Toyota Sienna Owner Says, "It Ain't Pretty, But After 551,809 Miles, It Can Be As Ugly As It Wants"

Owner praises the Toyota minivan, which shows some wear and tear on the outside, but still runs strong after well over 500,000 miles on the “clock”, proving the brand still knows how to make cars that last.

April 2, 2026 - 11:13AM EDT
By: Dimitar Angelov

Few carmakers are associated with quality and dependability like Toyota and its luxury arm, Lexus. Granted, things haven’t always been spotless, and for 2025 Toyota is among the car brands with the biggest number of recalls. This isn’t necessarily all bad, since it shows the company is willing to fix its mistakes - something I wish more car companies would do.

When it comes to Toyota reliability, it is generally accepted that the 1990s to 2000s was the “golden era” of Toyota. But that does mean that quality has gone down? There are plenty of opinions on the matter, and they vary, but one owner recently praised his trusty family companion for standing the test of time.

While exploring the group, Mileage Impossible on Facebook, I stumbled upon what I think is a very inspirational post by a 2012 Toyota Sienna owner.

“It ain't pretty. But after 551,809 miles, this 2012 Toyota Sienna can be as ugly as it wants. And yes, Virginia, it does come with the 3.5-liter V6.”

The Japanese minivan is a true modern-day survivor, as it bears the visual scars of frequent and intensive use. The front bumper has been cracked, suggesting it had an unwanted meeting with a curb. The fog lights are missing, the headlights are slightly fogged up, and there is visual damage on the right front fender. The left side also bears slight damage, from what seems to be a minor “fender-bender”. The more impressive thing here, aside from the high mileage, is that there is no rust.

This being a 2012 model year, it is a third-generation Toyota Sienna. These came with a variety of engines. Most notable among them is the 3.5-liter 2GR V-6. In this case, it is the 2GR-FE engine, which is port-injection-only. The 2017 update included a 2GR-FKS, which featured direct and port injection. In this version the trusty mill makes 266 horsepower and 245 pound-feet. And yes, this is the original engine.

In terms of fuel economy, you are looking at 21 MPG combined (EPA) for the front-wheel-drive model or 19 MPG with the optional all-wheel drive. On the highway, you can expect up to 25 MPG - not bad for a minivan that weighs 4,275 to 4,750 pounds, depending on the spec.

What makes the 2012 Toyota Sienna special?

2012 Toyota Sienna 2GR - over 550,000 miles and still counting

In the case of the V-6 model, it is the 2GR-FE (later 2GR-FKS) engine, which is one of the most bulletproof Toyota powertrains ever made. Although the company phased it out in favor of turbocharged inline-fours, you can still find that trusty normally-aspirated V-6 in the new Lexus IS350, as long as you are in North America. Other markets will reportedly offer different engine options, including a hybrid.

As for the Toyota Sienna, in 2012, it got a more comprehensive array of standard equipment. Previously, optional extras were a bit pricey. Owners and test drivers praised (and still praise) the V-6 for its smooth work and adequate performance. The roomy interior can seat seven or eight occupants, depending on the trim, while the option of all-wheel drive makes the Sienna that much more versatile and safe.

Reliability is also high, mostly due to the stout and proven engines. That said, there were a number of recalls for the 2012 Sienna, but none of them are related to the drivetrain. As one lucky owner found out, the Sienna’s 10 airbags can do their job when they work, so be sure to check that if you are on the market for one.

The 2GR is generally considered bulletproof although there were a few known issues related to oil leaks. Airbag and accessory recalls were most common on this model. Some owners have reported hesitation from the automatic transmission. The most frequent complaint is for some of the cheap plastics, which can be found in the otherwise well-built interior.

Toyota’s hybrids are some of the most reliable and that’s down to a number of reasons. I would love to see a newer Sienna hybrid with similar mileage. If you have a similar story, feel free to share it with us in the comments section.

Related stories:

About the author

Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.

Other relevant experiences in the automotive scene include working at a Toyota dealership, professional driving, and automotive insurance. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Experience

2012-2017 and 2025-Present: Insurance Advisor - ANG Univers and Generali Insurance Group
2016-2016: Car salesman at Toyota dealership
2014-Present: Automotive journalist, blogger, vlogger, test driver

Education