243 of the
10,828 complaints filed about the Toyota Sienna
are about the wheels —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
The TPMS system failed in the ECM or engine computer. It uses the wheel speed sensors on each hub to measure differences in wheel speed and uses this to infer if any one wheel has low tire pressure. (This vehicle does not have TPMS sensors in the wheels.) However, with this failure, it reports a tire pressure problem even though all 4 tires are inflated properly. This problem persists even after cleaning then replacing wheel speed sensors. The problem appears to be in the ECM or engine computer, which is very difficult and expensive to replace. With this problem, the driver is never able to tell if any tire actually has low pressure because the system always reports that a tire has low pressure. Toyota should be required to fix this issue in all affected vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11722856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~204,800 Incident Date: [XXX] Recent Service: Oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, and multipoint inspection performed on November 10, 2025 at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg (Maryland). Description of the Defect: On [XXX] while driving with my child in the vehicle, my 2011 Toyota Sienna experienced a sudden and dangerous failure. A strong burning smell entered the cabin, the ABS warning light illuminated, and then wheels locked up while the vehicle was in motion. At the same time, the steering wheel locked, making the vehicle impossible to steer. The engine immediately lost power and shut down in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed. This failure occurred four days after dealership service at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg, which included an oil change, tire rotation, and brake inspection. The dealership initially claimed the failure was due to a “dead battery,” and the following day changed the explanation to a “shorted alternator.” A weak battery or alternator failure does not explain a mechanical wheel lock or steering wheel lock while driving. The dealership has refused to provide diagnostic documentation or photographs of the components involved. This incident presents a significant safety hazard, and if it had occurred at highway speeds, it could have resulted in a severe crash. I am reporting this to request investigation into a potential safety defect involving the steering system, braking/ABS system, electrical system, or related components. Safety Risk: High. Loss of steering control + wheel lock + engine shutdown presents an immediate crash hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11699835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 8/22/2022 I had to replace the 2 front tires with MIM-Supreme Tour 18 inch tire 235/55R18. On 8/22/2022 I had 162,323 miles on the 2012 Toyota Sienna XLE 4 months later and 17,252 miles driven - the 2012 Toyota Sienna now has 179,575 miles and on 12/28/2023 the 2 front tires again have to be replaced - Matrix Toyr RS 11 on 18 inch rims. Now its July 2024 - again 6 months and now 6,700 miles and just the front tires are bald and dangerous to drive if any moisture on the road. All these tires are slated for 50,000 miles and I and not getting even half the mileage. Most driving is on highways and regular maintenance occurs on the car. this car should be designed to go at least 25,000 miles ( so once a year ) on a set of tires. I do not drive fast nor aggressive.
NHTSA complaint #11601985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front tires are wearing out to an unsafe tread in under 15000 miles due to the suspension in the front of this vehicle. If people are not vigilant the tires become unsafe quickly due to poor engineering on the front end.
NHTSA complaint #11586260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tire pressure monitor system dashboard icon is ridiculously non-intuitive. Both my wife and daughter have been baffled by it because the icon DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A TIRE! Neither are stupid, one is a college grad and the other is a junior at ASU. The icon is a cross-section of a tire, and none of them know what a tire cross-section looks like. Because of this, they have driven on dangerously under inflated tires without knowing it. Fix the icon SO IT LOOKS LIKE A TIRE! Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11495971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The van seems to prematurely wear tires out before their service life expectancy. I've owned the van for seven years, and I've had to purchase over five complete sets of tires. The front tires wear-out much faster than the rear tires, and do not last more than 15K miles. I've had several alignment jobs done, both (L&R) control arms replaced, ball joints, and struts - the van still wears out tires regardless of tire brand. I suspect the must be a design flaw causing premature wear and tear on tires on the front of the van, as I just replaced another set of tires from the Yokohama brand recommended for the van. I've asked Toyota, and they claim ignorance of such a problem. It is my desire to make this problem known, and to have the Government investigate if there is an design flaw in the Sienna van which is causing rapid part failures.
NHTSA complaint #11489474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2015 Toyota Sienna LE that I purchased new from the dealer. The original Michelin tires had excessive wear after less than 2yrs and ~28K miles. I replaced these with Continental tires(rated for 70K miles) and after 2years and at ~63K on the vehicle miles I had to replace those with General Altimax (rated for 75K miles). Each time tires were replaced it received and alignment. I now need to replace the third set of tires at ~88k for set number four. Additionally I had to replace the Rank and Pinion (Complete unit), both tie rods and both suspension control arms and ball joint assembly and a wheel alignment. Can is adult driven mostly in town but has one long road trip on it (6K miles). This will be the fourth set of tires on a vehicle with less than 100K miles along with 5-6 alignments. All tires have been maintained and rotated. This has to be a vehicle defect as I have multiple tire manufactures, all rated for more than double the tire life I'm getting. I have $2000 in tires so far (not counting the originals) $1250 in replacing the front end components noted and now have to spend another $1k on tires.
