Home / Toyota News, Pricing and Reviews
Shopping for a used Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey
John Goreham's picture
By John Goreham Mar 23 2020 - 1:46pm

Used Honda Odyssey vs. Used Toyota Sienna - Which Is More Reliable In These Model Years?

The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans make great used vehicles. However, some years are troublesome according to owner reports. Here's which are the nest years and which to avoid.
Advertisement

The Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are legendary family vehicles that are much sought-after in the used car market. Both of these two great minivans have a lot of upsides. Many families put a very heavy emphasis on reliability, durability, and quality when they consider a used vehicle purchase. Both Toyota and Honda have good reputations for reliability. However, we found some differences between these two vehicles when we did some research that shoppers may want to know about.

Related: Used Honda Accord vs. Used Toyota Camry - Which Is More Reliable In These Model Years?

Used Vehicle Owner Reports
We looked at two sources of owner-reported reliability data to analyze used Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans. The first source of data is Consumer Reports. This consumer-advocacy group does not pull any punches when it compiles the data its member-owners report. We didn't include any editorial comments from the Consumer Reports staff in our analysis - only data from owners of the vehicles.

The second source of data is CarComplaints.com. This is a site that compiles owner-reported problems and then sorts it out by year, make, and model. This site is a good place to look for bigger, more commonly-reported issues. The editors at CarComplaints do pass judgment based on the owner-reports. They sometimes issue stamps of approval or disapproval based on the volume of vehicles sold and the number of trouble reports. We will include a note about those stamps where they are made.

Three Years To consider For the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey - 2017, 2015, 2010
We looked at three specific model years of used Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans. The 2017 model year is handy because it is for three-year young vans that are still covered under the manufacturer's drivetrain warranty in many cases. These three-year-used vehicles also have passed through the steepest part of the depreciation curve, making them attractive used-van buys. 2015 vans now have five years and about 60K-90K miles on the odometer and ar in the prime of life. The 2010 model year Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey vans are ten years old now and they average as much as 150K on the odometer. These are low-priced family vans that may need some work. Let's see what owners say about these vans.

2010 Toyota Sienna CarComplaints Seal of Awesome

Used Toyota Sienna Reliability Analysis
The Toyota Sienna earns great reliability scores at CarComplaints. The 2017 and 2015 model year vehicles have almost no owner-reported complaints and there is no trending issues. For 2010, the Toyota Sienna earns the 'Seal of Awesome: from CarComplaints. At Consumer Reports, the Sienna earns a 3/5 reliability verdict for 2017, and 4/5 for both 2015 and 2010. One of the main complaints about the 2017 Sienna owners reported was difficult to use in-car electronics. Overall, the Sienna has a good track record of reliability.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm

Used Honda Odyssey Analysis
The Honda Odyssey gets mixed reviews at CarComplaints and the model year is important. For 2017, there are no issues to note. For 2010, the Honda Odyssey joins the Sienna in earning CarComplaints, "Seal of Awesome" stamp. However, the 2015 Odyssey is tagged with the "Beware of the Clunker" stamp due to transmission trouble reports.

One owner wrote, "Back in August of 2015 I had my car in the shop for a litany of issues. One of which was a jolting feeling - like the gears were catching when I began to accelerate. The dealership came back and said that everything was working 'as normal.' My van still jolts during acceleration." At Consumer Reports, the Odyssey earns a 2/5 reliability verdict in 2017, a 4/5 in 2015, and a 3/5 in 2010.

Used Honda Odyssey vs/ Used Toyota Sienna Reliability Verdict
Both the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna minivans make good used family car purchases. If you are buying a 2015 you may want to avoid the Odyssey based on the owner reports we read. Other than that, there are many good years of both models from which to choose. If you have one of these two vehicles please tell us in the comments below how well they have treated you.

John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John's focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of a team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of battery thermal control designer. For 20 years he applied his engineering and sales talents in the high tech world and published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin.

Automotive News
News Opinion
Toyota News, Pricing and Reviews

Subscribe to Torque News on YouTube.
Follow Torque News on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Comments

