NHTSA has 247 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Sienna[1]. The by-year data also lists 9 recalls for this model year[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the van, and these are the groups, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 84 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe a front impact where the bag stayed shut, and worry about a recalled part while waiting for repair parts to arrive.
- Structure. 72 complaints[6]. Owners describe sliding doors and the rear hatch that will not latch, pop, or close when they should, and a sunroof that keeps leaking after dealer visits.
- Unknown Or Other. 28 complaints[7]. These reports do not fit a named part group.
- Electrical System. 27 complaints[8]. Owners describe a battery that died in a nearly new van, dash lights that stay dark, warning lights that stay on, and wipers that run at the wrong speeds.
- Power Train. 17 complaints[9]. Owners describe hesitation when merging, a van that rolled while parked, a failed rear differential, and wires chewed by rodents.
- Steering. 15 complaints[10].
- Wheels. 12 complaints[11].
- Speed Control. 11 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Sienna is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V741), October 2019. About 928,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.[13]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (19V553), July 2019. About 303 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V005), January 2019. About 1,299,448 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death.[15]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V006), January 2017. About 577,875 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Structure › Body › Door (16V858), November 2016. About 744,437 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Equipment › Other › Labels (13V123), April 2013. About 7,525 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.[18]
- Seats (13V014), January 2013. About 3,235 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.[19]
- Equipment › Electrical (12V120), March 2012. About 363 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
- Equipment › Other › Labels (11V560), November 2011. About 210,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[21]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sienna 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Sienna 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[22] | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Sienna AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[23] | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 294 | 2 |
| 1999 | 215 | 2 |
| 2000 | 363 | 1 |
| 2001 | 180 | 2 |
| 2002 | 181 | 1 |
| 2003 | 105 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2,062 | 10 |
| 2005 | 1,130 | 12 |
| 2006 | 1,017 | 11 |
| 2007 | 364 | 10 |
| 2008 | 429 | 9 |
| 2009 | 207 | 10 |
| 2010 | 172 | 8 |
| 2011 | 615 | 14 |
| 2012 | 247 | 9 |
| 2013 | 183 | 6 |
| 2014 | 163 | 6 |
| 2015 | 233 | 6 |
| 2016 | 76 | 5 |
| 2017 | 155 | 10 |
| 2018 | 72 | 7 |
| 2019 | 45 | 7 |
| 2020 | 38 | 2 |
| 2021 | 45 | 4 |
| 2022 | 21 | 4 |
| 2023 | 71 | 2 |
| 2024 | 69 | 3 |
| 2025 | 267 | 5 |
| 2026 | 17 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Sienna show 247 complaints and 9 recalls for 2012[2]. Among the 29 model years listed, 19 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 9 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (17) and the most are for 2004 (2,062)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Sienna?
The complaint record for this year is spread over many parts, with air bags and structure named most often[5][6]. Among the 247 complaints, the file shows 0 deaths reported[1]. It also lists 4 fires and 13 injuries in the same file[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many vans were sold. Check the recalls section on this page before you buy, and compare it with other years of the Sienna.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Sienna?
- Owners name the air bags group most often, followed by structure, which covers doors and the hatch[5][6].
- How many complaints does the 2012 Toyota Sienna have?
- NHTSA has 247 owner complaints on file for this model year[1].
- Does the 2012 Toyota Sienna have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data lists 9 recalls[2]. The full list is in the Recalls section of this page.
- What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Sienna get?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2012 Toyota Sienna reliable?
- Complaints are spread over several groups[1]. See the by-year section to compare this year with other Siennas.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Toyota Sienna
Compare all model years of the Toyota Sienna
Other Toyota models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: minivans
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 247 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Sienna (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 13 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Sienna model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Sienna 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 84 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,200). NHTSA vehicle records
- 72 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,204). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,910). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,900). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V741, filed October 17, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V553, filed July 25, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V005, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V006, filed January 9, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V858, filed November 29, 2016: Structure › Body › Door . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V123, filed April 9, 2013: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V014, filed January 16, 2013: Seats. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V120, filed March 23, 2012: Equipment › Electrical. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V560, filed November 30, 2011: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Sienna 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Sienna AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Toyota Sienna with 2.7L 4-cylinder: rated 187 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Toyota Sienna with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 266 hp. www.epa.gov