repaired · 2021 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2012 Toyota SiennaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 247 owner complaints about the 2012 Toyota Sienna, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-553 the manufacturer reports only 49% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 14, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Toyota Sienna has problems
247 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
84Air bags5 crash/fire/injury
72Structure4 crash/fire/injury
27Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
17Power train
15Steering
12Wheels
11Service brakes
11Vehicle speed control
9Engine
4615 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 84 | 5 |
| Structure | 72 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 27 | 2 |
| Power train | 17 | 1 |
| Steering | 15 | 1 |
| Wheels | 12 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 1 |
| Engine | 9 | 4 |
| 15 other systems | 46 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2012 Toyota Sienna recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q4
Body: door
Risk. If door opens while the vehicle is moving, there would be an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for…
no report yet
Equipment: electrical
Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, ANTILOCK BRAKING AND STABILITY CONTROL MAY BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. INCORRECT INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE PLACARD MAY LEAD TO TIRE OVERLOADING AND POSSIBLY CAUSE TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Sienna year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sienna median. How we score
'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Toyota Sienna safety ratings
2012 Toyota Sienna VAN AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (14.0% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Toyota Sienna, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Sienna owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I was at a full stopped and rear Ended at 30 miles an hour and the air bags did not deploy and I am suffering many injuries pain and loss The air bags didn’t deploy at all
BROUGHT CAR IN FOR AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. WAS TOLD IT WAS COMPLETED. AFTER THIS RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL MAILING FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE TOYOTA RECALL RESOLUTION TEAM NUMBER TO VERIFY. WAS TOLD THAT A TEMPORARY AIRBAG WAS INSTALLED AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE GOOD ONE REINSTALLED WHEN THEY…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID…
Own a 2012 Sienna?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.