Previous generations of the Toyota Sienna ran into a number of quality hiccups. Some owners reported defects in body welds, malfunctioning rearview cameras, and issues with the vehicle’s electronic components. Those shortcomings prompted several manufacturer recalls to address the faults. In practice, backup cameras could sometimes show an inaccurate image, while the infotainment system was prone to glitches and freezes—frustrations that understandably wore on owners.

Even so, the latest versions of the Toyota Sienna show encouraging momentum on the reliability front. Recent tests by Consumer Reports indicate the model now posts reliability slightly above the average mark set by earlier generations. That uptick is welcome—particularly since flaky camera feeds or frozen infotainment can quickly grate in family use—yet the scores still fall short of the top tier.

Stacked against rivals, experts concluded that the hybrid version of the Kia Carnival takes first place for reliability in the minivan segment, earning high marks across nearly all test parameters. Despite meaningful progress, the Toyota Sienna trails the leader and ranks second for reliability among minivans.