2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

This is a supplemental correction to my NHTSA complaint #XXX (2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, VIN [XXX]). The description of the brake defect itself is unchanged; I am correcting the service-history details. First dealer visit: the correct date is XXX, at approximately 41,192 miles, Repair Order #XXX, at Checkered Flag Toyota of [XXX]. I reported that when braking downhill, the vehicle seemed to speed up rather than slow down, as if something were pushing it forward. The service record states "No Work Performed – Customer Requested Return of Vehicle." No diagnosis or corrective action for the braking concern is documented. Second dealer visit: the visit spanned XXX, at approximately 55,637 miles, Repair Order #XXX, at the same dealership. I reported the vehicle lurching forward when attempting to stop and engine RPM increasing when the vehicle should have been slowing down. The technician's notes indicate the technician felt a small lurch when braking and noted an RPM abnormality — the concern was partially reproduced, not entirely unreproducible as my original complaint stated. The dealer reprogrammed the Brake ECU under Toyota TSB T-SB-0047-24. The problem returned a few months later and has continued intermittently since. I request that this correction be attached to complaint #11770036. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11770245

Incident

Oct 7, 2026

I purchased my 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid new in March 2021. For several years I have had an intermittent braking problem: when I apply the brakes, especially while slowing down or driving downhill, the vehicle sometimes lurches or feels like it suddenly accelerates forward instead of slowing. I must press the brake pedal again to stop. This happens without warning and is frightening, especially with my children in the car. I first reported this to a Toyota dealer on 10/10/2023 at about 41,192 miles, and again on 7/11/2024 at about 55,637 miles. On the second visit the dealer reprogrammed the Brake ECU under TSB T-SB-0047-24. The technician could not reproduce my exact concern but said the bulletin described a similar condition. The problem has returned despite the update. Online owner forums show other Sienna owners with very similar braking complaints; some paid for repairs themselves, others sold their vehicles over safety concerns. I have seen claims that too few complaints have been filed to trigger a recall, though I cannot verify that. What concerns me is that Toyota issued a TSB for a similar condition, yet the problem persists. I have owned this vehicle since new and reported the problem multiple times. I have dealer service records from both 2023 and 2024. I ask NHTSA to investigate whether this is a widespread safety defect and whether a recall is needed before someone is seriously hurt.

NHTSA ID

11770036

Incident

Oct 7, 2026

The front passenger door lock actuator does not work properly causing the door to stay locked or unlocked despite attempts to change the door lock through the internal power locking system or remote key. This presents a safety issue in that it requires a manual lock/unlocking of the door should an emergency situation arise and expeditious ingress or egress from the vehicle be required. The door actuator is presently working intermittently and appears likely to fail permanently in the near future.

NHTSA ID

11764560

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

The rear power liftgate hinges on my 2021 Toyota Sienna failed structurally under normal, everyday operation. The power liftgate motor and struts appear to exert uneven or excessive pressure on the rear hatch assembly, causing the metal hinges to crack. Before the failure, we noticed a loud popping/grinding sound when opening the hatch, which quickly progressed to the liftgate binding and misaligning. This is a severe safety hazard because the structural failure prevents the heavy rear hatch from closing or latching securely, creating a risk that it could fly open while driving, dropping cargo onto the roadway or exposing passengers. It also creates a risk of the heavy door falling unexpectedly on someone loading the vehicle. The vehicle had to be taken to a dealership body shop for structural repairs due to the cracked metal, costing me over $1,500 out of pocket. Toyota has not issued a recall or good faith reimbursment for this known design defect.

NHTSA ID

11763294

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

brake sleeps sometime when i press brake pedal i took car to dealer once,they said need time i did not have much time took another time, they reseted system still... my warranty is over now. rear seat,make shake noise and check rear seat sign on dealer can't find problem. did not do anything since new car. i do not know any other 2021 sienna drivers have same problem.

NHTSA ID

11762371

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

My liftgate has been making loud noises upon closing. The dealership checked it and diagnosed that the trunk door is mis-aligned, leaving a gap so that the door WOULD NOT SECURELY CLOSE. I was referred to the body shop to have the shocks and hinges changed. Further discussions mentioned this was a common problem with the Toyota RAV-4 where the hydraulics fail causing a bad alignment therefore affecting the hinges. Although my vehicle is a Toyota SIENNA, I had asked if this was caused by mishandling on my part (ie, slamming/ forcing the door or stuffing the cargo) but the technician mentioned that there was nothing I could have done to prevent it nor done to have caused the hydraulics to fail or go bad. There were no lamps or alerts that warned me of the problem other than the "scraping noise" upon closing that was getting louder ever since. The problem had been assessed and confirmed by the body shop.

NHTSA ID

11761738

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

The electronic driver's seat motor and track assembly failed completely on my 2021 Toyota Sienna (VIN: [XXX]) at less than 18,000 miles. The seat is permanently seized in a fixed position. This creates an immediate safety and crash-protection hazard, as drivers of different heights cannot safely adjust their distance from the steering wheel airbag or properly reach the pedals. Toyota corporate is refusing to repair this premature manufacturing defect on a known problematic seating system, leaving a severe safety risk unresolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11761587

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

SRS Airbag Malfunction, visit Dealer warning

NHTSA ID

11759958

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Global Techstream+ (GTS+) ECU flash reprogramming procedures and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard+ (CUW+). To ensure the correct ECU software is installed, ECUs will require a Security Signature before the ECU will initialize the flash reprogramming sequence. This bulletin also details the process for acquiring a Security Signature from TIS during the GTS+ ECU flash reprogramming process.

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.

OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.

Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.

Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing extended coverage under this Customer Support Program for repairs related to excessive corrosion to the wire harness connections at the Rear Motor Generator. Excessive corrosion can cause AM Radio Static during certain drive cycles, or the vehicle may not start.

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.