2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes2541.0%
- Electrical813.1%
- Visibility711.5%
- Interior & seats46.6%
- Seat belts34.9%
- Airbags34.9%
- Powertrain (other)34.9%
- Driver assistance34.9%
- Body & structure34.9%
- Transmission11.6%
- Steering11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The brakes on the hybrid system release during braking. Which send the van lurching forward, this typically happens a lower speeds, under 20mph. Which makes it unsafe as you do not stop when you are expecting.
while braking and coming to a stop the van surges forward (while brakes are being applied). This has nearly caused accidents on 2 occasions, and has happened 2 other times in the past few months
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving, the fuel gauge indicated there was 121 miles of fuel available. The contact stated that within twenty miles, the fuel gauge indicated that the fuel tank was empty. The contact stated that when the gauge indicated 170 miles available, the fuel usage decreased quickly. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased and modified for transporting the contact’s disabled son. The Freedom Motor company provided the modification requests. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the modification company several times, however no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to always keep the fuel tank full. The contact stated that it was very hot and dangerous to be driving a vehicle and running out of fuel while transporting her disabled son. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, the vehicle jolted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the messages "Parking Brake Malfunction", "Parking Brake Unavailable" and "Door Ajar" were displayed. The gear shift indicator light and the parking brake warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the main wiring harness underneath the gear shifter was corroded. The dealer informed the contact the wiring harness would be replaced at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the failure occurred because there was no protective shielding around the wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 44,242.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was a popping sound coming from the sunroof, and the contact discovered that the sunroof had shattered. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Vehicles equipped with rear entertainment: when tv is folded down, Toyota failed to include a digital mirror to support the ability to see through the rear of the vehicle. When the entertainment system is folded down, the rear view mirror is inaccessible. Many reports are filed online describing the same issue by other owners. Recall should be made to fix the issue and have a digital mirror put in place.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
On June 11, 2026, a BraunAbility Turny Evo seat system, installed by a third-party mobility dealer, suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure while in operation. A passenger with a physical disability was secured in the equipment when the mechanism seized, trapping the individual mid-cycle. The remote control displayed a mandatory "Code 19" error, rendering the equipment unresponsive and creating an immediate safety crisis. Beyond this mechanical failure, the vehicle's structural integrity is compromised. The floor plates and railings, which are critical for the securement of this mobility equipment, are loose and rattling, posing a severe risk of detachment while in motion. Furthermore, the interior upholstery was permanently damaged during the installation process, and a secondary mobility hoist system—which was paid for in full—was never installed. The dealer and the manufacturer have been notified of these dangerous structural and mechanical defects but have failed to provide a safe, complete repair. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate and poses a direct threat to the safety of the passenger.
The drivers rear seat on toyota sienna minivans has play in it. My concern is that when you install a car seat tight, the seat has play and can loosen. I can send a video. Picture won't help. It appears to be a common issue with these.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Seatbelt intermittently would latch since purchasing vehicle, and then completely failed and will no longer latch/clip in. This is 3rd row passenger side.
While turning right at approximately 5–10 mph, the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side. The impact caused moderate intrusion of the passenger door, severe damage to the front-right corner of the vehicle, and damage to the dashboard. Despite the structural damage and intrusion into the occupant compartment, none of the airbags deployed, including driver frontal, passenger frontal, side torso, or curtain airbags. Both occupants were wearing seatbelts, which activated normally. The driver sustained a right-side rib fracture caused by seatbelt force, required ambulance transport to the emergency room, and continues to experience ongoing symptoms. A child passenger seated in the front passenger seat struck her head against the window, resulting in a brain concussion with symptoms including headache and dizziness, requiring emergency medical evaluation. No airbag warning lights were present before or after the crash. The vehicle is preserved in post-crash condition and is available for inspection. This appears to be an airbag system failure / crashworthiness defect that resulted in enhanced injuries due to airbag non-deployment.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle experienced water intrusion into the interior cabin shortly after delivery in 2023. The water intrusion affected electrical components related to the airbag and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The vehicle remains in my possession and is available for inspection upon request. Moisture exposure to airbag and SRS components presents a serious safety risk because these federally regulated systems may fail to deploy, deploy improperly, or deploy unexpectedly in the event of a collision, increasing the risk of injury or death. The issue was reported multiple times to authorized Toyota dealerships while the vehicle was under factory warranty, and repair attempts were made; however, the water intrusion and related safety concerns were not resolved. The manufacturer and its authorized dealers were made aware of the defect through repeated service visits and customer complaints. Warning indicators related to the airbag/SRS system appeared after the water intrusion occurred, and the defect first manifested within weeks of vehicle delivery in 2023.
