What 610 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota Sienna

The VSC and tract light stay on all the time. The Ford dealer I purchased the Van from said they had it fixed. I took it back and i was told to buy a new gas cap which I did from a Toyota dealer in my area. The light came on again. I took it back and was told it had an exhaust leak and it won't hurt the van. But I could bring it back for starting at $ 200.00 and have a leak test done on the Van, but it would take hours. Since then I've had cleaner run thru the system but the lights stay on all the time. Is this a safety hazard because its an exhaust leak? Can you please assist in the repair information before I spend hundreds of dollars chasing the problem. Thank You so much..... [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11450041

Safety issue: can't open gas door, can't open sliding door Gas door cover on the driver's side will not completely latch (faulty hinge issue? ) which prevents the sliding door from opening. Sliding door has issues in moving back and forth. Apparently there was a recall for this issue and I was never notified. When I researched the issue, I found that there was a recall but because my recall is just out of the 10 year time frame, Toyota states they won't pay for the repair of the faulty mechanism and that I have to pay for it out of pocket. Considering there has been a pandemic for the since March 2020, it's hard to believe that they wouldn't honor the repair when I called about it in December. I made a phone complaint to Toyota at the end of December 2021 and no one has returned my call.

NHTSA ODI 11449037

The brake pedal assembly fell off while driving. Due to this the driver was unable to stop the car by applying brakes. The driver let the car slow down by itself a little before applying parking brakes to bring the car to a complete halt. In this process, the driver crossed three set of lights, which were fortunately green. Two of the lights were school-crossings. The safety of pedestrians, other cars on the road and the driver themselves were at risk. It was purely by chance that they were able to stop the car before any collision. The van is now at a repair shop. The experts at the repair shop said this is NOT normal. They have asked to raise a complaint to ensure that Toyota checks out the possibility of this occurring in other vehicles of the same model / year. There were no warnings before this incident happened.

NHTSA ODI 11447763

Before June 4, 2020 my Sienna started having intermittent alerts regarding rear hatch alarms: interior lights blinking, dash display alert, & LCD alert. Bumpy roads and turns caused the alerts. I brought the van to a Toyota dealer on 6/4/2020 and the dealer could not reproduce the problem. Since then the alerts became constant, no longer intermittent. I had the 3rd row seats in use I became very concerned that rear hatch could open at any time with potentially a dangerous situation for the grandchildren. I brought the Sienna to another Toyota Dealer for service (11/1/2021)and described the ongoing problem and safety concerns. The Service Agent checked the Sensor Door Recall for the Sienna and informed me that this malfunction was NOT covered under the recall, although it triggers the sensor door alarm. He informed me that there would be a $142 Diagnostic Fee plus parts and labor to correct the problem. I told him that I removed the rear hatch interior panel and disconnected the door lock control so I could drive the car without the alarm distraction. I researched buying the Trunk Lock Actuator (Dorman Part # 931873, Rock Auto Parts $193.82 Tax & shipping) for self replacement. All that was needed was a 10mm socket to remove & replace 3 bolts and reconnect the electric connector and replace the panel. I completed this repair myself in less than 1/2 hour. I feel that this is a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE and should be included under the sensor recall directive - or a new recall directive - for Sienna 2011-2018 without charge to the owner.

NHTSA ODI 11440334

I have complained about both rear sliding doors acting erratically for almost 3 years. These doors were under a recall, as they sometimes were overloaded and would cause the fuse to blow and the door(s) would/could swing open while moving. It happened to me NUMEROUS times. Once it was so bad, that I couldn’t bring my son yo school because the door wouldn’t stay shut. They beep upon auto open and you have to fight the door open or shut no matter if you switch off the “auto door” button or not. It has been to 3 different dealers in less than 3 years. The first dealer only replaced one junction box, and wiring harness on the passenger door because that it the only door that acted up while they were in possession of sienna. The door less than a 1000 miles later started to have issues - opening, closing, staying closed. I brought it to another dealer closer to my new house - they did not fix it as it didn’t do it for them with 10 tries while parked using auto and manual settings. That seems irresponsible and irrelevant as the ongoing customer complaint is the door swinging open whilst driving (neither dealer drove it, to see if it would swing open). Nonetheless, as the drivers side door never acted up at any dealer visit - they never replaced the recalled parts even knowing it has issues and saw video of it that I took. My vehicle is now sitting at a dealer with a $1600 repair bill for the same latch, as well as the back latch for the “recalled” parts - and they are refusing to acknowledge ANY RECALL WVER on the doors (safety recall G-04) as well as Toyota customer care so far is refusing to provide monetary assistance with this ordeal as my extended warrantee expired. One doors “repair” has made the door seemingly worse, and one door has never been repaired in regards to specific recalled parts as dealer states “no issue was seen with power sliding doors”. My niece lost a lot of $70 Birkenstock’s when my door FLUNG OPEN SO FAST at 50mph with no warning (door open light)

