Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Toyota Sienna problems
Owners filed 615 complaints about the 2011 Toyota Sienna with NHTSA between May 2010 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (211).
Complaints
615
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
34
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
36
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags211
- Structure154
- Electrical system69
- Wheels37
- Tires33
- Power train30
- Steering24
- Engine23
- Equipment22
- Vehicle speed control20
- Latches/locks/linkages18
- Service brakes18
- Service brakes, hydraulic13
- Visibility13
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
20
48
30
38
35
41
99
178
33
35
17
8
9
4
5
6
9
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 48 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2014 | 35 |
| 2015 | 41 |
| 2016 | 99 |
| 2017 | 178 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
211 reports15 crashes4 related recalls
“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.”
Structure
154 reports3 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“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.”
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.”
Wheels
37 reports
“Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~204,800 Incident Date: [XXX] Recent Service: Oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, and multipoint inspection performed on November 10, 2025 at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg (Maryland). Description of the Defect: On [XXX] while driving with my child in the vehicle, my 2011 Toyota Sienna experienced a sudden and dangerous failure. A strong burning smell entered the cabin, the ABS warning light illuminated, and then wheels locked up while the vehicle was in motion. At the same time, the steering wheel locked, making the vehicle impossible to steer. The engine immediately lost power and shut down in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed. This failure occurred four days after dealership service at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg, which included an oil change, tire rotation, and brake inspection. The dealership initially claimed the failure was due to a “dead battery,” and the following day changed the explanation to a “shorted alternator.” A weak battery or alternator failure does not explain a mechanical wheel lock or steering wheel lock while driving. The dealership…”
Tires
33 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the rear driver's side sliding door had failed to close or latch securely while closing the door manually or while using the power door switch button. The vehicle was taken to C&C Auto, where the door motor and belt were replaced, and other unknown repairs were performed. The door was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear passenger's side sliding door had failed to open and close as needed. The contact stated that the door was currently closed and would not open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure); because the VIN was not included in the recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the TPMS had failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.”
Power train
30 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“Catalizador caUsando bajas emisiones, consecuencia encendido de codigos de luz de advertencia de tablero como luz indicadora de falla (Check Engine). LUZ DE ADVERTENCIA ABS. LUZ INDICADORA DE DERRAPE VSC-TRAC Y LUZ DE ADVERTENCIA DE PRESION DE NEUMATICOS. AL VIAJAR POR CARRETERA SIMPLEMENTE SE APAGO Y SIN PODER TENER CONTROL DE LA MISMA DICHA FALLA CAUSO QUE YA NO ENCENDIERA AL TENER QUE SOLICITAR GRUA PARA EL ARRARSTRE DE LA UNIDAD HASTA LA AGENCIA DE TOYOTA EN CORDOBA VERACRUZ. SEGURO SOLO INTERVINO CON EL ARRASTRE DE LA UNIDAD. PERO LA SIENNA A LLEVADO HASTA EL DIA DE HOY Y FECHA PRESENTE TODOS LOS SERVICIOS DE AGENCIA POR LA CUAL SE LLEVO DE INMEDIATO, PERO CON LA NOVEDAD ES QUE NI LA MISMA AGENCIA LE A PODIDO QUITAR LA FALLA. NO TIENEN NI LA MENOR IDEA DE LA CAUSA. SU SOLUCION SEGUEN ELLOS ERAN LOS INYECTORES PERO LA CAMIONETA VOLIVIO A HACER LA MISMA FALLA Y LA AGENCIA NO DA GARANTIA DE SU MANO DE OBRA. SOLO AUMENTA EL GASTO EN REFACCIONES SIN SOLUCIONAR LA FALLA.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.