The 2004 Toyota Sienna is possibly the very best minivan released in 2004, or at least tied with the Honda Odyssey. Reliable, roomy, and fun to drive, it’s basically a living room with a V6 engine attached, and more fuel-efficient than you might guess.
Is the 2004 Toyota Sienna a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – If it’s not the very best minivan released in 2004, it’s at least tied with the Honda Odyssey.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Zero complaints on this front. Comfy, smooth, and spacious.
- Reliability 7/10 – The engine and powertrain are built to go the distance, maintenance costs are relatively low, but a recurring issue with the side doors getting stuck in the open position is worrying.
- Safety 7/10 – Safety features may be dated by modern standards, but crash test ratings are excellent and it feels like a tank.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – At 19/27 miles ot the gallon, city/highway, it’s a lot more fuel-efficient than you expect of a 2004 minivan.
- Value 8/10 – A bit pricey up front, but maintenance and refueling costs are nice and low.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Toyota Sienna?
Consumer Reports liked the 2004 Sienna’s refined, fuel-efficient powertrain and the roomy interior with its folding third-row seat. They had no major complaints about the minivan, naming it the best in class for 2004.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Sienna a 90% recommendation, with one driver calling it the “van that lasts forever.” Drivers love the spacious interior, reliable powertrain, smooth ride, and versatility of the vehicle. The most worrying negative review comes from a driver who experienced transmission failure at just 111,000 miles.
Edmunds liked the Sienna’s reliable “Camry genes,” refined V6, flat-folding third-row and all-wheel drive option. They found the gear shifter placement awkward and note that the Odyssey has a more car-like feel if you’re looking for a nimble daily-driver.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Toyota Sienna Have?
The 2004 Sienna has 2,049 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A whopping 960 of these are for structure, and another 308 are for latches and locks, with the main issue here being malfunctioning door latches seeing doors refusing to close.
Beyond the numerous door latch reports, complaints for the Sienna are within reason for a 2004 minivan. The second biggest issue is with electrical hiccups in the steering and braking systems, reporting far fewer complaints than you’ll find in the door latches.
Powertrain complaints number fewer than 100 in total, but listen for odd noises when slowing down from highway speeds. This could be an early sign of transmission failure.
The 2004 Sienna has 10 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is roughly average for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2004 Toyota Sienna Last?
The 2004 Sienna should last at least 200,000 miles with decent care. Drivers have reported twice that and higher, but realistically you should expect to get around 250,000 miles out of a used Sienna before it’s time to give it up.
RepairPal estimate a typical annual maintenance cost of $554 with the most expensive common fix being a new engine front cover gasket starting at around $1,174.
It is very reliable. It has protected me in many situations and I know that it will always keep me safe. No major issues besides old age
I believe it is, I have not seen or heard any problems with it. Everything I ever heard from anyone is that they enjoy the vehicle, is has cold air and is very reliable.
I can count on the Toyota Sienna to perform under pressure and it a lot of power on the road. I can't think of a problem it has other than the leather beginning to crack on the seat covers for the use of and the heat of the day in Louisiana that also cracks the dash.
We've had issues with the automatic sliding doors. But the great thing is you can turn off that feature and just open & close manually. Otherwise just basic maintenance & wear and tear.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good for a 2004 minivan. You’ve got a CD player with six speakers in the entry level model, while the high-end XLE LTD comes with a 6-disc CD changer and ten speakers.
Safety features are about as good as it gets for 2004. Standard features include full anti-lock brakes and multi-stage airbags, while the higher trim levels feature TRAC traction control.
Is the 2004 Toyota Sienna a Good Value?
The 2004 Toyota Sienna is a very good value. The sticker price may look a bit high, with an entry level CE typically listing for $5,421 and the XLE at $6,149. But the value you’re getting for that price is excellent, and the cost of ownership is fairly low, with maintenance and refueling expenses being below average for a vehicle of this size.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Toyota Sienna?
The 2004 Sienna is offered in four trim levels, from the base CE to the high-end XLE Limited.
