KnownCarProblems2011 Toyota Sienna Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 615 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota Sienna, most often about the air bags (34% of complaints, typically around 63,500 miles). It is 4th of 21 Sienna model years by number of complaints and has 14 recalls.
Most common 2011 Toyota Sienna problems
Air bags
211 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
Takata recall - we're in zone a but can't get any answers as to when our airbag will be replaced. Van is useless and unsafe to drive in its present condition. Where are our consumers' rights and protection? We need this vehicle and can't afford for it to out-of-service indefinitely.
Takata recall. I received notice in late july 2016 about the takata airbag recall for my vehicle. Due to travel, it was a few weeks before I could take it in to the dealer. I was offered a Toyota camry as a replacement vehicle, but I requested from Toyota USA, and received, authorization to rent a minivan through…
Body and structure
154 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. While driving 25 MPH, the driver side sliding door opened while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sliding door motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of…
Our 2011 Sienna had a malfunctioning rear passenger door. Rusted door latches were identified as the problem. How does a three year old vehicle have rusted latches? The repair cost over $1200. The customer service at dielhl Toyota dealership blamed the problem on weather. Wrong parts were initially delivered, the…
Electrical
69 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
Power sliding back doors attempting to open while driving, sticks in partial opening. Fear doors will open and kids will fall out while driving. Multiple complaints online with same problem. Costs are expensive to repair.
2011 Toyota Sienna, front suspension making noises and clicking. Air conditioning not working when car is idling. Rear backing camera does not work only in the night time. . And it has been at the multiple Toyota dealerships and they can. Not figure it out.
Wheels and tires
61 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: temporary/emergency spare tire, pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve, rim.
My Sienna falls under the current recall for unsafe tires for siennas used for towing, but the dealer refuses to provide the extra load tires because my hitch was installed aftermarket. I purchased the vehicle with the towing package, however I was advised by the dealer to get the hitch installed elsewhere to save…
Wheel bolts breaking when tightening by hand. Minivan has only about 30,000 miles, driven mostly in the city in california. Wheel bolt broke when putting wheel back after cleaning brakes. Tightening was done by hand using standard wheel wrench.
Other or unspecified
61 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
For years, my Toyota Sienna has had a beeping noise when I went over a bump, or when it was hot out and I had the windows down or when I put on my brakes. It goes off again when I begin to drive. It said it was the rear lift gate was ajar. When I google it, there are so many people with the same issue. Something is…
I'm contacting you to complain about the interim recall repair performed by Toyota, recall 14v-273. I had the interim repair performed in the summer of 2014 which involved putting the spare tire into the cargo area in the back of the van and securing it with a tie down. I have been unable to fold my seats back into…
Brakes
32 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages, foundation components.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna with 18,600 miles. The contact had the vehicles steering modified because of a handicap. The contact received the recall notice 10v620000, service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the recall performed, he was told that…
After pulling out of the driveway and driving forward less than 100 yds, the vehicle began to pull left and right as if vehicle stability control were taking over. Very shortly after, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop with brakes seemingly applied on their own (power brake assist?). The screen lit up with the…
Transmission
30 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission.
I was driving the vehicle down the interstate and it started to slow down. The engine was still running. However, the transmission was slipping and I could not maintain the posted speed limit. The only way to keep the vehicle moving was to rev the engine up to between 5,000 and 6,000 RPM. Fortunately, I was able to…
I'm owner of Toyota Sienna 2011 5 years 2-nd owner 79k miles and experience whirring noise in rear differential after visiting Toyota dealers without any success accept price tag for replacement rear differential coupler. After that do some research and find the other owners experience that same issue find that tsb…
Engine
29 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
The air conditioner housing is leaking water onto safety-critical parts. This housing is made of plastic parts that are glued together. Water is condensed during the cooling cycle, and it then collects at the bottom and exits the vehicle through a rubber hose. The glue holding the housing together has failed. Water is…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Toyota Sienna recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began february 15, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "zone a" toyota: g0p, lexus: glg; "zone b" toyota: g0r, lexus glh; "zone c" toyota: h0a, and lexus: hla.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 toyota 4runner, 2014-2015 scion xb, lexus is350c, is250c, 2014 toyota sienna, lexus is-f, and 2014-2017 lexus gx460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, lexus is250, is350, 2011-2016 4runner, 2011-2015 scion xb, lexus is350c, is250c, 2011-2014 toyota sienna, lexus is-f, 2011-2017 lexus gx460, and 2011-2012 lexus es350 vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north car
Body and structure: door
Risk: If door opens while the vehicle is moving, there would be an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the junction block, rear sliding door wire harnesses, and install two sub wire harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on july 28, 2017. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is g04.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 toyota sienna minivans manufactured january 4, 2010, to august 12, 2016. If the power sliding door is unable to be opened when commanded, such as if the door is frozen shut, the door may subsequently open unexpectedly, possibly while the vehicle is moving.
