The Toyota Sienna was equipped with the A541E transmission in certain models. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Toyota Sienna transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Toyota Sienna Transmission Models
Toyota Sienna: A541E Transmission
Toyota Sienna Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate
Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.
What are the DTC codes related to Toyota Sienna transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0753 | Shift Solenoid 'A' Electrical |
| P0755 | Shift Solenoid 'B' |
| P0770 | Shift Solenoid 'E' |
| P0773 | Shift Solenoid 'E' Electrical |
| P1705 | Nissan DTC: Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
Toyota Sienna Transmission Recalls
None Found
Toyota Sienna Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
None Found
Common Toyota Sienna Transmission Problems
Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light
Can I drive with a transmission problem?
If your Toyota Sienna can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.
How often does a Toyota Sienna transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a Toyota Sienna transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Toyota Sienna transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.
How are Toyota Sienna transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Toyota Sienna transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.
How is a Toyota Sienna transmission replaced?
In order to replace your Toyota Sienna transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed.
Recommendations for Toyota Sienna transmission issues?
To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit truck VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Toyota Sienna transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve Toyota Sienna Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used Toyota Sienna Transmission
The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.
Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Toyota Sienna Transmission
Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.
Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Toyota Sienna Transmission
Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Problem Does Your Toyota Sienna Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
When I drive hard 90+ MPh for an extended time it will throw a code as I said before and if I don’t slow down and let it cool down it has dropped to 3rd gear and won’t up shift.. Dealer tried to scare me Into buying a new car. He also said $7000.00 for a new transmission. Is that a fair price? 2015 Sennia under 100000 miles on vehicle
Through a code traction control off and engine light comes on
code came up the transmission. sometimes can have a jerky start. reverse is fine as well as shifting
I have to replaced the shift and pressure control solenoid I. A 09toyota sienna.
It’s telling me the shift solenoid it’s off.samething with the he pressure control solenoid..it’s a sienna 09.
Wont do anything when put in gear.. But not showing any codes 2011
Slipping when hot drive goo when cold
P0741 ,P2757 and P2714
2003 sienna shifts rapid back and forth going up incline , and Speedo stopped working.
In no gear do I get any force to move
Drives good when cold slipping when hot
Does not shift neutral and reverse light stays lit it’s in neutral
Transmission lost power and some times make jumping while speed up from 0 to up
Got a 2003 Toyota sienna won’t grab revise n drive in all the other gear including neutral
Not shifting probably
When I put the van in reverse, there is a noise and the van does not back up.
suddenly out of blue sienna 1999 change sound as is hole in muffler and transmission start to shift very slow from gear to gear and hauling like turbine ,question what is a problem ?????
Upon picking up 2006 Sienna at Libertyville Il dealer there was a very loud noise when running. I asked the service person to come out and listen as I did not want to take it home with the loud noise. I asked if it was tgh muffler. He looked at the muffler and said it was okay. He told me to take the car and it would be fine. It is months later and it is still not fine. It is just as loud as when I picked it up. It
gets louder when accelerating. We saw fumes from underneath during the winter months. They must have broken something. I even smell fumes when driving. I had a bad experience with another dealer, Waukegan Toyota who replaced a brand new 2003 Sienna engine they said had sludged, with a defective one on a cracked block. This dealer found it and repaired it at no cost.
It turns out that that car model was not in the recall and it was dealer fraud. Now I am worried about this dealer as they clearly caused the noise. It was not like that when I took it in for an oil change and I did not want to take it home. Now I am not sure what to do.
Sienna 2020 9000 miles the first gear makes problems as if its struggling to catch her breath after that its becoming smoother
The car accelerated real high then turned off is that a transmission problem
4th gear doesn’t engage. Wondering what would cause that.
Switch off on road