What 75 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Sienna

Our van has recently been having issues with the sliding doors. It has occurred while driving and the warning light as well as the warning for a door open, and the door lights have came on. Right before this occurs you can hear a click sound from the sliding door behind the driver's side as well as when you close the door, you can hear a strange sound when it closes, unlike the passenger side sliding door.

NHTSA ODI 11679778

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the driver’s side electric sliding door failed to properly open and close, and occasionally abruptly closed, causing a safety hazard to the occupants entering and exiting the vehicle. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11656702

Excessive outer wear on front tires

NHTSA ODI 11653088

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated the driver-side sliding door latch failed to latch as intended. The contact stated that after several attempts, the sliding door failed to close completely. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. However, an unknown part was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact removed the button under the sliding door to manually close the door. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign number: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11640664

After 80,000 miles have a loud whirling sound coming from rear, after inspection and online investigation found many many others with same issue, the dust cover and or o-ring doesn’t properly protect the rear bearing in the coupler. So while the fix is to remove the rear differential coupler, and replace the bearing with an improved version, seems Toyota has stopped supporting this, and no longer offers the improved bearing as a replacement part, but only supports replacing the entire rear differential coupling at $2000 for the part plus labor. While many have replaced the bearing without issues despite toyota not allowing it as a fix. So first it should be a recall as this is an obvious defect effecting thousands, but then to gouge owners for thousands when the fix doesn’t require a complete replacement of the rear differential coupling assembly.

NHTSA ODI 11571331

A deer was struck on the driver to middle of the front of the van while traveling 75 mph on the highway. Caused significant enough damage that van was inoperable. What was concerning was the airbags did not deploy despite the significant force and high speed associated with this accident.

NHTSA ODI 11527575

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine/transmission and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle at the rate of 55-60 mph, the vehicle came to a complete/instant stop without warning — potential causing harm or even death to the occupants of the associated vehicle, and it adversely affected my ability to safely control the vehicle. Also, as the incident was occurring, my drivers seatbelt became very, very tight. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, but this is the second occurrence of this same incident within the past 30 days.

NHTSA ODI 11509231

The rear sliding power door on the passenger side closed on my six year old child. He was trapped in the door and could not move until I opened the door. He has pain and visible injuries on his back from the door. This happened on 2.10.23. There have not been any incidents with the van leading up to this incident. This happened when the van was parked in the garage and the engine was off. We have not tried to replicate the incident because it caused an injury. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11506720

AIR CONDITIONER WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. NOT SURE WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11485031

I was driving my 2016 Sienna 30 mph, when suddenly, the rear driver's side window exploded. The police came and inspected the incident, the surroundings and the vehicle, and determined that there was no object or strike to cause the explosion. There were no warnings or lamps. There was no pressure change such as a window or door opening to cause the explosion. Should the glass have imploded, we would be having a very different conversation, as my two children were in the vehicle with me. The safety of my two children was at risk due to the glass exploding. We called our local Toyota dealer, and they claim to have no information on dealer notifications, recalls, or even heard of such a thing, perhaps to avoid having to pay for the repair. I have attached a photo of the damaged window.

NHTSA ODI 11439744

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED, WHICH RESULTED IN HER CRASHING THE VEHICLE INTO THE HIGHWAY SIDE BARRIER AND A FENCE STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO THE WATER. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND PERFORMED AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT FROM THE INSPECTION, THE EDR RECORDED VARIOUS STEERING INPUT PRIOR TO THE IMPACT, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF A STEERING DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE, AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 11403888

CURRENTLY OVERSEAS IN THE ARMY AND NO TOYOTA STORE WILL FIX IT AND THE ARMY WILL NOT LET ME SHIP MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE STATES. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11396132

THERE IS SOMETHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SUSPENSION THAT IS CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR COMPLETELY IN 15K-20K MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T34192_DS548164

NHTSA ODI 11351994

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT WHEELS AFTER 20,000 MILES. MINIVAN IS DRIVEN IN NORMAL CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. TIRES ARE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES. ALL 4 TIRES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 20,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11344026

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR SLID OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUBURN TOYOTA (800 NEVADA ST, AUBURN, CA 95603) AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,512.

NHTSA ODI 11339817

WHILE BUCKLING UP ON 6 DEC 2019, THE SEAT ATTACHMENT TO THE B-PILLAR COMPLETELY, WITHOUT RESISTANCE, DETACHED. THE BOLT THAT SECURED THE BELT WAS ON THE FLOOR, COMPLETELY PRISTINE IN APPEARANCE, UNDAMAGED, WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE OF THREAD-LOCKER APPLICATION AT THE FACTORY. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS AND WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, WITHOUT A TRACE OF BODY RUST OR DETERIORATION. DEALER REPLACED THE BOLT AND CHECKED THE OTHER BELT ANCHORING BOLTS AND SAID THEY WERE OKL. HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER IN TWO DAYS SINCE THEIR REPAIR HAD LEFT THE SEAT BELT TWISTED. THEY UNBOLTED, THEN RE-BOLTED THE BELT ANCHOR IN THE UN-TWISTED, CORRECT POSITION. NO HARM OCCURRED SINCE I PUT ON MY BELT BEFORE STARTING THE CAR; REALIZING THE DEFECT IMMEDIATELY, I GOT TO WORK BY OTHER MEANS THAT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN MY GARAGE AT THE TIME OF THE DEFECT DISCOVERY.