The entry-level CE features:
- 6 way manual adjust driver seat
- Remote keyless entry
- CD player with six speakers
- Power windows and door locks
- Separate front and rear manual air conditioning
- Cloth seating
With a mid-range LE you’re adding:
- Heated mirrors
- Premium cloth seating
- Driver lumbar support
- Optional TRAC traction control
The high-end XLE adds:
- Fog lights
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Power rear windows
- 8-way power adjust driver seat
- JBL sound system with 10 speakers
At the top of the line, the XLE Limited includes:
- TRAC traction control
- Leather seating
- Heated front seats
- 6-disc CD changer
What Engines Come In the 2004 Toyota Sienna?
- The Sienna comes packed with a 3.3L V6 cranking out 230 horsepower and 242 lb.-ft. of torque. This is configured in front/all wheel drive, paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission, and averages 19/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
What Colors Does the 2004 Toyota Sienna Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Toyota Sienna?
The Sienna is very comfortable. The back row stretches 67.5 inches across, which is bigger than most full-size SUVs. The suspension has held up very well over the years, the ride is smooth, and there’s plenty of room even if you’re packing 8 adults to the cabin.
There are very few suspension complaints on file with the NHTSA, but, as always, you’ll want to test-drive before you buy, and you should take a look at the undercarriage for excessive rust.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Toyota Sienna Have?
The Sienna has 43.6 cubic feet of storage space in the very back, with 148.9 when you fold the seats down. You don’t even need the tape measure. Stretch your arms out as far as they’ll go. If it’s smaller than that, it’ll probably fit.
Your only concern will be payload capacity, which taps out at 1,569 pounds. Just about anything you want to carry, it’ll fit. But, it might wreak havoc on the suspension if you’re moving exercise equipment and big boxes of books and tools.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2004 Sienna was the first model year for the car’s 2nd Generation, which ran until 2009.
2002: 2002 was largely a placeholder year for the Sienna, with a new audio package being the only big addition.
2003: Another no-big-changes year for the Sienna, although the CE models got new right-hand power-sliding doors.
2004: The Sienna got a total redesign for the 2004 model year with larger dimensions and a roomier interior transforming the minivan into the roomy trooper we know and love today.
2005: Toyota were happy with the 2004 redesign, so no big changes were made for 2005.
2006: The Sienna got some modernized restylings for 2006 with a new front fascia, some sleeker side moldings, sharper headlights and tail-lights, and blue-backlit gauges in most trims.
2007: 2007 saw the addition of a ULEV-II certified 3.5L V6 engine to the lineup.
How Does the 2004 Toyota Sienna Compare to the Competition?
2004 was the era of the SUV, but there were still some great minivans on the road. To spoil the ending: The Sienna stands as the best of the bunch. But, if you’re looking for a lower sticker price, the Chrysler Town & Country typically lists at anywhere from one to two thousand dollars cheaper.
The closest runner up is the Honda Odyssey, with ample hip room and comparable specs. The Sienna only outclasses the Odyssey on overall interior quality, with better seating options and audio features, while the Odyssey usually sells for a bit less than the Sienna. But, you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Almost any issue you might take with the Sienna has more to do with the vehicle class than the minivan itself. If you’re looking for better fuel economy, a compact SUV might be a better purchase. If you’ve got your heart set on a minivan, try out the Sienna and the Odyssey and see which one you like best.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Toyota Sienna?
I love my car. I feel not only safe and secure but it has so many benefits like the space and the fact that it can seat eight people
Yes absolutely love it, its dependable, luxurious, relaxing, I couldn't see myself driving any other vehicle
The Toyota Sienna is a very special vehicle. It has many features which included a moonroof, automatic doors, front seats that warm for cold days and auto controls on the steering column that control the radio and CD player. It runs smoothly and is very dependable.
Yes, it's a great vehicle. There is plenty of space for passengers, groceries, etc. It's also comfortable to ride in. And most importantly, it has great safety ratings.
