Home · 2012 Toyota Sienna · Complaints

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)

16 of 247 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Dec 30, 2022AirbagsBackup camera & sensorsCrash1 injury

I was at a full stopped and rear Ended at 30 miles an hour and the air bags did not deploy and I am suffering many injuries pain and loss The air bags didn’t deploy at all

NHTSA ODI 11499500

Nov 1, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO SEEING A CHIROPRACTOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. *LN *TR*JB *TR *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11277556

Jan 11, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesCrash

ON THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 10, 2019, MY TOYOTA SIENNA FAILED TO BRAKE AND RESULTED IN A TWO-CAR COLLISION. JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, MY SON WHO WAS SEATED IN THE SECOND-ROW, OBSERVED ON THE MULTI-INFORMATION DISPLAY THAT THE ABS, VSC, AND TRAC WERE DISPLAYING.

NHTSA ODI 11166471

Dec 5, 2018Electrical systemFire

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM RUNNING ERRANDS, ABOUT A 4 MILE DRIVE AT 35 MILES/HR. AT A STOP LIGHT THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL SURGE. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, SO I ASSUMED IT WAS A FLUKE AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY HOME. A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER STOP LIGHT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED TO UNLOAD MY CAR WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCOVER A SMALL FIRE COMING FROM A LARGE GROUP OF WRAPPED WIRES BEHIND THE BATTERY. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT QUICKLY WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT THE CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS SOME OTHER NEARBY PARTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THERE IS JUST UNDER 65,000 MILES ON IT AND I BROUGHT IT IN FOR IT'S 60K MAINTENANCE 6 MONTHS AGO (6/11/18). AT THAT TIME THEY ALSO TOOK CARE OF THE RECALLS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE POWER SLIDING DOORS. SINCE I WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE QUICKLY, THIS VEHICLE SUFFERED MINIMAL ENGINE DAMAGE, SO I'M WONDERING IF IT SHOULD BE USED FOR INVESTIGATION PURPOSES BEFORE REPAIRS ARE MADE AS IT APPEARS THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED WITH OTHER TOYOTA SIENNAS THAT SUFFERED MUCH GREATER DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11156461

Sep 11, 2018Electrical systemVisibility & wipersEngineFire

THIS CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FEW MINUTES AFTER SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES- WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH EVERYTHING LOOKING JUST FINE , THE A/C FAN FLUCTUATED ON AND OFF -CAR BLUE TOOTH ALSO KEPT DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECT FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF FEW TIMES . AFTER MAYBE 2 MINUETS I REACHED HOME ,MAY FAMILY GOT OFF THE CAR WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD . I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A MEDIUM SIZE FIRE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE, I CALLED 911 RIGHT AWAY . IN LESS THAN 10-15 MINS MOST OF THE CAR MELT FROM THE FIRE PLUS THE WHOLE GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11128824

Apr 23, 2018AirbagsSeat beltsVisibility & wipers1 injury

MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND I BELIEVE THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME LOST THE TRAILER HITCH. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 15 MPH. DROVE OVER A TRAILER HITCH IN THE ROAD AND ALL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING A VIOLENT STOP TO THE VAN AND INJURIES AND SHOCK TO MY DAUGHTER AND MYSELF

NHTSA ODI 11089764

Feb 9, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash

WHILE PARKED, DRIVER BEGAN EXITING VEHICLE AND VAN BEGAN TO ROLL AND CONTINUED TO ROLL WHEN GEAR SHIFT LEVER CONFIRMED IN PARK AND BRAKE CONTINUALLY PRESSED, EVENTUALLY HITTING A HOUSE.

NHTSA ODI 11071940

Sep 10, 2017Body & structureBrakesEngineCrash

I MET AN ACCIDENT WHEN A CAR (AT SPEED AROUND 65 MPH) CROSSING THE RED LIGHT COMING FROM MY RIGHT HIT MY CAR AT MY RIGHT FRONT AND NONE OF THE SRS BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE 4 PASSENGERS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND WE ALL HAD MINOR INJURIES. ALL THE SRS BAGS FOR OTHER CAR HAS BEEN DEPLOYED THAT HIT MY CAR. I AM REALLY CONCERNED WE ALL 4 WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND IT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED AS THE FATAL ACCIDENT BY POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ODI 11022513

Jul 12, 2017Steering1 injury

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SWITCHED FROM PARKING POSITION INTO REVERSE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ROLLED BACK. BEFORE ROLLING BACK THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE PARKING POSITION ON THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE

NHTSA ODI 11004729

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

Jul 5, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

45MPH FRONT END IMPACT DID NOT DEPLOY AID BAG. DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES FROM HER FACE IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 10882569

Feb 21, 2014Speed controlCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE. THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND RAPID INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 03/20/14*LJ UPDATED 03/21/2014 *JS THE CONSUMER STATED AS TRAFFIC BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, HE DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE. UPDATED 04/03/14

NHTSA ODI 10565253

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

Jul 24, 2013EngineCrashFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER AND AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, HE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE HORN THEN BEGAN TO SOUND AS SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR CABIN. THE SIX OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE AND WERE ABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF A PARTIALLY OPENED WINDOW AS THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR THE FIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 10531559

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

Mar 19, 2013AirbagsSeat beltsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TWICE; ONCE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR AREA AND AGAIN FROM THE REAR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN AND BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS THROWN INTO THE DASHBOARD AND SUSTAINED FACIAL, BACK AND NECK INJURIES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND THE LEGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000......UPDATED 05/09/13 *BF UPDATED 05/22/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10503584

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 →