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What 247 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Sienna

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (247)Crash / fire / injury (16)Airbags (84)Body & structure (72)Electrical system (27)Transmission & drivetrain (17)Steering (15)Wheels (12)Brakes (11)Speed control (11)Engine (9)Tires (8)

72 of 247 complaints match · Body & structure · clear filters · page 3 of 3

Mar 6, 2017AirbagsBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V858000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10958853

Feb 28, 2017Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10957547

Feb 28, 2017AirbagsBody & structure

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 06/07/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL FOR THE REAR DOOR EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE COMPLETED. UPDATED 10/12/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 10957586

Feb 24, 2017Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10956823

Jan 25, 2017AirbagsBody & structure

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC FUNCTION WOULD NEED TO TEMPORARILY BE DISCONNECTED DUE TO THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL STILL BEING UNDER DEVELOPMENT, AND TO MANUALLY OPERATE THE DOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY AND REPAIR PARTS WOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10947581

Jan 23, 2017Body & structure

THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR FAILED IN MID-OPERATION LEAVING THE DOOR SLIGHTLY OPENED. WE WERE UNABLE TO MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR IN THE NORMAL MANNER, HOWEVER IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TRIP HOME WE FORCIBLY POSITIONED THE DOOR INTO THE CLOSED POSITION. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE DOOR MOTOR WAS DAMAGED BY OUR ACTIONS AND PROCEEDED TO CHARGE US NEARLY $2000 TO REPAIR THE MOTOR AND DOOR CABLE. WE EXPLAINED THAT WE COULD HEAR THE MOTOR ENGAGING JUST FINE AND THAT THERE MUST BE ANOTHER ROOT CAUSE, THEY DISAGREED AND DISMISSED US COMPLETELY. WE CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA DIRECTLY, HOWEVER THEY'VE TAKEN THE SAME POSITION AS THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10947016

Sep 21, 2016Body & structureEngineCrashFire3 injuries

ON AUGUST 27, 2016 I WAS DRIVING OUR 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC WAS TERRIBLE AND I REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. THE IMPACT WAS MINOR, BUT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT THE CAR TO THE FRAME. MY WIFE AND I WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR BEFORE IT BURNED. WHEN I EXITED THE CAR, I TOOK MY KEYS WITH ME. HOWEVER, I WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS AND EVERYTHING I HAD IN THE BACK OF THE VAN BURNED. THANKFULLY, OUR CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR. IF THEY HAD BEEN, I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO BREAK WINDOWS TO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10908557

Sep 4, 2016Body & structure

THE SENSOR IN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR OF MY 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA, WOULD NOT STOP BEEPING EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE LATCH WAS RUSTING AWAY, AND TOYOTA WANTED $1,400 TO REPLACE IT. THE DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH IS MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL, SO WHY IS THE SLIDING DOOR LATCH RUSTING? AND WHY CAN'T WE DISABLE THE SENSOR?

NHTSA ODI 10903513

Jan 15, 2016Body & structure

IT RAINED AND FROZE, SNOWED AND THAWED, AND THE LATCH ON THE SLIDING DOOR OF MY 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA BROKE. THE DOOR WOULD SLIDE OPEN AND CLOSED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED. FORTUNATELY NONE OF MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 10820438