NHTSA complaint #11430201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had the control arms replaced, then one of the bolts came out after a few thousand miles. I had that bolt replaced and the problem started happening intermittently after that. Everything will be functioning fine and then the speed of my vehicle is inhibited and it is hard to accelerate. It is very difficult to get from 40 MPH up to 50 MPH. On slight curves, not always, it will beep and the slip indicator light comes on and will apply the brakes on what feels like one side. This has happened at 35-60 MPH. The slip indicator will beep sometimes until I decrease my speed to under 25 MPH. I took it into a reputable tire and front end shop and they replaced a wheel bearing with sensor, and 2 front tires. The problem happened again within 5 miles and the shop said I need to take it to Toyota dealer to have it the steering angle sensors recalibrated. The Toyota dealership said that this is something that the vehicle does itself. They inspected it and took it for a test drive and said nothing is wrong. The problem happened again within a few miles of leaving the dealership. I have read countless forums of people experiencing the same thing in their Toyota Sienna and having the dealership telling them there is not a problem. I have also found that the solution could very well be worn rack and pinion bushings that are creating the play that are triggering the sensors. I don't think they gave it a proper inspection. This is a very dangerous problem, and even more so when the dealership is saying there isn't a problem. I am feeling very lost on what to do with my van right now. I have spent $1100 and 3 days of my time with the same thing happening. I
NHTSA complaint #11426725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
on July 3rd, traveling on highway to airport tire blew out (right rear). Pulled to side of road and attempted assistance but this was friday afternoon before july 4th holiday, NOTHING was going to happen except a tow - possible wait as long as 2-3 hours. reportedly the Sienna has drive flat (50 miles at 50 mph) We drove 5 mph for approx 3 to 4 miles to tire store/Les Schwab. Flat was replaced but then on inspection ALL remaining tires had card showing wear on inner tires. ALL 4 (including the blowout). Pictures submitted . Of particular concern is that we had taken the vehicle about 10 K prior (March)specifically for tire wobble noise and to fix alignment. Wear was noted, but no safety concerns raised and no cautionary recommendations offered. When we brought the vehicle and tires to the dealer AFTER the blowout we were told by service manager that the early wear was a known problem to occur specifically on the all wheel Siennas. Again, NO CAUTIONARY ADVICE GIVEN in March despite recognized wear and this known history. We had a blowout in heavy holiday traffic at 60 mph less than 10K /3month later. This easily could have been catastrophic. We reported to Toyota to a "Beth" at customer documentation and risk reduction department who did an excellent job of deflecting causation/potential blame and advised us to contact the tire manufacturer or the dealer. Absolutely no evidence of concern for safety - ours or those around us - at highway speeds. Review of web shows known problem, service manager volunteered it to be a known problem of premature wear, with service given shortly before incident WITHOUT GUIDANCE. "Beth" told us she would document our concerns but that there was nothing Toyota could do or would do other than documenting. I am hopeful you can investigate further and initiate some reparative process before there is a preventable catastrophe much like the Prius accelerator problem. we will send copies of to wherever is useful
NHTSA complaint #11425207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE REALIZED THAT OUR VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN WE WENT TO ATTEMPT TO PUT ON THE SPARE, WE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE LUG NUTS HAD "SWOLLEN" AND NONE OF THE LUG NUTS WOULD FIT IN THE CORRESPONDING SOCKET. ULTIMATELY, THE LUG NUT CAPS DELAMINATED, AND IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR TO TEAR THE CAPS FROM THE NUTS. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE SENSE TO CONTINUE USING LUG NUTS WITH DECORATIVE CAPS FOR AESTHETIC REASONS WHILE IMPACTING THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS WITH FLAT TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #11414122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE WHEEL..I REGULARLY HAVE TIRE BALANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY THOUSAND MILES ON MY CAR..
NHTSA complaint #11389179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT TIRES WEAR OUT TOO FAST ON THIS VEHICLE. I PURCHASED VEHICLE AROUND 60K MILES. NOW AT 130K AND ON 4TH SET OF TIRES. ALL MICHELIN/TOP QUALITY FROM COSTCO. ROTATIONS AT 5-7K RELIGIOUSLY. FRONT END SUSPENSION/STEERING IN GOOD SHAPE/PARTS REPLACED WHEN WEAR IS SEEN. ALIGNMENT GOOD. HORRIBLE. WEAR IS ON OUTER EDGES OF BOTH FRONT TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #11386528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES ABS NOT WORKING. CAN'T FIND OUT WHY. SOMETIMES I HAVE BRAKES, SOMETIMES I DON'T. LIGHRS COME ON AND OFF. LOOKED UP RECALLS DESCRIPTIONS SHOW TGE SAME RECALLED ISSUES BUT MY CAR HAS ZERO RECALLS. DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ,BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES. I GOT OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY. PEBDEMIC CAME. NOW I NEED TO FIND A WAY TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #11385358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAVING A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA SIENNA TIRES, EVERY 30K, I HAVE TO CHANGE NEW TIRES FOR MY SIENNA VAN. TIRES WON'T LAST FOR LONG EVEN THOUGH AM DOING A REGULAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT EVERY 5000 MILES AND ALSO WATER PUMP HAD TO REPLACED WITH NEW WATER PUMP. IT'S COST US A LOT. I DID LOT OF REPAIRS ON MY SIENNA VAN, I HAVE ALMOST SPENT $10,000 FOR REPAIRS WORK AND TOTAL MILEAGE ON MY VAN IS NOT YET REACHED 90K
NHTSA complaint #11384199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COLONIAL TOYOTA (2600 W PIKE RD, INDIANA, PA 15701, (724) 471-4287) SUGGESTED THAT THE ISSUE MAY BE DUE TO A BROKEN WIRE OR A DIRTY SENSOR. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED AND THE SPEED SENSORS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11363215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.