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on july 14, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4runner, highlander, sequoia, and sienna, 2005-2010 avalon and tundra, 2006-2008 camry solara, 2006-2010 highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 rav4 and tacoma, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2007-2011 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will contact the pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on december 6, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are g1p (toyota zone a), g1r (toyota zone b), g2g (lexus zone a), and g2h (lexus zone b). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), glg (lexus zone a), and glh (le
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 scion xb and lexus is f, 2009-2011 toyota corolla and corolla matrix, 2006-2011 toyota yaris, lexus is250 and lexus is350, 2010-2011 toyota 4runner, lexus is250c, lexus is350c and lexus gx460, 2011 sienna, 2007-2011 lexus es350, and 2009-2010 pontiac vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 scion xb and lexus is f, 2007-2008 toyota yaris, 2006-2008 lexus is250 and lexus is350 and 2007-2008 lexus es350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, distric
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in january 2015. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 prius and corolla, 2009-2011 venza, 2006-2010 avalon, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2005-2011 sienna and sequoia, 2006-2011 tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, camry, highlander, tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 rav4 and 4runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota sent owners in august 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began july 7, 2015. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Note: 2004-2010 siennas subject to this recall were sub
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.
Equipment: labels
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on may 28, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 toyota tundra, 2010-2012 rav4, 2012 toyota sequoia, 2010-2011 toyota corolla, 2010-2011 toyota camry and camry hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota highlander and highlander hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota fj cruiser, 2011 toyota land cruiser, 2010-2013 toyota venza, 2010-2011 toyota 4runner, 2010-2013 toyota tacoma, 2011-2012 toyota sienna, 2012 toyota prius, 2013 scion fr-s, 2011 scion xd, 2011 scion xb, and 2012 scion tc vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Seats
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on march 21, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 tacoma, 4runner, camry, camry hybrid, prius, and rav4; model year 2009-2010 avalon, fj cruiser, and highlander hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Incorrect information on the vehicle placard may lead to tire overloading and possibly cause tire failure increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and will provide a remedy when it is available. Toyota will mail out a corrected placard to customers along with revised owner manual information. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on june 27, 2013. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2012 sienna vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 110, "tire selections and rims." these vehicles do not meet the requirement for displaying the correct vehicle capacity weight as the rated load for the combination of cargo and occupants.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A damaged a-pillar trim panel retention clip may allow the trim panel to come loose and injure an occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the a-pillar trim panel retention clip and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 30, 2011. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 corolla vehicles equipped with a non-toyota, blue tooth hands free device or navigation unit and certain model year 2011 toyota sienna vehicles equipped with a non-toyota, overhead entertainment system and/or bluetooth hands free device. There is a possibility that the front a-pillar trim panel retention clip may have been damaged during the installation of the aftermarket accessory.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: Should the drive shaft break during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose power without prior warning. Loss of motive power without warning may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will inspect the drive shaft, and, if the drive shaft is identified as one that may not have been correctly manufactured, it will be replaced with a new one at no charge. The safety recall began on june 22, 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 venza and sienna passenger cars manufactured from march 7, through march 10, 2011. There is a possibility that the front, right, drive shaft may break due to insufficient heat treatment.
Brakes: pedals and linkages
Risk: This could result in brake drag with associated brake noise, vibration, and/or illumination of the brake warning light. Braking effectiveness could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the bracket assembly free of charge. Toyota plans to mail an interim owner notification in the middle of january 2011, to advise owners of the recall. A second letter will be mailed when parts are available to complete repairs. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 sienna vehicles. The brake stop lamp switch is mounted on a small bracket welded on the left side of the service brake pedal support assembly. Due to its proximity to the parking brake pedal, in limited circumstances the stop lamp switch bracket could be damaged by the operator's foot during parking brake application.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2011 Toyota Sienna
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Sienna?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (211 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles); body and structure (154 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); electrical (69 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Sienna have?
- 14 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Toyota Sienna?
- It is 4th of 21 Sienna model years by number of complaints, with 615 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.