NHTSA ODI 11439701

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated the power sliding door opened approximately nine inches and stopped without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11432870

8/27/21 Friday, 5:30PM The steering wheel tightened up, making it extremely hard to maneuver, while the vehicle was in motion. Almost got into an accident when I couldn't turn in time to avoid drifting into adjacent lane. Brought it to my local dealer and they claimed the motor failed, needed to be replaced and since it's attached to the steering column and shaft, I would need to replace the complete system, $4600 before NYS tax, which means it will cost me over $5000 before I can get my vehicle back. The vehicle has not been inspected by any other entity or agency. The issue happened on Thursday night, 8/26/21, very suddenly, as I was pulling out of a parking space, suddenly the steering got really hard, almost hit another vehicle as I pulled out, then the steering wheel light came on as I was avoiding the other vehicle. 8/27/21, Friday, this morning, I dropped off the vehicle dropped off with the dealer's service dept. My service adviser called me this afternoon, about 2 hours ago, and gave me this bad news. I checked online and found other owners of the Sienna model having the same exact issues. Also found out other Toyotas models with same issues had recalls over the years, only the Sienna was never recalled. This is too dangerous an issue not to be recalled by Toyota. I can't afford to get this fixed, what am I to do? See one of the links I found: https://www.autoweek.com/news/a1865486/power-steering-and-electric-issues-cause-toyota-recall-112500-vehicles/#:~:text=Power%20steering%20and%20electric%20issues%20cause%20Toyota%20to%20recall%20112%2C500%20vehicles,-Camry%2C%20Highlander%20and&text=Toyota%20recalled%20112%2C500%20vehicles%20due,model%20years%202014%20and%202015. I will follow up with my invoice after the repair.

NHTSA ODI 11430954

rear differential has very scary noise while driving, mechanic identified that we have to replace the rear differential which might cost $2500 to $3000 the same problem do exist on RAV4 and it's under recalls, while many people have the same problem for the same year like mine 2011 Toyota sienna AWD and other years to 2018 . This issue is the manufacture responsibility not the owner of the car as wear and tear items " my van has about 126,000 miles on it. Please a recall should be issued it is across for many people

NHTSA ODI 11428242

Loud Noise from the rear end, diagnosed to be a viscous coupler bearing malfunction by my mechanic. Total cost of repair is 2428 Dollars. In doing my research into this matter, this is a very common issue with my model Sienna. It is also common with same year Rav4 which a TSB was issued and covered by Toyota T-SB-0080-13. To cite a transmission mechanics who have experiences with the Rav4/Sienna rear differential issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1vg2sbYL68 I hope you can help, this is a very large cost which is almost the price of the car in total. My family needs this car as we do not live in a city with very little public transportation available to us for utilize. The price of the repair will be a hardship on our family. I hope you can convince Toyota to step up and stand behind their product, to a very well known issue. Thank you for all you do.

NHTSA ODI 11419438

The steering wheel is too lose. Even with all the full suspension replace. It not safe at all. It need to recall the steering shaft , and the rack and pinion. Some time it feel hard, sometimes it very loose, uncontrollable. Please recall the steering system.

NHTSA ODI 11417833

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE WHEEL..I REGULARLY HAVE TIRE BALANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY THOUSAND MILES ON MY CAR..

