NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. Most complaints involve air bags (13) and service brakes (8). The EPA rates it 35–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Sienna Hybrid vehicles. The bolts for the seatbacks on the third-row seat assemblies may not be tightened properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints," 207, "Seating Systems," and 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“SRS light has been showing up on the dashboard, off and on for 3 weeks. Diagnostic reader completed by the dealership states it is an airbag module malfunction of the 2nd row left passenger seat. The seat has never been removed, there have been zero accidents and no damage to the seat or wiring.”
“This is a supplemental correction to my NHTSA complaint #XXX (2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, VIN [XXX]). The description of the brake defect itself is unchanged; I am correcting the service-history details. First dealer visit: the correct date is XXX, at approximately 41,192 miles, Repair Order #XXX, at Checkered Flag Toyota of [XXX]. I reported that when braking downhill, the vehicle seemed to speed up rather than slow down, as if something were pushing it forward. The service record states "No Work Performed – Customer Requested Return of Vehicle." No diagnosis or corrective action for the braking concern is documented. Second dealer visit: the visit spanned XXX, at approximately 55,637 miles, Repair Order #XXX, at the same dealership. I reported the vehicle lurching forward when attempting to stop and engine RPM increasing when the vehicle should have been slowing down. The technician's notes indicate the technician felt a small lurch when braking and noted an RPM abnormality — the concern was partially reproduced, not entirely unreproducible as my original complaint stated. The dealer reprogrammed the Brake ECU under Toyota TSB T-SB-0047-24. The problem…”
“The rear power liftgate hinges on my 2021 Toyota Sienna failed structurally under normal, everyday operation. The power liftgate motor and struts appear to exert uneven or excessive pressure on the rear hatch assembly, causing the metal hinges to crack. Before the failure, we noticed a loud popping/grinding sound when opening the hatch, which quickly progressed to the liftgate binding and misaligning. This is a severe safety hazard because the structural failure prevents the heavy rear hatch from closing or latching securely, creating a risk that it could fly open while driving, dropping cargo onto the roadway or exposing passengers. It also creates a risk of the heavy door falling unexpectedly on someone loading the vehicle. The vehicle had to be taken to a dealership body shop for structural repairs due to the cracked metal, costing me over $1,500 out of pocket. Toyota has not issued a recall or good faith reimbursment for this known design defect.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sienna Hybrid 2WD Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 36 | 36 | 36 | $1,750 | 246 |
| Sienna Hybrid AWD Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 35 | 36 | 35 | $1,800 | 253 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (13), service brakes (8), structure (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid at 35–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.