Nov 7, 2015Body & structure

I HAVE BROUGHT THE SIENNA INTO TOYOTA ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AS IT WAS CLUNKING WHEN IT CLOSED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT EACH TIME, BUT THE LIFTGATE WAS CLEARLY NOT ALIGNED. WATER IS NOW COMING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE LIFT GATE. I DID BACK UP INTO A TREE, AND HAD DAMAGE TO THE BACK QUARTER PANEL AND IT WAS REPAIRED BY A BODY SHOP. TOYOTA IS STATING THAT THIS CAUSED THE LIFTGATE TO BE MISALIGNED AND THAT IS CAUSING THE WATER TO COME THROUGH THE LIFTGATE. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT UNTIL I RAN THE MINIVAN THROUGH A TOUCH FREE CARWASH AND WATER WAS APPLIED UNDER PRESSURE THAT I NOTICED THE WATER COMING IN. MY COMPLAINT IS I BELIEVE THAT IF THE LIFTGATE COULD BE MISALIGNED BY QUARTER PANEL DAMAGE, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN UNDER EXTREME STRESS OF A CAR ACCIDENT. I DO BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP IS AVOIDING REALIGNING THE LIFT GATE, BUT I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE WORE VERY EARLY. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AT TOYOTA BECAUSE WE WERE TAKING THE VEHICLE ON A FAMILY TRIP. I WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL AND NOTICED THAT THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE TO HAVE A 6 YEAR WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 10789007

Nov 7, 2015Body & structure

I HAVE BROUGHT THE SIENNA INTO TOYOTA ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AS THERE WAS CLUNKING WHEN THE LIFT GATE CLOSED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT EACH TIME, BUT THE LIFTGATE WAS AND IS CLEARLY NOT ALIGNED. WATER IS NOW COMING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE LIFT GATE. I DID BACK UP INTO A TREE, AND HAD DAMAGE TO THE BACK QUARTER PANEL AND IT WAS REPAIRED BY A BODY SHOP. TOYOTA IS STATING THAT THIS CAUSED THE LIFTGATE TO BE MISALIGNED AND THAT IS CAUSING THE WATER TO COME THROUGH THE LIFTGATE. MY COMPLAINT IS I BELIEVE THAT DEALERSHIP IS AVOIDING REALIGNING THE LIFT GATE. I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT THIS IN UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE DAMAGE TO THE VAN UPON INITIAL VISIT. AT THIS POINT, IF THE LIFTGATE IS NOT REALIGNED AND FIXED PROPERLY AND WATER CONTINUES TO COME IN, IT WILL EVENTUALLY DESTROY THE MECHANISM THAT IS USED FOR THE AUTO OPEN AND CLOSE. IN ADDITION, I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IF WHAT TOYOTA STATES IS TRUE (THE LIFTGATE CAN BE MISALIGNED BY QUARTER PANEL DAMAGE).

NHTSA ODI 10789011

Jul 24, 2015Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE SLIDING DOORS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 10743263

Nov 1, 2014Body & structure

I WANT TO CORRECT THAT ON OUR 2012 SIENNA IT IS THE BACK SLIDING DOOR THAT IT IS THE "HINGE" THAT OPENS AND SHUTS THE DOOR, LOCKS IT, ATTACHES IT TO THE VAN THAT IS STARTING TO RUST. TOYOTA REPLY IS TILL IT FALLS OFF, OR STARTS TO "BE MORE RUSTED, BUT NOT IN OUR LIFETIME" IT IS COSMETIC, YET IT IS DANGEROUS AND WILL AFFECT THE RESALE VALUE AND IT IS NEAR THE WIRES THAT OPEN AND SHUT IT, WHICH I HAVE READ PROBLEMS ABOUT. TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HINGES RUSTING AND REPLACE THEM BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT, YOU JUST DON'T WAIT FOR THE ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN OR TILL SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10651792

Oct 27, 2014Body & structure

TODAY WHILE CLEANING THE VAN, I NOTICED THE LEVER AND/OR LATCH THAT HOLDS THE BACK SLIDING DOORS AND MOVES THEM OPEN AND SHUT, KEEPS THE BACK SLIDING DOORS ON, IS STARTING TO RUST WHERE THE DOOR IS CONNECTED NEAR THE CABLES THAT OPEN AND SHUT THE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10650446