Dan Koop Liechty wrote on January 5, 2021 - 10:15pm
We've owned three Siennas and one Odyssey. We had a 99 Sienna and 2002 Oddysey. We liked both vans, but preferred the driving feel of the Sienna, as it drives much more like a car. We now own a 2003 Sienna with 267K miles. We'll get rid of it if ever dies, but it just keeps going. We also have a 2011 Sienna, which is our "new" car. It's a gem, with ton of really thoughtful features and amazing dependability. We don't love the bigger size, but it's still a joy to take on a road trip with our family of five. We will likely only buy Toyotas from here on out, as we buy used cars and they just keep going.
Mona Kidder wrote on January 21, 2021 - 8:50pm
I purchased my first 2004 XLE Sienna in May of 2006. I have loved the car since the day I bought it and did my homework beforehand - comparing every aspect of the car to the Honda Odyssey. Better car and value for the dollar! It now has over 267,000 miles and still going strong. One small rust issue over the driver's side rear wheel which I had fixed. Other than that, body is in perfect condition. I gave it to my granddaughter a year ago and I bought another Sienna (2019 XLE) in October of 2019 b/c I work full time and wanted something newer to travel into the city. Love the ride, the space and the dependability. Great to travel in and I couldn't be happier!
Debra Hearington wrote on February 5, 2021 - 8:38pm
I previously owned 2, 2004 Siennas & loved them. When the 2nd one needed repairs, & was high mileage, I found a 2014 Odyssey in dec 2016. I was so excited to own one but within 6 months I had to replace the spark plugs because the "check engine" light stayed on. Not long after that, I had to replace plugs again. It continued to have trouble & ultimately it was determined that the problem was "oil consumption." They fixed that about 1.5 years ago. I have it in the shop again right now because of a burning smell. The driver side door lock broke about 2 years ago. There have been other problems. I am hoping to go back to a Sienna!
Jon wrote on February 8, 2021 - 12:15am
I own A 2007 Odyssey and love it 117000 miles and goes like its brand new. I did need to replace the alternator about 3000 miles ago.
Graham Simcock wrote on March 18, 2021 - 6:52pm
2006 honda odyssey 254223 miles normal maintenance performed 100000 of that was a hard life on ohio roads son used carrying work tools but a lass the front end starting to sound it's age. I would buy another
Bryan Lively wrote on April 19, 2021 - 10:15pm
We own two Sienna vans, mine is a 2006 with 310,000 miles on it and my wife has a 2012 with 196,000 on it. The 2006 is bomb proof. Oil, filters, tires, brakes, acceptable wear items...thats all I have done to it. It shows some wear because I am a little tough on stuff but maintenance is paramount to me. It is probably the lowest annual cost vehicle I have ever been around, bar none. I put anywhere from 25 to 40 thousand miles on a vehicle in a year, and I would drive this one cross country without a seconds notice. The 2012 is an excellent vehicle, has had a few more maintenance issues, most recently a hvac fan that was a simple and low-cost repair. I just wish Toyota would get into the 3/4 ton truck market I would order one right away.
Tommy martin wrote on May 21, 2021 - 11:02am
I own a 2007 Sienna LEX with just over 300,000 miles on it. It has been awesome. When I purchased the car it had 90k showing, one owner whom I contacted and got a glowing maintenance report from him. It has lived up to his report and to my desire. Recently it has developed a small transmission problem. It sometimes searches for 3rd gear and jolts upon finding it. According to the dealer, it should have another 10 to 20k left before the trans gives up the ghost. By that time I will have gotten another Sienna. 2nd best car I have ever owned and I'm not sure what is in 1st place.
Lisa Brobley wrote on June 2, 2021 - 12:12am
In 2009 I bought a 2010 Sienna LE and loved everything about it. In October 2020 it had 88,000 miles on it & still ran perfectly when another car hit me & the insurance company totaled it. I cried. Fortunately, my sister was looking to get rid of her 2005 Sienna that still ran great, despite its 230,000 miles, so I didn’t have to settle for what I could afford at the time. Looking at purchasing another Sienna (2015-2017) very soon, while keeping the 2005 until it dies. My MIL has a 2015 Odyssey but I think the Sienna runs smoother and has a bigger trunk space behind the 3rd row.
Lark Saurman wrote on June 3, 2021 - 12:47am
We have a 2010 Honda Odyssey EXL w/RES (video player). We have 154,000 miles on it and love it! The only thing we have had to fix on it repeatedly is the clips that hold up the fender liner underneath the front of the car. We just replaced the fender liner itself as it has fallen down one too many times from hitting low curbs or running over things in the road. Best car ever! We love it!
T Premer wrote on June 3, 2021 - 10:26pm
I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L approaching 300k miles. I absolutely love it. Have traveled all over the country and made some of our best family memories with this vehicle. Rebuilt the transmission with heavy duty parts and extra "cooler" -not sure what its called, at 210k. (Pretty sure Skyline Drive at Shenandoah National Park had something to do with that. thus the extra cooler) Spark plugs every 100k has worked perfectly for me. Ceramic brakes on front have over 80k and still at 40%. (Thanks again, Shenandoah) Will never use anything but ceramic from now on with any vehicle I plan to own for awhile. Burning a lot of oil now, about 6qts between oil changes. I am grieving as if its time to put the family dog down. Thought I would take a peak online at Odyssey vs Sienna and found this site. Thanks for posting.
Bennie Smith wrote on June 12, 2021 - 12:22pm
Have a 2016 Odyssey have not had a bit trouble out of it has 46,000 miles on it. Did have a 1994 Camry bought brand new had trouble with it from the first week started with trunk leaking rubber seal leaking replace seal with new one made for a Lexus after trying a number of times with other Camry seals. Also with arould 9,000 miles on it a fuse went out of it on a very hot day on a 300 mile trip could not get windows down and moon roof would not open with no air. Got rid of it 36,000 miles with transmission going out. Dad had a 2003 Camry when it locked up while driving altough he was not going very fast no brakes could not get it stoped till lamp post stoped him. He Toyota know they told him to turn it in on his insurance but did send $1.36 when settled things on a law suit. My 3 brother's or I and my Dad has never owned another Toyota nor ever will will!!!
Kim Beal wrote on July 4, 2021 - 6:57pm
Used Honda Odyssey maybe 2008.2009.2010
John Lucier wrote on November 5, 2021 - 7:10pm
2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L owned 4 years and 50k miles now has almost 160k miles. A week after I bought it the drivers rear door wheels broke. A week later the starter went out it was at least the 2nd one. And on we go. Alternator. Brakes. Front HVAC blower motor. Rear hatch lock actuator. Air cleaner intake hose. Expensive active motor mounts. Weird electrical gremlins disable vehicle, set off alarm, drain battery, make gauges go haywire, repeatedly. Massive oil leaks requiring extensive repairs like VTEC valve and valve cover gaskets. All 4 02 sensors. Suspension makes various clunks and squeeks. CD changer and DVD player inop intermitently. Climate control panel randomly shuts on or off. Pass rear power door sometimes is wonky. Im sure I forgot some things. All that said the van drives great when it does. When I replace it will be looking at Sienna.