Problems · by component

2011 Toyota Sienna power train problems

30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota Sienna cite power train, 5% of all 615 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
30
5% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2025Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11695158
“rear differential has very scary noise while driving, mechanic identified that we have to replace the rear differential which might cost $2500 to $3000 the same problem do exist on RAV4 and it's under recalls, while many people have the same problem for the same year like mine 2011 Toyota sienna AWD and other years to 2018 . This issue is the manufacture responsibility not the owner of the car as wear and tear items " my van has about 126,000 miles on it. Please a recall should be issued it is across for many people”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2021Power trainODI 11428242
“Loud Noise from the rear end, diagnosed to be a viscous coupler bearing malfunction by my mechanic. Total cost of repair is 2428 Dollars. In doing my research into this matter, this is a very common issue with my model Sienna. It is also common with same year Rav4 which a TSB was issued and covered by Toyota T-SB-0080-13. To cite a transmission mechanics who have experiences with the Rav4/Sienna rear differential issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1vg2sbYL68 I hope you can help, this is a very large cost which is almost the price of the car in total. My family needs this car as we do not live in a city with very little public transportation available to us for utilize. The price of the repair will be a hardship on our family. I hope you can convince Toyota to step up and stand behind their product, to a very well known issue. Thank you for all you do.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2021Power trainODI 11419438
“I WAS DRIVING FROM TORONTO TO VIRGINIA ON 23 DEC 2020 AND REFILLED GAS IN SPRINGFIELD NY WALMART GAS STATION TO REFILL THE GAS. WHEN I ENTERED BEDFORD PA TURNPIKE, THE CAR SOUNDED WITH DIFFERENT SOUNDS FROM ENGINE ON THE RAMP WHEN ENTERING THE 70/76 FREEWAY. WHEN ENTERED TO VIRGINIA FROM MARYLAND BORDER AFTER POTOMAC RIVER CROSSING ON HIGHWAY 15 , THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SLOWLY AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT STARTED NORMAL AND DROVE TILL CHANTILLY VIRGINIA WITHOUT ANY STOPPING. BUT THE ENGINE GAVE ME DIFFERENT NOISES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2020Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11384962
“WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE MAKES LOUD HUMMING NOISE. STOPS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS. I WAS TOLD IT IS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FAULTY PART. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING INVESTIGATED? $2000 REPAIR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2019Power trainODI 11289579
“BEGAN HEARING A LOUD WHIRRING SOUND FROM REAR OF CAR WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION. GOT LOUDER OVER TIME. OUR REGULAR MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE NOISE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FINALLY DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED ELECTROMAGNETIC REAR COUPLER. SUGGESTED WE NOT USE 'CHEAP TIRES.' WE NEVER HAVE. WE ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THREE SETS OF THE RECOMMENDED 'RUN FLAT' TIRES IN UNDER 75,000 MILES. AS YOU KNOW, THESE ARE NOT CHEAP TIRES TO REPLACE. COST TO REPLACE COUPLER IS INCREDIBLY HIGH - SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AS A GOOGLE SEARCH AND DISCUSSIONS ON TOYOTA CHAT SITES TELL ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2019Power trainODI 11265848

Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jun 1, 2011NHTSA 11V306000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

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