2021 Toyota Redundant Sienna Airbags Problems

This complaint is submitted to supplement and clarify a prior NHTSA submission regarding Safety Recall 23TA15 for VIN [XXX] . The prior submission was brief and did not fully capture the timeline and circumstances described below. I purchased a 2021 Toyota Sienna (VIN [XXX] ) from Avondale Toyota on [XXX]. At the time of purchase, I was not informed of any active or pending safety recall affecting the vehicle. After returning from Arizona to San Diego with my family, I attempted to list the vehicle on a rental platform on December 26, 2026. At that time, the platform flagged the VIN as having an active safety recall (Safety Recall 23TA15) and prevented the listing. This was the first time I became aware that the vehicle was subject to a safety recall. Despite multiple attempts to obtain clarification from Toyota Brand Engagement regarding the VIN-specific recall activation date, Toyota declined or failed to provide written confirmation. Whether the recall was active prior to the sale or applied shortly thereafter, the vehicle was placed into use without proper disclosure, warning, remedy, or guidance. As a result, my family and I unknowingly operated the vehicle, including interstate travel from Arizona to San Diego, without awareness of a potential safety risk. Had appropriate disclosure or timely notification been provided, I would not have used the vehicle or exposed my family to potential harm. In addition, the recall rendered the vehicle unavailable for its intended business use, resulting in loss of use and financial impact while the remedy was unavailable. I am submitting this supplemental complaint to ensure the full timeline, safety exposure, and lack of disclosure related to Safety Recall 23TA15 are accurately documented. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11715699

Incident

Dec 24, 2025

Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – Recall 23TA15 | VIN [XXX] Hello, I am submitting a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding Safety Recall 23TA15 for my 2021 Toyota Sienna (VIN [XXX] ). Please find my detailed complaint and supporting documentation attached. This matter involves lack of disclosure and/or delayed notification of a safety recall, resulting in family safety exposure and loss of use. Thank you for your review and assistance. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11715682

Incident

Dec 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag sensor turned off and failed to function as intended. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The manufacturer advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11695405

Incident

Oct 24, 2023

Mileage

30,000 mi

It has been 22 months since the recall (NHTSA Number 23V865) and over a year since the expected remedy date. What is the status update? What is causing the delay?

NHTSA ID

11687887

Incident

Sep 17, 2025

I purchased a 2021 Toyota Sienna (VIN: [XXX] ) from an authorized Toyota dealer in June 2024. At the time of sale, I was assured that the open safety recall (23TA15) would be repaired soon. More than a year later, no remedy has been offered, leaving me and my family driving an unsafe vehicle. Toyota’s own phase schedule indicates repairs should already be available in Washington State, yet I have been repeatedly told no repair exists. This has caused serious safety concerns, financial hardship, and loss of trust. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11681746

Incident

Jun 4, 2024

It has been almost 2 years and a remedy is not yet available?? I don’t feel safe in this car without this being fixed!

NHTSA ID

11676761

Incident

Dec 25, 2023

Toyota has been aware of an occupant classification sensor defect since at least December 2023. Their automated systems state the remedy should be available by 2024 Q3. And yet we were in Feb 2025 and no remedy is available. I don’t think they intend to fix this at all, leaving me with a car that is not safe to use the passenger seat.

NHTSA ID

11642869

Incident

Feb 15, 2025

Recall 23TB15 was issued on Dec. 20, 2023. The remedy was supposed to be out by the 3Q24. I just called dealer service, and there is still not a remedy out. I am driving a car without knowing if the front passenger seat airbag would deploy in an accident. This is unacceptable to go this long with no corrective action plan yet issued. Can you take any action to get the manufacturer to correct this defect?

NHTSA ID

11641188

Incident

Feb 6, 2025

Our SRS airbag warning notification went on suddenly for no reason we could ascertain, and we're having to get it repaired outside warranty. The van has around 80,000 miles on it, but is only 3 years old.