NHTSA ODI 11389179

I WAS DRIVING FROM TORONTO TO VIRGINIA ON 23 DEC 2020 AND REFILLED GAS IN SPRINGFIELD NY WALMART GAS STATION TO REFILL THE GAS. WHEN I ENTERED BEDFORD PA TURNPIKE, THE CAR SOUNDED WITH DIFFERENT SOUNDS FROM ENGINE ON THE RAMP WHEN ENTERING THE 70/76 FREEWAY. WHEN ENTERED TO VIRGINIA FROM MARYLAND BORDER AFTER POTOMAC RIVER CROSSING ON HIGHWAY 15 , THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SLOWLY AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT STARTED NORMAL AND DROVE TILL CHANTILLY VIRGINIA WITHOUT ANY STOPPING. BUT THE ENGINE GAVE ME DIFFERENT NOISES.

NHTSA ODI 11384962

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR

NHTSA ODI 11384607

ONE WEEK AGO I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND WHEN I START DRIVING I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE EVERY TIME I TURN MY STREEING WHEEL . SO I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT MY FRONT STRUT MOUNT ON DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE IS DAMAGED . HE TOLD ME THAT THIS PART IS NOT SUPPOSED TO GO BAD AS YET ON MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11374029

WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I STOPPED AND PARK THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE HOOD AN NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE BOTTOM PART OF THE ENGINE. (OIL LEAK OR SEEP FROM THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE).I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN STANFORD CT. AND I WAS NEVER ADVISED OF THIS ISSUE, NOR FROM TOYOTA OR THE DEALERSHIP ITSELF, EVEN THOUGH A COMMUNICATION WAS SENT TO ALL TOYOTA DEALER PRINCIPALS, SERVICE MANAGERS, PARTS MANAGERS. I SPENT $60.00 DOLLARS FOR TOW TRUCK / $148.14 ON TOYOTA ORIGINAL PARTS / $270.00 FOR LABOR. I SPOKE TO TWO COMPANY TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NO LONGER ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COVERING THIS PROBLEM AS WARRANTY COVERAGE EXPIRED ON MARCH OF 2020.I WAS EXPECTING FOR TOYOTA TO COVER MY EXPENSES AS THIS IS A FACTORY ENGINEERING DESIGN DONE WRONG. ROBERTO MARTINEZ 374 WADSWORTH AVE APT 6C NEW YORK, NY 10040

NHTSA ODI 11373151

VEHICLE STEERING SEEMS TO BE "JERKY." DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS GET NAUSEA AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE SWAYING AFTER GETTING OUT AFTER TRAVELING AROUND IN VEHICLE. THIS IS WHEN TRAVELING ON CITY STREETS AND ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS. MAKES STAYING IN MY LANE DIFFICULT.

NHTSA ODI 11363361

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED UNINTENTIONALLY. THE CONTACT CONTACTED DON JOSEPH TOYOTA (1111 W MAIN ST, KENT, OH 44240; (330) 673-2200) WHO INFORMMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DOOR HINGES AS WELL AS THE DOOR LATCH FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11360748

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR IS BROKEN. WE CLICKED THE BUTTON TO OPEN IT AND THE CABLE SNAPPED. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND STILL IN A PARKING SPOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11355121

HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WLHCLDCXTN4&FEATURE=SHARE&FBCLID=IWAR3TIPWLFM7UXQPYITISICPV6SGC-6VESVN-Z04ZS4E2PWYCYN2TY9U4L34 MY MOTOR NOW HAS A SEVERE VALVE AND ROD KNOCK WATCH THE VIDEO. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE COULD BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IF THEY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS NEGLIGENT DESIGN FLAW. TOYOTA DESIGNED AN RUBBER OIL HOSE THAT GETS STIFF AND BREAKS. THIS IS DESIGN NEGLIGENCE TO USE RUBBER HOSES ON AN OIL SYSTEM. TOYOTA REDESIGNED THIS PART WITH STEEL INSTEAD OF RUBBER .THIS SHOWS ME THEY KNEW THE DESIGN WAS BAD IN THE FIRST PLACE. VAN'S ABS AND VSC LIGHTS COME ON BUT NO OIL LIGHT WARNING. MY MOTOR STARTED MAKING NOISE BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IT RAN OUT OF OIL. THERE WAS NO OIL WARNING LIGHT. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THE MOTOR MAKING NOISE. MY CAR ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL. AGAIN, NO OIL LIGHT WARNING. SINCE I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS, I FOUND OUT ABOUT FOUR MORE SIENNA'S THAT HAD THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS. FRANKLY ALL OF THESE HOSES WILL GO BAD AS THE MECHANIC REMARKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM CAR ENGINEERS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHEN THEY DESIGN A CAR. I WORKED IN MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING THOSE PARTS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED WHEN THEY ARE PREDICTED TO FAIL. ONE WOULD CONSIDER TWO SCENARIOS. 1.THEY HAD BAD ENGINEERS DESIGNING THIS SYSTEM, HOWEVER CAR MANUFACTURERS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHEN THEY DESIGN A VEHICLE. 2.OR THEY DESIGNED IT TO BREAK TO SELL MORE REPLACEMENT ENGINES FOR FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH. THEY KEPT THIS A SECRET OR MADE NO MENTION OF THIS PROBABLY TO SELL ENGINE REPLACEMENTS. THE TOYOTA MANAGER CALLED ME AND BASICALLY TOLD ME TOUGH. THEREFORE I WILL BE SUING THEM IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. HOPEFULLY TOYOTA WILL BE REPLACING MY MOTOR. BY THE WAY I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES I MAINTAIN THEM WITH REGULAR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS ALONG WITH OIL CHANGES AT THE PRESCRIBED MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11354531

BANK 1 SENSOR 2, ,A/F SENSOR BANK 1 SENSOR & O2 SENSOR BANK 1 SENSOR 2, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ALONG WITH 2 OTHER LIGHTS TURN ON. IT HAPPENED IN 2017, THEN WENT AWAY. THE WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON AGAIN IN 2020. IT COSTS MORE THAN $1000 TO FIX IT. ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEMS. THEY SAID IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS SENSOR TO GO BAD. WE OWNED SEVERAL TOYOTA CARS SO FAR WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. BUT THIS SENSOR ISSUES TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL IT TO FIX THE PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI 11348372

FUEL DOOR BEGAN POPPING OPEN. UPON TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT THAT HAD EXPIRED IN APRIL. THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME AFTER A ELDERLY LADY PASSED AWAY. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2019 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS NEEDED ANY SERVICE. (THIS IS OBVIOUS TO SEE BY LOOKING AT THE MILEAGE.) I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL BEFORE OR AFTER BUYING THIS VEHICLE. TOYOTA IS NOW REFUSING TO FIX THE RECALL. YOU CAN TELL BY THE MILEAGE THIS VEHICLE IS IN CLOSE TO NEW CONDITION. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS FAIR. I CAN SUPPLY A DEATH CERTIFICATE IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI 11341511

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNINGS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A BEEPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE VOSS TOYOTA (2110 HELLER DR, BEAVERCREEK, OH 45434, (937) 431-2100), WHERE A TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE SAME DEALER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE) AND 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ODI 11323515

FUEL FILLER/GAS DOOR HINGE AND PIN. BROKEN/DEFECTIVE DOOR HINGE AND PIN WILL CAUSE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR TO NOT CLOSE OR OPEN PROPERLY. A SAFETY HAZARDOUS TO THE PASSENGER. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A "CERTAIN 2011-2018 SIENNA CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE PROGRAM NOTIFICATION -ZKI" LETTER WHICH I HAVE JUST RECEIVED ON 04/21/2020, IN REGARDS TO THE "FUEL FILLER DOOR HINGE AND PIN / POWER SLIDING DOOR REPAIR. HOWEVER, I WAS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE NECESSARY REPAIR BASED ON THE DATE OF FIRST USED: 03/19/2010. I RECEIVED TOYOTA LETTER OF NOTICE TWO DAYS AFTER MY COVERAGE HAS EXPIRED. TOYOTA WON'T HONOR THE REPAIRS TO FIX THE FUEL FILLER DOOR HINGE AND PIN / POWER SLIDING DOOR ISSUES CLAIMING MY COVERAGE HAS EXPIRED WHEN IN FACT THE NOTICE WAS DELAYED AND LATE.

NHTSA ODI 11321925

REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AT 143K MILES

NHTSA ODI 11319309

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JOHNTSTONS TOYOTA LOCATED AT (5021 NY-17M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958, (845) 374-8600) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 297,000.

NHTSA ODI 11318296