2021 Toyota Redundant Sienna Seat belts Problems

I purchased a 2021 Toyota Sienna from United Access Mobility in Sacramento. The vehicle was sold and delivered with multiple serious pre-existing safety defects. The exhaust system was unsafe. The catalytic converter had been stolen prior to sale and replaced with a non-OEM catalytic converter that was improperly welded and mounted too low. This caused exhaust leaks, loud exhaust noise, poor acceleration, and safety concerns including potential exhaust exposure. Multiple professional repair facilities confirmed the exhaust system defect. The electrical system was defective. The vehicle was sold with the wrong size battery that was not properly secured. This caused electrical instability, warning lights, and vehicle failure. The battery was not adequately supporting the vehicle’s electrical system. The airbag and restraint system showed warnings caused by third-party wiring, indicating potential airbag or seatbelt malfunction. The fuel system was defective. The gas cap was broken and required tools to refuel the vehicle. Structural and body components were unsafe. A bumper bracket was loose and flapped while driving, and the passenger seat was unstable. Accessibility systems were also defective, including lift and door malfunctions affecting safe operation. United Access was notified immediately but did not correct these safety defects. Instead, they attempted to have the vehicle repaired using an extended warranty for pre-existing conditions. The vehicle was not safe to operate at the time of sale.

NHTSA ID

11711719

Incident

Jul 29, 2024

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

2 issues to report 1) when under medium consistent breaking(slowing down for a light) there are instances where the breaks feel like they let up or slipping. This issue has been reported and with the car since the first year of ownership but Toyota says it’s all within spec 2) second issue is an issue with the rear captions seatbelt and has also been reported since 2022 where upon normal driving the seatbelt locks up and the car has to be stopped and seatbelt unbuckled to release tension. Also brought up multiple times with Toyota and no action. Kids sometime unbuckling while car is driving since they cannot move

NHTSA ID

11588342

Incident

May 12, 2024

Recall: OCS Sensors May Short Circuit; 3TB15/23TA15 ; I am a owner of 2021 Sienna Hybrid (VIN [XXX] ) and was getting alert for the airbag and seat belt warning even when plugged in. I took it to a dealer in Sunnyvale California (Stevens Creek Toyota; 4202 Stevens Creek Blvd San Jose, CA 95129; 408-984-8833) and they are not recognizing the recall. I was charged a diagnostics fee of $ 899.93 and am being asked to pay $ 2000 to replace the car seat to fix the issues. Your advise is solicited. Best regards. Thanks -- [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11570280

Incident

Feb 4, 2024

My young daughter got the seatbelt caught around her waist. The seatbelt was unable to give any slack and was locked up. It could retract a little bit but that would only squeeze around my daughter’s waist tighter. The seatbelt would not pull forward. We eventually had to cut the seatbelt to release her. It caused red marks around her waist and had we tried to retract it any further could have suffocated her. We took the van to the dealer to replace the seatbelt and they had said they heard of this happening before but it wasn’t a malfunction but just a weird design quirk. This incident has not been investigated.

NHTSA ID

11541028

Incident

Aug 9, 2023

Hi, i complained many time about seat belt sign of front passenger side and rear passenger right side. while driving expect me no one in the car but still i get seat belt sign.

NHTSA ID

11501108

Incident

Sep 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2021Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while her son was occupying the passenger side in the third-row seat, the seat belt locked and failed to release. The occupant was unable to get out of the seat belt. The occupant sustained marks on his stomach but no medical attention was provided. The contact had to cut the seat belt to release the child from the seat. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000. Consumer's son sustained injuries from a faulty seat belt in 2021 Toyota Sienna van. Manufacture refuses to fix the cut belt. The contact has mailed Toyota Corporate Office as well but with no reponse.

NHTSA ID

11464377

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

Mileage

13,000 mi

The driver-side second-row seatbelt goes slack for no reason while driving. All tension is released, and the loose belt falls forward. This is a serious safety issue for the child riding in that seat with no working seatbelt. This has happened about a dozen times on various days while driving. The dealer first denied there was a problem, then they claimed they fixed it. But it is still happening.

NHTSA ID

11451325

Incident

Feb 8, 2022