CarRecallWatchThe 2012 Toyota Sienna has 9 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 247 complaints with NHTSA, including 10 crashes, 4 fires, 13 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (84 reports).
2012 Toyota Sienna recalls
Airbag inflator may explode and send metal fragments at occupants
Frontal airbag inflators in these vehicles were previously replaced under an earlier recall, but the replacement inflators use the same design.
Rear brake hoses may rub and fail, risking loss of braking
Certain 2012-2018 Toyota Sienna-based wheelchair vans converted by Vantage Mobility International may have rear brake hoses that are too short.
Passenger Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The front passenger airbag inflators in these vehicles can degrade over time when exposed to long-term high humidity, high temperature, and temperature cycling.
Passenger airbag may rupture and spray metal fragments
Certain passenger frontal airbag inflators can rupture after years of exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
Power Sliding Door May Open Unexpectedly While Driving
The power sliding door on certain Sienna minivans may fail to open when commanded, such as when the door is frozen shut.
Most common 2012 Toyota Sienna problems
Problem areas named in the 247 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 84 |
| Structure | 73 |
| Unknown Or Other | 28 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Wheels | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Engine | 9 |
What owners report
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 didnât seem very interested in covering the cost of the repairs I made in 2024 and canât get me in until mid August which leaves me without transportation for a month.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sienna. The contact was unable to use the driver's side cargo door. The contact stated that the door was possibly frozen; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the door opened unexpectedly. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 201,235.
Coolant leaking from rear of the engine through the head gasket. Vehicle struggles to accelerate beyond 55mph or 80kmph. A quick search on the internet shows that this is a frequent occurrence in this 3.5L V6 engine from Toyota model years 2011 through 2017.
The battery light came on suddenly and the power steering went out making it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle. An accident was narrowly avoided. We replaced the battery, alternator, and serpentine belt. The problem resolved for over 6 months, then reappeared. It starts with no issue, is charging properly, the serpentine belt is intact. The power steering will come on and go off sporadically, the only warning being the battery indicator on the dash that comes on first. This creates a substantial hazard and risk as the steering is severely impacted with little warning.
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.
2012 Toyota Sienna questions
Does the 2012 Toyota Sienna have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota Sienna: Airbag inflator may explode and send metal fragments at occupants; Rear brake hoses may rub and fail, risking loss of braking; Passenger Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag may rupture and spray metal fragments; Power Sliding Door May Open Unexpectedly While Driving. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Sienna?
Based on 247 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (84), Structure (73), Unknown Or Other (28).
How do I check if a recall on my 2012 Toyota Sienna has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.