HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna

OUR VERDICT
The Toyota Sienna is the stronger buy(5 of 6 categories)
OPTION A

Honda Odyssey

19992026 · minivan

65/100 · Good
3.8
Recalls / yr
244.5
Complaints / yr
97
Lifetime recalls
8,169
Lifetime complaints
OPTION B

Toyota Sienna

19982026 · minivan

81/100 · Excellent
1.6
Recalls / yr
59.5
Complaints / yr
96
Lifetime recalls
5,703
Lifetime complaints

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Every metric is normalized per model year so a long-running nameplate isn't unfairly penalized against a newer rival. The greener cell wins each row.

MetricOdysseySienna
Reliability Index
Higher is better
65/10081/100
Best Year Buyer Score
Higher is better
81/100 (2017)92/100 (2020)
Recalls per Year
Lower is better
3.81.6
Complaints per Year
Lower is better
244.559.5
Injuries + Deaths / Year
Lower is better
8.84.1
Crash-Involved Complaints
Lower is better
2.3%5.6%
Categories won15

Best Year to Buy — Each Model

Honda Odyssey
TOP PICK
2017
Buyer Score 81/100
1 recall · 25 complaints
Full Odyssey buyer's guide →
Toyota Sienna
TOP PICK
2020
Buyer Score 92/100
0 recalls · 27 complaints
Full Sienna buyer's guide →

Most-Reported Problems

Odyssey
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
767
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
749
POWER TRAIN
733
ENGINE
728
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
454
Sienna
STRUCTURE:BODY
576
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
442
AIR BAGS
392
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
330
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
325

Complaint counts across all model years, from NHTSA owner filings. Frequency indicates how often an area is reported, not severity.

The Bottom Line

On the data, the Toyota Sienna is the safer used-car bet, winning 5 of 6 categories. It carries a 81/100 Reliability Index versus 65/100 for the Honda Odyssey, and averages 1.6 recalls and 59.5 complaints per model year (vs 3.8 and 244.5). Whichever you choose, run the specific VIN — a single car's accident and title history can outweigh the model-level averages.

Narrowed it down? Verify the actual car.

This compares models. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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