NHTSA ID

11631583

Incident

Dec 3, 2024

At the begining of 2024, I received a recall letter from Toyota regarding the airbag malfunction. I was told to wait for a remedy by Q3 of 2024. I patiently waited and was very anxious driving my vehicle. I recently did talk to my local dealer during my maintenance and they stated that they do not have any information regarding that and that I should call Toyota. I tried calling Toyota and was instructed to wait as they still have not got a remedy and that if I was getting in any accidents Toyota will be fully responsible. I bought the car to drive for my safety an this is the level of safety that I am getting. Thus I am here looking for help on how I can get this matter resolved as driving knowing that airbag has failed on the passenger side is very unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11619652

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

My 2021 Toyota Sienna has had an open and unrepaired recall for airbags failing to deploy since the beginning of the year. I been unable to use my vehicle because of this. They have pushed approximate date of the fix being available into next year which is unacceptable. A safety concern like this should be dealt with promptly.

NHTSA ID

11617592

Incident

Jan 9, 2020

When stop at the stop sign and step in the brake... the car momentary accelerates by its self. Its very dangerous. Pls fix the problems Toyota.

NHTSA ID

11614977

Incident

Jan 28, 2024

There is a recall on the passenger side airbag sensor of this vehicle. The time it is taking to get it fixed is UNACCEPTABLE. Toyota makes new vehicles with working components. They care more about money than lives. Since the recall includes the air bag, people will die before this gets fixed. Toyota's solution is to tell us to not use the front passenger seat. That is ridiculous; this is a family vehicle and all seats are needed. We have contacted Toyota twice in which we have been advised to rent a car - for 2 years - and we will "probably" be reimbursed - after the recall is all fixed. We do not have the space for another car or the desire to put that much money up front into a rental car. We could sell the van and buy a newer one but would lose a lot of money in doing so, nor could we in good conscience sell this vehicle to anyone else. In our latest conversation with Toyota, we were told that the first customers to have access to the recall fix would be this September, but since we live in Utah, it would not be available to us until 2026! What? That is DISCRIMINATION. If the fix is available, it should be given to all who need it. I can't believe how Toyota is treating their customers, especially when the recall can be life-threatening.

NHTSA ID

11604570

Incident

Dec 20, 2023

This recall has been open for 7 months and a remedy has still not been issued - this doesn’t seem reasonable for a safety concern. I have also several times experienced a failure in the “extra” 8th passenger seat (middle row middle seat) sensor - it alarms that the seat belt isn’t buckled even when that seat is not in use and not even installed at the time.

NHTSA ID

11603010

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the remedy to repair the recall was not available. The contact stated while driving from a stop light, another vehicle crashed into the driver’s front side door. The contact mentioned the other driver failed to stop at the red light which caused the crash. The air bags in the vehicle failed to deploy. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Air Bag System malfunctioned and the air bag light was illuminated. The contact sustained a neck injury and hit her head. The front passenger sustained back inquires and both required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11571905

Incident

Feb 2, 2024

Mileage

98,000 mi

Keep in mind: BRAND NEW SIENNA!!! 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -The main and MOST important component was the ENTIRE airbag system which displayed "malfunctioned" ONLY AFTER the collision. The TPCS (Toyota Pre-Collision System) also was defaulted to "OFF" and said that the sonar malfunctioned. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -VERY COMPROMISED! My whole family and my children would've been seriously injured or departed from this world had we not had the seat belt on and the way it all played out! All of the airbags, including the driver's knee airbag, passenger seat cushion airbag, front seat side airbags, rear outboard seat side airbags, and curtain side airbags for all three rows , malfunctioned and car was in a standstill on the fastest left lane #1 on I-95 with no cushioning or failsafe mechanism active 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -NO, and Toyota was very quick and desperate to get their hands on my vehicle and to get me to sign their authorization instead of wait. As a computer scientist, I know when information systems can be exploited/manipulated and all my driving data and accident/metadata is collected constantly by Toyota so in short: "NO TRANSPARENCY" 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -YES, two very biased partisans involve: The liable party's insurance (AllState) and Toyota Motor Co. So I need some nonpartisan assessment/evaluation ASAP 5. Any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -Nope! NO warning lamps, NO vehicle health messages, NO Toyota App notification PRIOR to the accident. Everything mentioned in the last sentence went haywire EXACTLY AFTER the collision and displayed lamps/played warning alarms non stop. Refer to uploaded files.

NHTSA ID

11438718

Incident

Sep 10, 2021