2021 Toyota Redundant Sienna Engine Problems

I was driving my Toyota Sienna on a busy 6 lane highway in the second to the left lane, on a bridge. Suddenly without any warning AT ALL, my vehicle lost all power and came to an abrupt halt in the middle of high speed traffic. My wife and children were all in the car and we were in imminent danger of getting hit by another vehicle. It took the police approximately 10 minutes to arrive during which we were in life threatening danger. After the vehicle stopped a message on the dashboard read Hybrid System Failure. The police tried to push our vehicle to a safe spot but the wheels wouldn't turn and the car had to be towed. Upon inspection by the mechanic it appears that there is a broken shaft in the transmission that may have caused this problem. I want to emphasize that there was NO WARNING at all and we did not have a chance to move to safety.

NHTSA ID

11715113

Incident

Jan 27, 2026

I turned on my minivan to drive my kids to school when I heard a sudden loud metal shredding/knocking and shut my van off. All maintenance was performed regularly on the van and no lights were on. I have a hole in my engine block now caused by a thrown rod, and no mechanic can explain why this happened. Oil was in good condition, and nothing indicated this should have happened.

NHTSA ID

11712404

Incident

Jan 13, 2026

sound coming from engine / transmission other issues with the 2 ruber seals on the minivan keep worping out i looked on all the forms everyone is making the same complaint i toook it to toyota they just put tape and its off again they didnt help for a perminent fix back door is miss alined pasanger side sliding door sometimes does not close takes 3-4 atempts pressing the button

NHTSA ID

11675599

Incident

Jul 23, 2025

Turned on my minivan to begin backing out of the driveway when it began violently shaking and exploded. Was not due for an oil change, was not low on oil, passed an engine inspection 5 days prior. 2 holes through engine block caused by either connecting rod or piston

NHTSA ID

11640756

Incident

Sep 24, 2024

I BELIEVE THE COMPUTER CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AS PERSONNEL AT GETTEL TOYOTA IN PUNTA GORDA CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T TOUCH THE COMPUTER AND HAVE DONE NOTHING. Purchased Sienna in August 2021. In October at about 5:30 a.m. we were in the far left lane on a PA interstate, traffic came to a stop for construction. A delivery truck in front of us rolled backward a bit. When traffic started up again, our car would not go forward, only reverse. We tried "drive"--nothing--only had reverse. Finally, with cars whizzing around us, shut the engine off. Upon restarting, all gears were restored and we continued on to Boston. We were shaken by this event. Since then, we have had numerous incidents of the car not moving when I put it (mainly) into reverse. I had to shut the engine off--restart--and it went into gear. Latest incidents--first week February 2024--I pulled into a parking space at Englewood Hospital. After visiting my husband, came out, started the car, put it into reverse--NOTHING. Shut the car off--restarted it, and it was ok. Ten minutes later, I pulled off onto the shoulder to take a call from one of his doctors and--no gears. Shut off the engine, restarted it and it was ok. I'M WORRIED I'LL STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON ONE OF OUR 4 OR 6 LANE STREETS AND GET HIT BECAUSE OUR CAR WON'T GO INTO GEAR.

NHTSA ID

11579932

Incident

Feb 5, 2024

About 25% of the time when I come to a stop and I am breaking, the car surges forward slightly. At first, I thought it was the way I was driving or the fact that it is an EV vehicle, which I had not driven before, but overtime it seems it is just the way the car operates. Others in the car have felt it happen as well as I have come to a stop sign or stoplight. I have not bumped into another car or anything but feel that that could happen if this is not corrected.

NHTSA ID

11578332

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Soon after the malfunctioning hybrid system "pull over immediately warning message displayed. The contact stated while he was driving the vehicle to a nearby parking lot he noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact then parked the vehicle and removed a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old from their car seats. Flames came from the hood area and he grabbed a nearby water hose in an attempt to extinguish the fire and property owners had a fire extinguisher that was also used. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and an investigation was completed where it was mentioned that the origin of the fire was the hybrid component. The results of the investigation were not released to the contact. The vehicle was declared a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,500.

NHTSA ID

11554404

Incident

Oct 17, 2022

Mileage

23,500 mi

I would like to make formal complaint in regards to a manufacture defect. I purchased my Toyota Sienna XSE brand new in August of 2021 at Cerritos Toyota in California. On December 24th at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Christmas eve, after filling up gas at Sam's club in Fountain Valley, CA. I pull out on to the street heading northbound on Warner approaching intersection as I come to complete stop on red. All of a sudden, my Sienna completely shut itself off and the engine light came on. I put it back on park and restart the car. As I attempt to accelerate forward. The car jerk and the brake didn't work and the engine light came on. Fortunately, I was able to make a U turn and pull into a gas station near by ( Shell) and I thank the lord almighty there was no car right behind me. I could of gotten rear ended. It was the most terrifying moment of my life. My wife and I was in the car at the time of the incident. We waited patiently over an hour for Triple AAA to have it tow the nearest dealership next to my house in Long Beach, CA. My 2021 Toyota Sienna currently has 52,023 miles and sitting at the dealership to be repair at Long Beach West Coast Toyota. I have contacted Toyota of this incident and they refused to fully covered repair instead they offered me 700 payment assistant the rest would come out of my pockets. I believed the car should be part of the campaign recall and nothing should come out my expense. I would like you you guys to investigate the incident and look into this matter as soon as possible because there thousands like my mind that could there have the same issue but was not part the campaign recall. A bulletin was published on April 13, 2022 affecting 2021 -2022 Toyota Sienna. Production Period March 3rd, 2020 through April 7th 2022. Manufacture's Campaign Number: Toyota: 22TB03

NHTSA ID

11500540

Incident

Dec 24, 2022