Sep 15, 2014Seat beltsBody & structure

THE PERSON SIT BEHIND THE DRIVER, PUSH THE AUTOMATIC VAN DOOR CLOSE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR THEN REACHED OVER FOR THE SEAT BELT. THE PERSON ACCIDENTALLY REACH THE HAND BETWEEN THE SLIDING DOOR AND DOOR FRAME RIGHT NEXT TO THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR CLOSE TO THE DOOR. THE DOOR CLOSED ON THE OPEN FINGER AND TRIED TO CLOSE EVEN TIGHTER. THE DOOR MECHANISM DID NOT REVERSE AND OPEN THE DOOR BACK UP, BUT CONTINUES TO TRY TO CLOSE THE DOOR COMPLETELY. AFTER SOME HARD PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE, THE DOOR FINALLY REOPENED. THE PERSON FINGER WAS BRUISED AND THE WEDDING RINGS SHAPE HAS BEEN DAMAGED. THE RING IS NO LONGER ROUND NOR STRAIGHT, IT HAS BEEN TORQUED BY THE FORCE OF THE DOOR MECHANISM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10633182

Aug 27, 2014Body & structure

(REAR POWER SLIDING DOORS: NO SAFETY SENSORS TO STOP THE DOOR ) I PULLED THE HANDLE OF THE REAR POWER SLIDING DOOR TO OPEN TO LET MY DOG OUT. SHE PUT HER HEAD INTO THE OPENING BETWEEN THE TRACTOR CABLE THAT GLIDES THE DOOR BACK AND THE REAR PORTION OF THE DOOR. THE POWER DOOR CONTINUED TO SLIDE BACK AND INWARD. MY REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE DOOR INCLUDED ME PULLING AGAINST IT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH THE DOOR JUST KEPT SLIDING EITHER BACK OR FORWARD. MY DOG TRIED TO SQUEEZE HERSELF OUT AND ONLY MANAGED TO GET HALF HER BODY OUT. SHE LOOKED LIKE SHE WAS CUT IN HALF. MY NEIGHBORS CAME OVER AND HELD THE DOOR TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BODY OF THE VAN AND THE SLIDING DOOR WAS SO TIGHT (3 TO 4 INCHES), I COULD NOT PUSH OR PULL MY DOG OUT. I THOUGHT SHE WAS BEING CRUSHED TO DEATH. I WENT TO DISENGAGE THE BATTERY TO MAKE SURE THE DOOR WOULD NOT MOVE AND MY DOG WAS ABLE TO WRIGGLE HER ENTIRE BODY OUT OF THAT TINY OPENING. THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND WAS TERRIFYING. MY DOG SUFFERED ONLY BRUISED RIBS. I HAD A CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY BEFORE THIS AND THE DOOR SENSORS STOPPED AT THE SLIGHTEST INTERFERENCE. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10628688

Aug 18, 2014Electrical systemBody & structure

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LATCH SHUT WHEN CLOSING DOOR EITHER MANUALLY OF ELECTRICALLY. WHEN CLOSING FRONT LATCHES ENGAGE OF SLIDING DOOR BUT SUBSEQUENT REAR LATCHING DOES NOT ENGAGE UPON END OF CLOSING CYCLE. ONE CAN HEAR REAR OF SLIDING DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM ACTUATOR WHINE WHEN ATTEMPTING FINAL CLOSE CYCLE. AFTER THE VAN'S FAILURE TO CYCLE THE DOOR SHUT AT REAR, THEN ALSO AT REAR A DIAGNOSTIC SOUNDS A LONG BEEP WARNING SOUND AFTERWARDS. REMOVING NEGATIVE TO SEE IF THIS WOULD RESET THE DOOR IN SOME WAY ONLY SERVED TO CANCEL ALL ELECTRONIC COMMANDS TO THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE USELESS FROM ANY BUTTON (FOB, OVERHEAD CONTROL CONSOLE BUTTON, MANUAL DOOR HANDLE OPENING OR OPEN/CLOSE BUTTONS). PASSENGER (RIGHT) SLIDING DOOR UNAFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10626109

