Research · Minivan - 2WD

2011 Toyota SiennaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 615 owner complaints for the 2011 Toyota Sienna. Most complaints involve air bags (211) and structure (154). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
14campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
615
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

14 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2019NHTSA 19V005000

Structure: door

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Nov 29, 2016NHTSA 16V858000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

615 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2010 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags211
  2. Structure154
  3. Electrical system69
  4. Wheels37
  5. Tires33
  6. Power train30
  7. Steering24
  8. Engine23
  9. Equipment22

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sienna model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998302
1999217
2000374
2001185
2002207
2003116
20042,062
20051,130
20061,017
2007364
2008429
2009207
2010172
2011615
2012247
2013183
2014164
2015233
201676
2017159
201872
201946
202038
20240
20250
Crashes reported
34
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
36
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

211 reports15 crashes
“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated while driving. The contact stated that the warning light turned off while restarting the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the sliding doors failed to function automatically and required to be opened or closed manually. The contact stated that while attempting to open the front driver's side door in icy and snowy weather, the door made an abnormal cracking sound and failed to open. The contact stated that the passenger's side door made an abnormal cracking sound but opened as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,999.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11715483

Structure

154 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the rear driver's and passenger's power sliding doors failed to latch securely and opened while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure), but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the power sliding door motor, cable, and door lock actuators needed to be replaced. The dealer had to zip-tie the power sliding doors to keep the doors closed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2025Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11649207

Electrical system

69 reports1 crash4 fires
“No accident t door on the rear passenger side will not open I have tried everything and it just will not budge. This is a safety hazard because in the case of an accident or emergency, the door cannot be opened. It will not move manually or automatically.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11762977
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD, Minivan - 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sienna 2WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
Sienna 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
Sienna AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
  • Sienna 2WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sienna 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sienna AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Toyota Sienna VAN AWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota Sienna VAN FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 628Vehicle 461
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Sienna questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Sienna have?

14 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.

What are the most common 2011 Toyota Sienna problems?

Owners filed 615 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (211), structure (154), electrical system (69). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Toyota Sienna get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Sienna at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Toyota Sienna?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Toyota Sienna 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026