Transport CanadaHigh Risk
At a glance
What can fail
Certain wheelchair tie-down retractors may not lock automatically due to improper manufacturing. This allows the wheelchair to move unsecured during a crash.
This page covers 4 recalls, 28 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Toyota Sienna.
35 mpg combined
6.7 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 dominant complaint pattern for the 2021 Toyota Sienna centers on the airbag system, which accounts for the largest share of owner reports by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe the SRS warning light illuminating on the dashboard, sometimes intermittently at first before becoming persistent, a pattern consistent with the airbag system flagging a malfunction without an obvious triggering event. Visibility and wipers draw the next cluster of complaints, though at a much lower volume. A small number of seat-related reports round out the top systems. Outside those categories, individual owners describe isolated experiences including regenerative braking harshness and jerky deceleration on the hybrid powertrain, and a single report describes a dramatic mechanical failure involving the transmission oil pump. The airbag warning light appearing repeatedly, clearing on its own, then staying on permanently is the most consistently described symptom pattern across this model year's complaint set.
28
Total Complaints
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Toyota Sienna has 4 recalls, the most serious involving occupant safety systems: a wheelchair tie-down retractor that may not lock in a crash, loose third-row seatback bolts, and a passenger seat sensor that can fail to trigger the airbag.
Starting with the wheelchair access concern, this recall affects only vehicles converted by Vantage Mobility. The tie-down retractors that secure the wheelchair may not lock automatically, meaning the chair can shift or slide in a crash rather than staying restrained. On the seating side, third-row seatback bolts may not have been tightened to spec, and a seatback that is not properly secured can fold or shift in a crash instead of holding the occupant in place. This recall applies to hybrid models. There is also a concern with the front passenger seat sensor, which reads whether the seat is occupied by an adult, a child, or no one and tells the airbag system how to respond. When this sensor malfunctions, the front passenger airbag may not deploy at all in a crash. The fourth recall involves the electronic stability control system, where a software issue can cause the system to deactivate without warning. Stability control helps the vehicle stay on its intended path during hard cornering or slippery conditions, and losing it unexpectedly raises the risk of losing control.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain wheelchair tie-down retractors may not lock automatically due to improper manufacturing. This allows the wheelchair to move unsecured during a crash.
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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 →
What the fix does
Vantage Mobility will inspect and replace the retractor if needed at a service center. Until repaired, manually confirm the wheelchair is secured before driving.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the third-row seatbacks may not be properly tightened, affecting seat stability and safety restraint function.
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten all third-row seat assembly bolts at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A short circuit in the front passenger air bag sensor may prevent the air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Skid Control computer software may not automatically restart the Vehicle Stability Control system when you restart your vehicle after turning it off. This means VSC could remain disabled without your knowledge.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Skid Control computer software at no cost to restore proper VSC restart operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
