10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,471 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.

2012 Toyota Sienna electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Toyota Sienna Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

May 162022

Sienna

  • miles

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

The engine stalled, power steering frozen then engine shut off while driving in an intersection. Replaced new battery, dove home upon arrival the engine stalled again, power steering frozen and engine shut off again. I don-€™t know what-€™s going on.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #22

Dec 032018

Sienna

  • 63,500 miles
Was driving home from running errands, about a 4 mile drive at 35 miles/hr. At a stop light there seemed to be some sort of electrical surge. All the dashboard lights flashed and the vehicle turned off. I was able to put the car in park and restart it. There were no warning lights on after restarting the engine, so I assumed it was a fluke and continued on my way home. A little further down the road at another stop light it happened again. I pulled into my driveway and started to unload my car when I noticed smoke emanating from under the hood. I opened the hood to discover a small fire coming from a large group of wrapped wires behind the battery. I was able to put it out quickly with a fire extinguisher, but the car is completely dead and the entire electrical harness needs to be replaced as well as some other nearby parts. This vehicle was well taken care of. There is just under 65,000 miles on it and I brought it in for it's 60K maintenance 6 months ago (6/11/18). At that time they also took care of the recalls for the passenger side airbag and the power sliding doors. Since I was able to contain the fire quickly, this vehicle suffered minimal engine damage, so I'm wondering if it should be used for investigation purposes before repairs are made as it appears this may have happened with other Toyota Siennas that suffered much greater damage.

- Los Gatos, CA, USA

problem #21

Aug 282018

Sienna

  • 65,000 miles
This car caught on fire few minutes after some electrical issues- while driving the car with everything looking just fine, the A/C fan fluctuated on and off -car blue tooth also kept disconnected and reconnect for a few seconds then all dashboard lights illuminated on and off few times. After maybe 2 minuets I reached home, may family got off the car when I noticed smoke coming from the hood. I opened the hood to find a medium size fire coming from the driver side of the engine, I called 911 right away. In less than 10-15 mins most of the car melt from the fire plus the whole garage.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #20

Nov 172017

Sienna

  • 10 miles

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

1) power sliding door opened while driving; 2) strer wheel always stay on right. I took my van to delaer (mark jacobson) and they have not fixed the sliding door after I report the problem with sliding door. After I started searching on internet and found that there is recall also. I called them there is a recall but they did not do anything. Recall date: November 22, 2016 dealer reference id: G04 NHTSA recall id: 16V858

- Morrisville, NC, USA

problem #19

Jan 082013

Sienna

  • 100 miles
2013 Toyota Sienna minivan the power doors no longer close and open properly, they essentially stick, and we have to manually get out, and slam it shut with great force. The car door opened once while I was driving. My child on that side was wearing a seatbelt, I pulled over, and had to get out to shut the door with great force. For a long period, Toyota didn't have a fix for this problem. I have been calling the dealership regularly to see if the "fix" had arrived. Finally, in August I was told that it had, and that the soonest they could fix my car was December 27!!! I have told them that I paid for a feature, to have power doors which both worked and didn't pose a safety liability. I have asked for either a loaner car, or compensation. Their response has been that they apologize for the inconvenience, but that they are not willing to give me another car, or compensate me. I have four children, one of whom is special needs.in order to ensure safety, I have had to disable the power feature. I bought the car with the power feature because it's something that we rely on. I feel that I spent money on something that is defective, and a safety liability, and we are being penalized, as opposed to the company assuring our safety and satisfaction.

- Needham, MA, USA

problem #18

Sep 012017

Sienna

  • miles
Manufacturer recall numberg04 NHTSA recall number16V858 September 2017 recall still incomplete. Called hotline and was told nothing can be done

- Novato, CA, USA

problem #17

Aug 162017

Sienna

  • 98,000 miles

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

Drivers side sliding door opened while car was in drive and moving. Passenger had to manually close door. After pushing door closed, it will not open or close manually nor electronically and the cable is frayed and broken free from the front anchor and is hanging from the vehicle. This occurred turning into a parking lot.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #16

Mar 072017

Sienna

  • 30,000 miles
The sunroof gets stuck in the open position; it will not close, both when the car is moving or stationary.

