NHTSA (USA)Critical
This page covers 6 recalls, 181 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Toyota Sienna.
19 mpg combined
12.4 L/100km
Minivan - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The 2012 to 2013 Toyota Sienna received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The minivan earned five stars in side crash protection, its strongest category. It scored four stars in frontal crash, rollover, and side pole crash tests. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2012 to 2013 range.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2013 Toyota Sienna cluster most heavily around structural issues, with airbag and electrical problems also drawing notable attention. On the structure side, owners frequently report problems with the sliding doors and related latching hardware, doors that fail to latch properly, open unexpectedly while driving, or become difficult to close. A recurring concern across multiple reports involves the shift interlock system, where owners describe being able to remove the ignition key while the transmission was not fully in park, resulting in the vehicle rolling. On the airbag side, owners report warning lights illuminating and, in some cases, describe unexpected airbag deployment or non-deployment. Electrical complaints tend to involve instrument cluster and sensor irregularities. Several reports also mention odometer discrepancies discovered at the time of purchase, though these appear to reflect private-sale fraud situations rather than a vehicle system failure.
181
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Toyota Sienna has 6 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
This airbag inflator defect appears across multiple filings, all describing the same explosive failure risk in the frontal passenger airbag. One filing specifically applies to vehicles sold or ever registered in high-humidity states and territories including Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, and several U.S. territories, where prolonged moisture exposure worsens the risk. The other filings cover a broader range of model years under the same Takata inflator concern. Taken together, these represent one underlying defect with potentially severe consequences in a crash.
On the brake side, this recall only affects Sienna vehicles converted into AMS Genesis wheelchair-accessible vans by Vantage Mobility International. In those conversions, the rear brake hoses may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm until they wear through. A hose failure reduces rear braking force, which can make the vehicle harder to stop and raise the risk of a crash.
There is also a door concern: if a power sliding door freezes shut and cannot open when commanded, it may later release and swing open on its own while the vehicle is in motion, which can put occupants at risk of falling or being struck by the moving door panel.
Finally, one recall involves a label compliance issue on Canadian-market vehicles where the tire and rim information sticker may not be printed in both official languages.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
Driver or passenger front airbag inflators previously replaced under an earlier recall may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, high temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected front airbag inflator, assembly, or sub-assembly depending on vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber brake hoses connected to the rear wheels may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new set of rear brake hoses that provide proper clearance between the hoses and axle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly depending on your vehicle model.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during deployment due to degradation from humidity and temperature exposure over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power sliding door may freeze shut and become unable to open when commanded. Once thawed or unfrozen, the door could open unexpectedly, potentially while the vehicle is moving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the junction block, rear sliding door wire harnesses, and install two sub wire harnesses at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire and rim information on your vehicle's compliance label may not be printed in both English and French as required by Canadian safety standards, though all other information is correct.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the compliance label with one that meets Canadian bilingual requirements.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
