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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,182 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Toyota Sienna brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Toyota Sienna Owner Comments

problem #15

Jan 112022

Sienna

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brake pedal assembly fell off while driving. Due to this the driver was unable to stop the car by applying brakes. The driver let the car slow down by itself a little before applying parking brakes to bring the car to a complete halt. In this process, the driver crossed three set of lights, which were fortunately green. Two of the lights were school-crossings. The safety of pedestrians, other cars on the road and the driver themselves were at risk. It was purely by chance that they were able to stop the car before any collision. The van is now at a repair shop. The experts at the repair shop said this is NOT normal. They have asked to raise a complaint to ensure that Toyota checks out the possibility of this occurring in other vehicles of the same model / year. There were no warnings before this incident happened.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

problem #14

Jun 182019

Sienna

  • 43,000 miles
We were visiting niagara falls this week and when we got off the exit my wife had no brakes. So we had it towed to a triple a repair shop and was told our brake line failed because it was corroded and was a cheap non oem brake line. We had to stay an extra night at our hotel. We bought it almost a year ago with 36000 miles and now has 43000 on it, I feel that braunability which did the handicap conversion should have used a oem brake line when the replaced it. I have als but my wife's number is (xxxxx) or email me back. We have a piece of the defective brake line thanks (xxxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Finleyville, PA, USA

problem #13

Jul 152016

Sienna

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V340000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to summit Toyota of akron (1535 vernon odom blvd, akron, oh 44320) in July of 2016 who stated that they would hold the vehicle and provide a loaner. The repair would take three months. In July of 2017, the dealer stated that parts were available, but the recall repair could not be performed because the brakes were rusted and the battery failed. The dealer stated that the failures occurred due to the vehicle being left parked outside the dealer without being moved for an extended period of time. The dealer refused to assist with the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

problem #12

Oct 312016

Sienna

  • 117,296 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, it became stuck. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to operate. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,296.

- Maxton, NC, USA

problem #11

Feb 132012

Sienna 6-cyl

  • miles
This is the fifth time I have problems with the brakes. I bought this car new. At 7000 miles, when I hit the pedal, steering wheel and car shakes and vibrate. Took it to the dealer, cut rotors, ok. At about 15000 miles same problem. They cut the rotors. Again, about 22000, same problem and now I had to paid because warranty expired,3 years. I wrote to the Toyota, explain the problem and thy decided to refunded me the money I paid, $500. Now, about 32000 miles I had the same problem and I bought the best rotors on the internet with holes, because they said it was the heat. I paid a mechanic to installed them. Work fine for a while, but at about 40000 miles the car star shaking when I hit the brakes. I bought new rotors at an auto part and replaced the rotors again. Now my car have 48800 miles and I have the same problem. I took it to the dealer today and they still says is the heat that worn the rotors. I had so many cars in my life and I never had to replaced the rotors that often. I believed there is a factory defect in this car that cause this problems with the brake. Toyota don't want to investigate. I beg you to investigate and make Toyota to look deeper in this problem. I don't buy the heat cause. This is not normal on a new car. It cost me almost $55,000. I don't think is fair. I think I'm going to take legal action against Toyota and sue them. But first, I'm looking for your help. I have all the receipts for the 5 times I fix the car. I also saved the original rotors and the second ones I bought. The third rotors are still on the car. My name: [xxx] my address: [xxx] email: [xxx] phone: [xxx] cell: [xxx] if you need documents or any proof, please contact me at the above phone. Also, you can contact me at my md address: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #10

Dec 072015

Sienna

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle unintentionally accelerated as the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a building. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained neck and leg injuries however, it was unknown if medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #9

Nov 142015

Sienna

  • 15,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I pulled into a relative's gravel driveway which has a very large parking area to the side. I pulled up to about two feet from their grassy area, got into position to back up into a parking space, stopped, and put my 2011 Sienna into reverse, and as soon as I gently touched the excelerator to begin backing up the van sped forward at a high rate of speed crashing into and over an 8 inch railroad tie that had a steelbeam on top that separated the driveway from their yard. I had to slam both feet onto the brake to get it to stop which it finally did. I thought I had not put it in reverse but I looked at the gearshift and it was indeed in reverse. I jiggled the gearshift to make sure it was secured in the slot and it was. I then put it in park and sat there for a minute or two trying to gain composure trying to figure out what just happened, I was in shock as nothing like this has ever happened to me before. After that minute or two I decided I couldn't let the vehicle sit there and needed to move it. Scared, but I put it in reverse again, ready to pounce on the brakes with both feet and barely touching the excelerator I started moving in reverse. It was working fine then. I then got out to check for damage and the bumper on the driver's side was damaged from the impact. The airbag did not deploy, I was not hurt however had any of my relatives been in that area at that moment it could've resulted in an injury or fatality. I reported what happened to the local dealership where I bought it and then to Toyota usa as instructed in the handbook. Now I'm reporting it here. Am awaiting contact supposedly within the next day or so to see what Toyota intends to do with the Sienna. I will not drive again it until the reason for this defect is found and fixed and damages repaired. The outcome will decide whether I will ever be a Toyota customer again.

- York, PA, USA

problem #8

Jun 142011

Sienna

  • 100 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle hesitated to stop. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that the windows failed to operate and the sliding doors failed to stop automatically. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the windows were repaired but the sliding doors were not. The specifics of the repairs were unknown. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start and required to be jump started. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the battery was replaced but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100.

