KnownCarProblems2012 Toyota Sienna Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 247 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Sienna, most often about the air bags (34% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is 8th of 21 Sienna model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2012 Toyota Sienna problems
Air bags
84 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
Takata recall - this is a modified vehicle with a wheelchair ramp. There is no way to sit anywhere but in the front seats. Passenger side airbag is affected and to date there is no remedy for the airbag. This is a dangerous situation in using this vehicle - when can remedy be available?
Brought car in for airbag safety recall. Was told it was completed. After this received another recall mailing for the same problem. Called the Toyota recall resolution team number to verify. Was told that a temporary airbag was installed and that I needed to have the good one reinstalled when they got them in. She…
Body and structure
72 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Takata recall 'received notice for NHTSA campaigns: 17v006 (air bags) & 16v858 (structure) for our family vehicle. We have 4 small kids that require car seats so it is not feasible for the front passenger seat to not be used. Per notice, I called Toyota and visited a local dealership in february 2017 to discuss the…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sienna. While the vehicle was parked, the driver side middle sliding door independently opened without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v006000 (air bags) and 16v858000 (structure); however, the parts…
Other or unspecified
28 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
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…
The upper hinge on the fuel filler door broke which ultimately will cause the fuel filler door to not close properly or to break completely off. This is the second time this exact failure has occurred. The previous failure was two years ago. This failure happened over two to three years and was noticed when the filler…
Electrical
27 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, instrument panel.
2012 Sienna limited electrical issues I have a 2012 Toyota Sienna limited with every option except AWD. On february 4, 2015, after driving for about 25 minutes, when I stopped and turned off the engine, the van completely died! I wanted to start again, but there was no power at all; nothing would function, door locks…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sienna. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear driver side sliding door suddenly opened. While attempting to shut the door, the door could not be secured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cause of the failure was due to a faulty door motor and faulty door…
Wheels and tires
19 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, sidewall.
Toyota Sienna goes through tires at a rate 1.5-two times as fast as the tire manufacturers expected mile warranty. Michelin primacy mxv4 (not a cheap tire) had a little over 40k miles before they needed to be replaced. Replaced with continental true contact (90,000 mile tire) and I have driven about 45k miles on them…
The tires wear out too quickly. Two years ago I bought 70000 mile tires and after less the 30000 miles all four tires were worn down on the outside edge. The alignment was checked at the dealer every 10000 miles and the tires were rotated. This is a safety issue because the tires get excessively worn before they are…
Transmission
17 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
Unit is producing a speed dependent whine from the rear differential consistent with a bearing failure in the viscous coupler. Issue first observed with approximately 98,000 miles on odometer. This appears to be a common component failure on many Toyota AWD vehicles manufactured in the last 15-20 years, and the…
My 2012 Toyota Sienna recently began making a loud whining noise from the rear axle area. Upon inspection, we were informed that the differential unit was failing and needed to be replaced. This would cost US between $2,500-$3,000. After some research, I discovered that this is a common problem with the Sienna, likely…
Steering
15 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
We have 54k miles on our van and heard a knocking noise when we would make a turn (right or left). I brought to dealership and they said we needed to replace the intermediate steering shaft. The cost was $750. I looked online and see previous recalls for Toyota for this same problem. I also searched and found several…
The vehicle made thumping / popping noise when turning steering - mostly turning left, but not exclusive to left turns. The sound was recognizable more during lower speeds, and less noticeable at higher speeds. This went on for a couple of months, and fearing safety issues and loss of steering, I got it fixed at the…
Speed control
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles.
While driving on an expressway with steep grades, with the cruise control set, the speed on steep downgrades would increase by up to 5 MPH above the speed set on the cruise control. In other vehicles I have driven in recent years, I do not recall the speed variation exceeding 3 MPH from the cruise control setting.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle abnormally accelerated while the brakes were applied. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised that there was no failure found within the vehicle. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told there would be no further…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began december 16, 2019. Owners may contact vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Full defect summary
Vantage mobility international, llc (vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 ams genesis wheelchair vans, built on a toyota sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.
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
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, scion 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 february 1, 2017. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are g0p (toyota zone a), g0r (toyota zone b), h0a (toyota zone c), glg (lexus zone a), glh (lexus zone b) and hla (lexus zone c).
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2012 toyota 4runner, corolla, corolla matrix, sienna, yaris, scion xb, lexus es350, gx460, is-f, is250, is350, is250c, is350c, and lexus lfa 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 2009 toyota corolla, corolla matrix, yaris, yaris hb, scion xb, pontiac vibe, lexus, es350, is250, is350, and is-f vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsy
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.
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: electrical
Risk: If this condition occurs, antilock braking and stability control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Drivers should receive dashboard warning lights warning them of a malfunction.
Fix: Gulf states toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the remote engine starter with a new one free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about june 4, 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-444-1074.
Full defect summary
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 4runner and sienna vehicles, equipped with non-original equipment remote engine starters. A malfunction in the audiovox electronics brand remote engine starter module can prevent normal communication of the vehicleâs controller area network (can).
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.
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 2012 Toyota Sienna
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Sienna?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (84 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); body and structure (72 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); other or unspecified (28 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Sienna have?
- 9 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 2012 a bad year for the Toyota Sienna?
- It is 8th of 21 Sienna model years by number of complaints, with 247 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.