While turning right at approximately 5–10 mph, the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side. The impact caused moderate intrusion of the passenger door, severe damage to the front-right corner of the vehicle, and damage to the dashboard. Despite the structural damage and intrusion into the occupant compartment, none of the airbags deployed, including driver frontal, passenger frontal, side torso, or curtain airbags. Both occupants were wearing seatbelts, which activated normally. The driver sustained a right-side rib fracture caused by seatbelt force, required ambulance transport to the emergency room, and continues to experience ongoing symptoms. A child passenger seated in the front passenger seat struck her head against the window, resulting in a brain concussion with symptoms including headache and dizziness, requiring emergency medical evaluation. No airbag warning lights were present before or after the crash. The vehicle is preserved in post-crash condition and is available for inspection. This appears to be an airbag system failure / crashworthiness defect that resulted in enhanced injuries due to airbag non-deployment.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
while braking and coming to a stop the van surges forward (while brakes are being applied). This has nearly caused accidents on 2 occasions, and has happened 2 other times in the past few months
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, the vehicle jolted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the messages "Parking Brake Malfunction", "Parking Brake Unavailable" and "Door Ajar" were displayed. The gear shift indicator light and the parking brake warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the main wiring harness underneath the gear shifter was corroded. The dealer informed the contact the wiring harness would be replaced at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the failure occurred because there was no protective shielding around the wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 44,242.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The complaint was filed on behalf of the contact's employer. The contact drives a 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the acceleration occurred while the contact was making a right turn. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted from hybrid to high speed within a second. The brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle before coming to a complete stop. The vehicle sustained damage to the front driver's side door. No warning lights were illuminated. No Police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. VIN unavailable.
multiple times this has been an issue. I stepped on the break and the car essentially leaps forward typically when going up down or straight. In November 2024 it happened while going up a hill slowly and I bumped into the vehicle ahead of me. My vehicle had no damage, but the car in front of me had to get a new skid plate and my insurance doubled because of it. Since the incident in November 2024, my car has unintentionally accelerated intermittently. finally, April 2025 this happened my car started shaking jolted forward, engine revving, and then my check engine light came on then immediately contacted my local dealership and scheduled an appointment to get my car in. They have had my vehicle since then and have said it is not safe to give it back to me so I am currently driving a loaner vehicle.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that her husband pressed the automatic liftgate button to close, unaware that their child was near the trunk. The contact's son's left hand became trapped beneath the liftgate, and her husband had to yank the liftgate open to free the child's hand. The child received medical attention for bruising on his left hand. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
While turning right at approximately 5–10 mph, the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side. The impact caused moderate intrusion of the passenger door, severe damage to the front-right corner of the vehicle, and damage to the dashboard. Despite the structural damage and intrusion into the occupant compartment, none of the airbags deployed, including driver frontal, passenger frontal, side torso, or curtain airbags. Both occupants were wearing seatbelts, which activated normally. The driver sustained a right-side rib fracture caused by seatbelt force, required ambulance transport to the emergency room, and continues to experience ongoing symptoms. A child passenger seated in the front passenger seat struck her head against the window, resulting in a brain concussion with symptoms including headache and dizziness, requiring emergency medical evaluation. No airbag warning lights were present before or after the crash. The vehicle is preserved in post-crash condition and is available for inspection. This appears to be an airbag system failure / crashworthiness defect that resulted in enhanced injuries due to airbag non-deployment.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the sound came from the front and the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice; however, the contact was informed that the sound was due to normal wear and tear. In addition, the contact was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to another dealer for a second opinion. The failure mileage was approximately 52,200.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .