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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2012 Toyota SiennaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 247 owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Sienna. Most complaints involve air bags (84) and structure (72). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
247
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 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

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jul 25, 2019NHTSA 19V553000

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
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

247 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2012 – Jul 2026
  1. Air bags84
  2. Structure72
  3. Electrical system27
  4. Power train17
  5. Steering15
  6. Wheels12
  7. Service brakes11
  8. Vehicle speed control11
  9. Engine9

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
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

84 reports4 crashes
“I was at a full stopped and rear Ended at 30 miles an hour and the air bags did not deploy and I am suffering many injuries pain and loss The air bags didn’t deploy at all”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2022Air bags, Unknown or other, Back over preventionCrash reportedODI 11499500

Structure

72 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The automatic side doors of this Toyota sienna le have malfunctioned twice between expensive repairs. When the hardware comes off the guide rail, it hits the window behind the door and shatters in covering the interior and occupants with glass. I had the window repaired after I had the door hardware replaced after its first failure in spring of 2024. The door gave no indication it was failed until I noticed the window bulging and nearly broke again. The Toyota dealer didn’t seem very interested in covering the cost of the repairs I made in 2024 and can’t get me in until mid August which leaves me without transportation for a month.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026StructureODI 11750350

Electrical system

27 reports2 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Sienna. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 48,230. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 241,080.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2025Electrical systemODI 11686996
All 2012 Sienna problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 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 3, 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$3,050423
Sienna 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Sienna AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
  • Sienna 2WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sienna 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sienna AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota Sienna VAN FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 6568Vehicle 6280
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

2012 Sienna questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Sienna have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2012 Toyota Sienna problems?

Owners filed 247 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (84), structure (72), electrical system (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Toyota Sienna get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Sienna at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Toyota Sienna?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Toyota Sienna 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026