14, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · 190,000 miles · WV

About a year ago the slip indicator light (car with swervy lines) started coming on intermittently and without warning while turning on highways or roads in dry conditions without any risk of tires slipping. The ABS activates without warning and the vehicle slows down on its own. The situation is very dangerous. No known fix from toyota.

Filed Sep 15, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 150,000 miles · OR

I've only had the van for 5 months and this problem has occurred over a dozen times, beginning with the day I bought it. And every time this problem has occurred I've been driving on dry roads. It usually happens when driving around a corner, anywhere from 35-65 MPH, far. All of a sudden the traction control light starts beeping, the brakes engage on their own, and then engine makes a loud noise (likely downshifting itself). It's as though the vehicle thinks it is slipping, even though it is not, I drive very cautiously so it's not me flying around a corner super fast, it also happens when my partner drives the van as well. I finally took the van to a mechanic and they told me it was the steering angle sensor that was faulty and needed to be replaced, so I spent $900 to have it replaced. I've had the van back for less then 2 weeks and just tried to take it on a road trip, got about an hour from our house and it did it again 3 times in less then 15 minutes, again driving on dry pavement and when driving on a windy highway. It's terrifying when this happens especially because it always happens when we're going around a corner, it's very dangerous and scary. It seems to be happening with a lot of other sienna's, even newer ones. This is an expensive problem that desperately needs to be addressed, someone is going to wreck and die from this if they haven't already.

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 200,000 miles · MO

The slip indicator light (car with swerve lines) started coming on intermittently while turning on highways etc. (but not when any risk of tire slipping). Then vsc light also came on and alarm sometimes sounded. Visit to our own mechanic, no problems found. In the last 2 years the ABS system has activated (daily) it unexpectedly applies the brakes while in motion. It is on specific types of curve and while driving at least 30mph, but has done at 35, 55, 70 MPH, on slight or medium turns (not real sharp turns), going uphill or downhill and left or right. Took my mechanic for a ride with the diagnostic computer hooked up, it did the ABS braking, warning light, and beeping 5 times but computer showed no codes. Suggested resetting yaw which we did, it did not help. Suggested calling toyota, they were no help, said they had never heard of that problem and my mechanic probably did not know how to read the computer. When ABS activates it's very dangerous - thinking about deactivating entire vsc system. I believe the rack and pinion may play a role, there are rattle and bump sounds, perhaps a loose suspension is the culprit, that is our next option. I have already replaced struts, front wheel bearings, all new tires, had it aligned, did new brake pads, and rotors. Absolutely fed up with this problem!

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 110,000 miles · OR

About a five years ago the slip indicator light (car with swervy lines) started coming on intermittently while turning on highways etc. (but not when any risk of tires slipping). I brought it to toyota three different times over the years and toyota always states they can not duplicate issue and states they can?t fix it but maybe drive slower (really it has nothing to with my speed after years of dealing with this its been something we just deal with). The vsc light also comes on and alarm sometimes sounds while driving. Two more trips to toyota and several visits to different mechanics and nobody can find out the problem. In the last 6 months the ABS system is also being activated without me applying the brakes. It does it without warning. All of these issues can be on a curve at different speeds or on a slight or medium turns (not real sharp turns), going uphill or downhill and left or right. Our van has about 150,000 miles on it now on 2020 but when the problem first started it only had around 110,000 miles on it. We have changed brakes, tires, rotors, brushing on advice from different mechanics to try to fix the issue. Nothing works. Toyota cannot figure it out. It's becoming more dangerous because now the ABS is being activated with this problem. I can't tell if my brake lights come on so that drivers behind me can tell that I?m slowing down very quickly. This jerks those in the car and I?m afraid we may lose control. I have read on different web sites that this is common with a toyota and it's just not my van. If I had the money I would buy a different vehicle but being on a fixed income I don't have the luxury to do so. How can a car company have so many complaints from consumers about this common problem but still can't tell us how to fix it? It's toyotas design they should be able to tell the consumer what is causing this issue and how to fix it.

Filed Dec 5, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 110,000 miles · VA

While driving the vehicle at higher speeds (greater than 40 MPH) around curves, the skid indicator sensor will occasionally trigger even on dry pavement where no slipping is happening. The car will automatically decelerate and brake momentarily. There is often a clicking sound in the steering column as well. The vsc warning light occasionally comes on too. Mechanics on multiple occasions have not been able to figure out what is causing the problem. However, based on research at toyota blogs, it appears that other toyota sienna drivers have experienced this same issue.

Filed Mar 2, 2018 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · MI

I was driving the vehicle down the interstate and it started to slow down. The engine was still running. However, the transmission was slipping and I could not maintain the posted speed limit. The only way to keep the vehicle moving was to rev the engine up to between 5,000 and 6,000 RPM. Fortunately, I was able to get to an exit and get the vehicle to a parking lot. At that point, the vehicle would not move under it's own power. The engine would run, but there was no power to the drive wheels. This concerns me as I was lucky to get the vehicle off the interstate and off the road without incident. Otherwise, given the traffic and posted speed limit, I was concerned that someone would run into me.