Jul 13, 2014Visibility & wipersBody & structureEquipment Adaptive/mobility

BRAND NEW TOYOTA SIENNA. THE MOONROOF/SUNROOF KEEPS LEAKING. BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND WHEN WE COME BACK THE ADVISER ALWAYS TELLS US THE VAN WON'T LEAK ANYMORE ONLY TO FIND OUT THE NEXT TIME IT RAINS, THE CAR LEAKS AGAIN. WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING( WE GUESSED IT LEAKED A LONG TIME AGO DUE TO THE RUSTED PARTS AROUND THE GLASS) SINCE NO ONE REALLY SITS IN THE BACK. THE DEALER ALREADY REPLACED THE GLASS AND THE RUBBER SEALS AROUND IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10610237

Jun 13, 2014Electrical systemBody & structure

WE FIRST ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION TO OPEN OR CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY BUT IT STILL WORKED MANUALLY. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE REAR LATCH OF THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR BECAME STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION THUS NOT ALLOWING THE DOOR TO FULLY CLOSE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO GREASED THE LATCH AND ALLOWED IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY HOWEVER THE DOOR WOULD STILL ONLY OPEN AUTOMATICALLY BUT WOULD OPEN OR CLOSE MANUALLY JUST FINE. DURING THIS TIME THERE WERE 3 INSTANCES WHEN THE DOOR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY OPEN WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION BUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEATS. TOYOTA AGREES THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BUT WILL ONLY SPLIT THE $1,200 BILL WITH US. BASED ON THE FACT THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF WARRANTY PROVES THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE YET FAIL TO ISSUE A RECALL AND PUT ARE WILLING TO RISK LIVES ESPECIALLY CHILDREN'S LIVES TO SAVE FACE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10598023

Jan 20, 2014Body & structure1 injury

THE ENGINE WAS OFF. I OPENED THE REAR HATCH, WHILE I WAS UNDER THE HATCH PLACING ITEMS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR MY HUSBAND NOT REALIZING I HAD ALREADY OPENED IT AND WAS UNDER IT PUSHED THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE HATCH BUT SINCE IT WAS ALREADY OPEN IT STARTED TO CLOSE ON ME. UPON MEETING RESISTANCE FROM ME (SUBSTANTIAL I MIGHT ADD) IT DID NOT STOP CLOSING AND I HAD TO JUMP INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED. EITHER THERE IS NO SENSOR TO SENSE AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE DOOR OR THE SENSOR IS FAULTY. WE WILL NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THIS BUT THIS IS A SENSOR THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL, THIS DOOR IS BIG ENOUGH TO SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE OR KILL A CHILD. I WAS NOT INJURED SERIOUSLY BUT MY NECK AND SHOULDER ARE SORE AT THIS POINT FROM PUSHING BACK ON THE DOOR AND TIME WILL TELL IF IT IS MORE THAN A MINOR STRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10560725

May 21, 2013Body & structure1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CHILD PASSENGER WAS INJURED FROM THE AUTOMATIC REAR SLIDING DOOR. THE SLIDING DOOR INDEPENDENTLY CLOSED ON THE CHILD'S ARM.. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, BECAUSE AN INJURY OCCURRED THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD CONTACT HER ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,535.

NHTSA ODI 10513006

Nov 15, 2012Body & structure

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR OCCASIONALLY (I.E. NOT ALL THE TIME) MAKES AN ABNORMAL POP NOISE WHEN INITIALLY OPENING WITH THE OUTSIDE HANDLE OR WITH THE INSIDE HANDLE ON THE SLIDING DOOR. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN THE DOOR IS OPENED WITH OTHER METHOD (E.G. REMOTE, OVER-HEAD MOUNT CONTROL, BUTTON ON B-PILLAR). IT SEEMS AS IF THE DOOR DOESN'T UNLATCH BEFORE THE MOTOR START PULLING THE DOOR. THE SYMPTOM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THIS TSB FOR CERTAIN 2011 SIENNA: T-SB-0044-11. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10484815

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Working with the data? Download all 247 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Toyota Sienna verdict →