What 62 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 3rd row seats in the Sienna do not stay stowed as there is no lock. This creates a very dangerous situation when braking. I just got this car a few days ago and already have issues. When I brake or go over bumps, the stowed 3rd row seat pops up a little. That's okay, until you brake. In one instance, I had to brake harder than usual during a traffic incident in front of me, and the 3rd row seats flew forward (up and out of the stowed position) and slammed into the 2nd row seats. It was loud and scary. My child was sitting in the 3rd row (split 3rd row so only one side was stowed) and the seat flying up and forward almost broke her leg as she was sitting with one leg out to the side. We even had items on top of the seat to keep the 3rd row from bouncing and popping up, but that is not a safe solution either. This is an issue reported for recent years on Toyota forums. I called Toyota to report it. I have read the owner's manual to make sure I am stowing the seats correctly. Any animals or children near a stowed 3rd row seat could be seriously injured.

NHTSA ODI 11539331

In a couple of instances the latch mechanism in 2 different seats became loose during trip. In one ocassion there was an alarm while in the second ocassion we realized when removing the car seat of an infant.

NHTSA ODI 11538856

The car was not unlocking using the keyfob, it was required to log into the phone app in order to unlock a reconfigure the key. There was no sign of trouble, it would seem as if the vehicle had lost connection with the key fob.

NHTSA ODI 11538859

The sienna does not have a rear view camera when the entertainment system is in use. The TV blocks the mirror for the driver making it very unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11533368

2 month after buying the car, in Jan i turned the car on and the windshield wipers didn't work. It was a snowy day and the salt and snow made it dangerous to drive. Before i had a chance to bring it to the dealer, after about 2 hours, the wipers started working. This happened again in April, i was driving on the highway and it was raining intermittently. . I was using the wipers, and suddenly they wouldn't turn on. I pulled into the first rest stop and forced the wipers up by hand and than it started working.

NHTSA ODI 11529363

While driving slowly into a parking slot, the brakes released and the vehicle surged over a parking block and into a sign. On a couple of time previously, I have encountered similar situations but never when parking at slow speed.

NHTSA ODI 11528287

We had a "hybrid system malfunction" warning on the dashboard and the van slowed down to 20 mph on a climb. With the flow of traffic at 50mph on a two lane road and no shoulder to pull off, this cause a serious risk to us and other drivers. Stopping and starting the car several times did not cause the warning to go away and the owner's manual says to stop driving. There were no warning lights prior to this happening. The warning and the MIL came on at the same time as the van started slowing. The local dealer now has the van and are not able to exactly diagnose the problem. They are contacting the manufacturer. They said the warning is no longer on.

NHTSA ODI 11523323

There is a problem with the lighting in the information dial. The handbook even says the gauges may be hard to read in daylight if any lights are on. The daylight driving lights are always on. This is even worst when headlights are on. Many states like Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California have roads where headlights are required at all hours. There is also much sunlight. The gauge is virtually impossible to read. This includes the tachometer, fuel gauges, engine alerts, low tire pressure, etc. I feel this can cause unsafe conditions by not being able to access the data or drivers having to lower their head trying to read the info. With todays LED technology why would they not put a usable lighting system on the gauges. It makes no sense at all. This was a design and manufacturing defect and should be corrected. It does have a brightness control switch but the above is while on maximum brightness setting.

NHTSA ODI 11521894

The entertainment screen is completely blocking the rear view when in use which is very dangerous when backing out. Also, I can’t see ambulances, fire trucks, police, etc. are coming behind me to pull over. This is a very serious safety issues for driver. Toyota said that I need to close the screen when this happens but it’s more dangerous for the driver to turn around to close the screen while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11518811

We recently got a Sienna 2023, 25 anniversary, and added the multimedia package. Once received the car we notice that the usage of this rear entertainment blocked the vision through the rear view mirror becoming a major safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11506822

No system is failed in our sienna. Only safety problem we have is the rear view mirror completely block off when kid use the entertainment system. When I talk to the deanship, they told me they can't add any rear view camera due to the electrical harness problem. Not sure if anything can be done, please let me know what you guys think.

NHTSA ODI 11503015

Driving along a rural road under 40 mph at 11:30 at night with no other traffic present. There was a slight transition in pavement from a possible small culvert replacement. The defrost was on high and it was 22 degrees outside. The windshield cracked just above the defrost vent.

NHTSA ODI 11498384