NHTSA ODI 11312097

THE STEERING SEIZED UP ON MY 2016 TOYOTA VAN WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED. THERE ARE ONLY 20904 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. TOYOTA SAYS MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. TOYOTA SAYS I WILL NEED A NEW STEERING ASSEMBLY, WHICH I WILL HAVE TO PAY IS FOR $3200.

NHTSA ODI 11291343

OUR 2016 TOYOTA SIENNA SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AFTER RETURNING FROM A SHORT DRIVE. AFTER PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION, MY WIFE SMELLED SMOKE AS SHE WAS EXITING THE PARKED VEHICLE. THIS SMOKE INTENSIFIED AND QUICKLY ACCELERATED BECOMING AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. SHE CALLED FOR ME & THEN CALLED 911; BUT IN THE BRIEF MOMENTS IT TOOK ME TO GRAB A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE FURTHER INTENSIFIED WITH SIZABLE FLAMES ERUPTING OUT FROM AROUND THE HOOD, FRONT GRILL & UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I USED UP 2 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT. I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROTECTIVE SAFETY GEAR SO AFTER HEARING SEVERAL SMALL EXPLOSIONS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD & FEARING MORE EXPOSURE TO NOXIOUS FUMES, I DECIDED TO ABANDON MY ATTEMPTS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT; HOWEVER, THE FIRE PROGRESSED THROUGH THE INITIAL ATTACK AND ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE (SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS). THE SIENNA IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF ENGINE FIRES IN TOYOTA SIENNAS IN THIS & OTHER CLOSELY RELATED MODEL YEARS (2014-2017). SEE: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11010601. I CAN ALSO SUPPLY YOU WITH SOME ADDITIONAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS OF OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA ENGINE FIRE REPORTS. OUR SIENNA WAS ROUTINELY MAINTAINED AS PER MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS & WAS LAST SERVICED ON 9/13/2019 (SEE ATTACHED SERVICE RECEIPT). THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 35K MILES ON IT & EXHIBITED NO PRIOR SIGNS OF TROUBLE, CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE OR WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. WE DID HAVE AN UNRESOLVED PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC SIDE DOORS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AFTER A RECALL REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE SERVICE COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI 11288762

ON JUNE 6, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 6 PM MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WAS DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND IT ACCELERATED TO 40-50 MPH. BRAKING DID NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. I JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT THREE SMALL TREES. IT CAME TO A HALT AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE HAD BEEN SUSTAINED. IT WAS TOWED TO CUMMINGS MOBILITY WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11228525

IT THE SLIDING DOOR THAT COULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING. TOYOTA SENT A RECALL DOCUMENT BUT THEY CLAIM THAT SINCE IT WAS FIXED WITH A RAMP FOR HANDICAP ,THEY CLAIM THAT THE ONES RESPONSIBLE ARE THE OTHER COMPANY AND NOT TOYOTA. THE COMPANY EXAMINED IT AND THEY CLAIM THAT IT IS TOYOTA.

NHTSA ODI 11206506

SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED ON ME AND MY KIDS ON MID MORNING OF 5/9/2019. NO OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 85 DEGREES. THE GLASS IS SHATTERED WITH NO WAY OF UTILIZING THE SUNROOF AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11206621

WHEELS/ TIRES: NEEDED TO REPLACE TIRES AFTER 10,000 MILES ON NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS ELECTRICAL: VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BLOW/POP FUSES WHEN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE IS PLUGGED INTO THE 12V DC POWER SUPPLY PORT LOCATED UNDER THE RADIO

NHTSA ODI 11173021

I HAD CAR ACCIDENT TODAY AND GOT HI MY LEFT FRONT WND REALLY GOOD AND THE POLICE SEEN MY CAR'S AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF-IT DIDN'T SHOWS UP.MY FACE GOT HITTED BY STEERING WHEEL.I WAS DRIVING ON CITY OF PUYALLUP WASHINGTON RUNNING 25-35MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME TOOK OVER IN FRONT OF ME TO CHANGE LANE TO THE LEFT.IT WAS A BIG IMPACT TO MAKE ME TURNED AND BOUNCED AWAY TO RIGHT SIDE.

NHTSA ODI 11156694

POWER SLIDING DOOR CABLE SNAPPED. IT HAPPENED TO BOTH DOOR (RIGHT AND LEFT) ABOUT 6 MONTHS APART. HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOT NOT EVEN EXCESSIVE USE. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT A DEALERSHIP FOR VEHICLE SERVICE AND THEY FIX IT FOR FREE SINCE IT HAPPENED THERE EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER. THE SECOND TIME WAS OVER THIS WEEKEND AND WHEN I SEARCH ONLINE, MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. POOR QUALITY CABLE (LINKAGE) FOR THE POWERED SLIDING DOOR.

NHTSA ODI 11145293

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER ON THE DRIVER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 11112775