- Kiamesha Lake, NY, USA

problem #15

Jul 102017

Sienna

  • 133,000 miles
The vehicle was stationary when the power door cable snapped and the door will now only open approximately several inches. This poses a safety hazard as children in the back could become trapped in the vehicle. When I contacted the dealer I was told this was an incredibly common problem with the Sienna minivans but Toyota was not doing anything to remedy the issue.

- Roxbury, CT, USA

problem #14

May 252017

Sienna

  • miles
Power sliding doors won't latch and fly open while driving. Hardly ever used the passenger side. Dealer lebrun Toyota "fixed" by placing on manual. Also got a recall letter in January 2017 stating "no remedy yet and wait for next letter". June 13th they flew open again and unable to close. Ultimately bungeed doors closed to get home 30 miles. Then had towed (my expense - Toyota wouldnt cover) to lebrun again. They now say its not covered under recall and its because the latches are faulty and need replacing. Over $2100. Called Toyota and was "sorry for the experience I was having - latches are not on recall - only the cables and my problem is with faulty latches". vehicle doors dont open spontaneously unless in motion....when still - they stay closed. I use this for work and was supposed to start as an uber driver June 29th - I am and will lose lots of money and am very depressed about my choice of buying my first new vehicle.

- Bloomfield, NY, USA

problem #13

Jun 062016

Sienna

  • miles

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

Our 2012 seinna has both sliding doors closed only by rachet ties due to the issues with the doors opening. This has been happening for so long that we are no longer able to keep the doors latched or locked. The door ajar light and warning bells frequently sound as we round corners or if there is a strong wind. Our car alarm also is sensitive to wind and sounds frequently due to doors unable to latch and lock. We fear this poses a great safety issue for our children and grandchildren. Certainly the ties are not safety features keeping doors closed during an accident. Anyone entering the van must do so via the front passenger/driver doors or the rear hatch door. Now, the sunroof is sticking open. All problems began with the power doors. We have had it in for repair before the recall, as we have had issues with our doors since shortly after purchase. Many more times than they were seen for repair. This needs addressed immediately so we can safely drive our $30,000 vehicle that we purchased and paid for. This happens at all times. The date given "when did this happen" is the date we could no longer close the second door. We took the vehicle to two mechanics who did not know how to replace the motors. We then took the vehicle to Toyota in crittenden ky. They gave us a costly quote to replace the motors. Due to our vacation, they got both doors to latch...we did not make it 5 miles to our home before both doors were opening on the road. Shortly after, the doors were recalled and we have yet to receive repairs for our vehicle. This is very unsafe.

- Walton, KY, USA

problem #12

Feb 232017

Sienna

  • miles
Takata recall & door recall - I am trying to sell my vehicle privately because I purchased a new vehicle and now I am unable to sell it as there is no remedy and Toyota has recommended that no one should sit in the front passenger seat --- really?there needs to be pressure on Toyota to fix immediately

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #11

Oct 302015

Sienna

  • 79,000 miles
All underwood components are not only vulnerable, but attractive to rodents. While parked overnight on 4 consecutive nights, rodents have chewed through wires despite attractive rodent poison in the engine bay, the poison is untouched and the wires are attacked every night. To date injector wires, sensor sires, fuel pump wires have been compromised, including sensors for the stability control system, which is disabled. I repaired damage by running new wires, clearing nests and set traps and poison, but now the the fuel system has been attacked and the fuel pump does not activate. 3 other cars parked in the same location for the past 5 months are untouched. Safety systems are likely to be compromised for any person who must park these outdoors.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #10

Mar 062015

Sienna

  • 44,820 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sienna. While driving approximately 40 mph, the rear driver side sliding door suddenly opened. While attempting to shut the door, the door could not be secured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cause of the failure was due to a faulty door motor and faulty door latch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,820.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #9

Feb 042015

Sienna 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
2012 Sienna limited electrical issues I have a 2012 Toyota Sienna limited with every option except AWD. On February 4, 2015, after driving for about 25 minutes, when I stopped and turned off the engine, the van completely died! I wanted to start again, but there was no power at all; nothing would function, door locks, radio, lights, nothing! I had to wait for about 5 minutes. Finally I was able to start; however the navigation dvd was reset. This is the second time it happens this week. Before these events; about one year ago something like that happened, that time the van was in the garage, we were ready to go to church and when I press the start button it tried to start but then it completely died, there was no power at all. I am really concerned that this will happen while driving and we will be in a very serious condition not being able to control the vehicle. I already called the dealer, but there was no help. I had the battery checked and it?S in perfect conditions!