- Wickliffe, OH, USA

problem #7

Dec 012013

Sienna

  • 40,000 miles
Hello, I own a 2011 Sienna le V6. In cold weather, it has a problem when braking where the vehicle lurches forward as it comes to a stop. The dealer drove the car and noted no issues. However, as you can see on this internet thread, many other owners have the same issue. www.siennachat.com/forum/193-problems-maintenance-repair/158410-engine-revving-up-just-before-stop.html this issue is not just annoying, I believe it is a safety issue, particularly on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice which are likely to occur in the colder weather that precipitates this issue. I believe either the engine or transmission programming needs to be modified to address this issue as soon as possible. This occurs when the engine is at high speed idle after a cold stop, which can last for many miles after you start driving.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #6

Mar 132012

Sienna

  • 58,527 miles
I was parking the car and needed to move the vehicle backward in a parking lot with a slight slope. When I attempted to move the shift lever to reverse the lever locked up and the vehicle started to roll backward. I applied the brakes to no avail and the engine died. The steering was locked. The ignition switch also locked. The vehicle stopped. I called the Toyota dealer and the service manager said to apply the brakes vigorously, at the same time pump the accelerator and turn the ignition. I did and the functions all started working. No damage, no injuries. This occurred in fredericks burg, tx this appears to be the same incident in complaint # 10585286, dated 3-17-2014.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #5

May 122011

Sienna 6-cyl

  • 7,802 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I hit the brakes around 60 mph I felt that the front wheels was shaken, vibrates and felt rough at the steering wheel and brake pedal. I took it to the dealer and they said that the rotors were rusty and warp because the heat. They cut the rotors. No charge. Now, I had the same problem with 23000 miles. Same excuse. The rotors were rusty and warp and they said they have to be cut and to replace the pads. Also, they said that the brake fluid needed to be change. $559 was the charge. I had no choice. My life depends on the brake. My complaint is that there is a factory defect with these rotors and the brakes. I had so many cars in my life and I never had this problem of rotors been warp because overheating. Millions of cars runs every day at 65 mph and I don't hear that every 5,000 miles they have to cut the rotors because overheating. I believe this is a factory defects and that they should replace the rotors at no cost to me. Please, I need to know where I can file a formal complaint to Toyota, since the dealer is trying to rip me off.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #4

Jul 042013

Sienna 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
My second complaint to NHTSA - previous NHTSA # 10470305 this is the 3rd time in 2 years I have had issues with the brakes when I apply brakes, the pedal goes all the way to the floor and vehicle doesn't stop. I have requested my money back or replaced my current Sienna with a new one as I have previously asked for when it happened in may of 2011 after driving 600 miles on a brand new vehicle and at around 20000 miles in 2012 when it happened again. I fear for the safety of my kids, my family, myself and others around me when I am driving. Toyota knows they are at fault yet they want me to take responsibility.Toyota refuses to help, they want to be given chances to fix it as they've tried twice already see previous complaint - I bought a brand new 2011 Toyota Sienna xle in may of 2011 from jay wolfe Toyota in Kansas City mo. After 1000 miles within less than a month, started having brake problems. When I press the brake, it was gliding, taking the paddle to the floor in order to stop the vehicle even at slow speeds. I was enroute to omaha for the weekend with my family and kids when I started having the brake problem. I took the vehicle back to the dealership and they took 4 days to check and determine it was air in the brake system. I am sure there was more to it but that is all they said and fixed. One person from corporate was there and told us and guaranteed that we should never see this problem again. Now less than a year after at 26000 miles started having same issues with brake. Now the dealership says there may be a leak in the brake system that may not have been look at before. I advised them due to safety of my family and my kids and others on the road, I am not taking this vehicle back and I requested to be replaced with another new vehicle since they are at fault by selling me a vehicle with a brake problem and by not fixing it right in the first place.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #3

May 082013

Sienna

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while sitting at a stop light with the brake pedal depressed, the brake pedal proceeded to decline and became stuck to the floorboard. The vehicle began to roll forward and crashed into the rear bumper of a semi-truck. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 24,000.

- Chicago , IL, USA

problem #2

Dec 052012

Sienna 6-cyl

  • 20,400 miles
On Dec.5, 2012 we were picking up a grandchild at an elementary school. We were in a line of cars to exit the parking lot. A car was pulling into the line ahead of us. We tried to stop to let her in, but there were no brakes. There was plenty of space and time to stop. We stopped by hitting her car. Our van had minimal damage, but she had a fender and passenger door damage. (we were thankful no children were injured as there were many around.) we had the car towed to J pauley Toyota in fort smith, as we were afraid to drive it. They pronounced it safe to drive. We called Toyota (800-331-4331) to have the black box checked as suggested. Still afraid to drive it we left it there and traded for a new van (Honda). (see accident report for 2009 Toyota Sienna van VIN# [xxx]. first time we thought it was probably a fluke. Second time a problem with the Siennas.) information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #1

May 272011

Sienna

  • 1,000 miles
I bought a brand new 2011 Toyota Sienna xle in may of 2011 from jay wolfe Toyota in Kansas City mo. After 1000 miles within less than a month, started having brake problems. When I press the brake, it was gliding, taking the paddle to the floor in order to stop the vehicle even at slow speeds. I was enroute to omaha for the weekend with my family and kids when I started having the brake problem. I took the vehicle back to the dealership and they took 4 days to check and determine it was air in the brake system. I am sure there was more to it but that is all they said and fixed. One person from corporate was there and told us and guaranteed that we should never see this problem again. Now less than a year after at 26000 miles started having same issues with brake. Now the dealership says there may be a leak in the brake system that may not have been look at before. I advised them due to safety of my family and my kids and others on the road, I am not taking this vehicle back and I requested to be replaced with another new vehicle since they are at fault by selling me a vehicle with a brake problem and by not fixing it right in the first place. Noting that Toyota have had problems with many cars with brake failure in the past. Please advise me what I would need to do in order to get my vehicle replaced for the safety of my family and kids since I no longer feel safe being in the current vehicle. Thank you,

- Kansas City, MO, USA

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