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #8

Oct 052014

Sienna 6-cyl

  • 9,300 miles
After the weather drop to 45 degrees on October 5, 2014 I started my 2012 Toyota Sienna (AWD), I immediately notice that all light in the panel were on. There is warning in center view panel alerting me that I need to take the vehicle to dealership for ABS, vsc and brake system problem. The following day I drove the vehicle to the dealership and notice that the speedometer and gas gauge are not working. The speedometer hand is moving back and forth. The gas is always in the full mode. I also notice that the brake is always in on mode. Driving without working speedometer, brake system and gas range are really putting my life in danger. I am hoping that my dealership which superior Toyota can fix these problem. I am also hoping that warranty will covert the defective part.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 172014

Sienna

  • 46,250 miles
Driver's side rear sliding door will not latch shut when closing door either manually of electrically. When closing front latches engage of sliding door but subsequent rear latching does not engage upon end of closing cycle. One can hear rear of sliding door locking mechanism actuator whine when attempting final close cycle. After the van's failure to cycle the door shut at rear, then also at rear a diagnostic sounds a long beep warning sound afterwards. Removing negative to see if this would reset the door in some way only served to cancel all electronic commands to the door to open or close useless from any button (fob, overhead control console button, manual door handle opening or open/close buttons). Passenger (right) sliding door unaffected.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #6

Nov 212013

Sienna 6-cyl

  • 21,433 miles
In Nov 2013, the battery light on the dashboard turned on. Within a few minutes of that happening, the vehicle stalled while driving and would not move again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the dealer discovered that the car"S alternator needed to be replaced. In Jan 2014, the battery light turned on again, so I drove the vehicle back to the dealer, where they claimed that the problem was once again with the alternator. They replaced the Sienna?S alternator again. In Mar 2014, the battery light came on yet again. I brought it into the dealer for a third time, but this time the dealer claimed to be unable to find any problems with the car?S electrical system. He returned it to me with advice to bring it back in if the problem continued. After the third dealer visit for the battery light issue, we still saw that the battery light would light up on several occasions. The dealer made it clear that I should only bring in the car if the battery light was on so that they could diagnose the problem. However, the intermittent times that it was on would not line up well with the dealer?S repair shop"S schedule. I have recorded video evidence that the car exhibits the battery light issue outside of dealer hours and sent it back to Toyota. I have tried to contact Toyota through both the dealer and directly. I have even filed a claim through California's lemon law. Toyota denied my claim, saying that they conformed my vehicle to the terms of the warranty within a reasonable number of opportunities. Despite this, the problem persists. It has been over half a year since the problem started, and I still do not know if my vehicle is safe to drive in. I fear that one day it may stall again without warning while driving on the road and put my loved ones and myself in danger. Toyota's handling of the situation has been slow and puts my family's safety in danger.

- Chino, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 022014

Sienna

  • 70,000 miles
We first encountered a problem in which the automatic sliding door would not function to open or close automatically but it still worked manually. About a week later the rear latch of the passenger sliding door became stuck in the lock position thus not allowing the door to fully close. I took the vehicle to my mechanic who greased the latch and allowed it to function properly however the door would still only open automatically but would open or close manually just fine. During this time there were 3 instances when the door would automatically open without human intervention but while we were driving down the highway with children in the rear seats. Toyota agrees this is a major safety issue but will only split the $1,200 bill with us. Based on the fact they are willing to help pay for the repair out of warranty proves they are aware of the issue yet fail to issue a recall and put are willing to risk lives especially children's lives to save face.

- White Haven, PA, USA

problem #4

Jan 212012

Sienna 6-cyl

  • 10 miles
The intermittent wiper is reveresed. The slow is running fast and the fast running slow. Took it to the dealer and they advised that they could not do anything. Also the dash is not flush with the instrument cluster.

- Granada Hills, CA, USA

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