The 2021 Toyota Sienna exhibits a concerning reliability profile due to its two recalls and a significant number of complaints, particularly related to electronic stability control and adaptive equipment. With peak failure occurring between 20k to 40k miles, this model may present issues for drivers within that mileage range.
Key Factor:Notable electronic stability concerns
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (2) than the average TOYOTA vehicle (1.5). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
2 recalls for this vehicle1.5 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
📋Why This Matters
The presence of two recalls for the 2021 Sienna highlights critical areas of concern, particularly involving the electronic stability control system which is vital for maintaining vehicle stability. The implications of failing to comply with federal safety standards could compromise not only vehicle performance but also driver and passenger safety. Additionally, issues surrounding wheelchair restraint systems can pose significant risks for users reliant on adaptive equipment, further emphasizing the importance of addressing these defects.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Acceleration Issues
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.5)
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Summary: Analyzing the year-over-year safety trend reveals that while Toyota generally maintains a solid reputation for reliability, the Sienna's current statistics indicate an uptick in reported issues that may detract from that perception. Compared to expectations for this class of vehicle, its performance is worse than anticipated given the historical context of Toyota's engineering excellence.
Safety & Reliability Score
79/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 TOYOTA Sienna
Model Year2021
MakeTOYOTA
ModelSienna
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
May23
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
24 complaints (24% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
✅
Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.
🟠High
9(9%)
🟡Medium
22(22%)
🟢Low
69(69%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
⚙️Engineering Insight
With peak failure incidents noted between 20k and 40k miles, owners should be particularly vigilant during this period as it's when most reported complaints surface. This suggests that potential problems may arise soon after the warranty period begins to lapse, making it critical for owners to monitor any unusual behavior or alerts from the vehicle's systems.
📊 Mileage data extracted from 12 of 100 complaints (12% coverage)
0-20k
0 reports (0%)
20k-40k
6 reports (50%)
40k-60k
2 reports (17%)
60k-80k
2 reports (17%)
80k-100k
2 reports (17%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Electronic Stability Control
Issue: Risk of VSC system malfunction after being disabled.
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Schedule an inspection at a certified dealership to evaluate ESC functionality.
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Inquire about prior service records related to ESC repairs or software updates.
Campaigns:21V-12322V-456
2
Wheelchair Restraints
Issue: Retractors may fail to lock properly.
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Inspect wheelchair restraints immediately for proper function before use.
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Request confirmation of any previous recalls addressed on wheelchair restraint systems.
Campaign:21V-789
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your TOYOTA dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (2)
Campaign: 22V239000
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
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Summary
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence
Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
✓
No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
100 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Sienna.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Acceleration Issues24%
Warning24%
Surge12%
Accident7%
Injury5%
Crash/Accident5%
Display5%
Body/Interior🔵 Low
STRUCTURE
The driver’s side door mirror shakes when going down the road. The image in the mirror becomes shaky. The passenger side is fine, this is only on the driver side. I have brought this into the dealer, but they said it is normal. In 30+ years of driving cars, I have never had a car mirror do this.
Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag sensor turned off and failed to function as intended. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The manufacturer advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Brakes🔶 Medium
SERVICE BRAKES
When braking to a stop at low speed (stopping at stop sign or at light), then car accelerates forward even though my foot is on the brake attempting to slow the car down. This unintended acceleration is dangerous and can cause an accident.
Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS
It has been 22 months since the recall (NHTSA Number 23V865) and over a year since the expected remedy date. What is the status update? What is causing the delay?
Body/Interior⚠️ High
SEATS
2nd row passenger seat recline does not work. My seat is very reclined now causing the 2nd row passenger to not be in the optimal position for SRS airbag performance that may result in possible death due to head impact during a side collision. Toyota likely has enough data to issue a TSB to resolve this issue preventing serious injury or death to one of my children.
Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN
While driving my 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, the vehicle suddenly displayed a low oil pressure warning, immediately lost power, and entered limp mode. I was able to pull over safely, but the engine then suffered a catastrophic failure — a connecting rod blew through the engine block, leaving large metal fragments inside the engine compartment. The vehicle is completely inoperable. Prior to this event the van sometimes idled rough and shook slightly on startup when transitioning from battery to gasoline engine after sitting, but it drove normally otherwise. I have performed regular oil changes and routine maintenance according to Toyota’s schedule. Safety Concern: This failure happened suddenly and without warning. If it had occurred at highway speeds, it could have caused a serious crash due to loss of power or debris from the engine. This presents a significant safety hazard for drivers and passengers. Toyota has issued TSB T-SB-0104-21 for the 2021 Sienna Hybrid’s A25A-FXS engine addressing “MIL ON with Low Oil Pressure” conditions and DTCs P05202A/P052477 with milky or discolored oil. This suggests Toyota is aware of oil pressure and lubrication issues on this engine family. My catastrophic failure appears consistent with a loss of oil pressure or lubrication. I am filing this complaint to alert NHTSA of a possible defect or safety issue affecting 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid engines that can result in sudden catastrophic engine failure.
Visibility🔵 Low
VISIBILITY
2021 Sienna Hybrid Platinum AWD ~65K miles. Safety Issue: Fogging of windows increased, as AC was not working properly. Believe rear AC lines had galvanic corrosion from differing metals, steel bracket with aluminum line-sets causes corrosion hole in refrigerant line set, and leak causing loss of all Freon. No warning lights or messages, AC just stop blowing cold. Vehicle is driven in Michigan on winter roads with road salt, but stored in garage and only 4 years old. $1742 fix to replace line-sets, which can corrode again without proper design fix. Problem confirmed by dealer, and seen in other similar year Sienna's.
Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a 2021 Toyota Sienna (VIN: [XXX] ) from an authorized Toyota dealer in June 2024. At the time of sale, I was assured that the open safety recall (23TA15) would be repaired soon. More than a year later, no remedy has been offered, leaving me and my family driving an unsafe vehicle. Toyota’s own phase schedule indicates repairs should already be available in Washington State, yet I have been repeatedly told no repair exists. This has caused serious safety concerns, financial hardship, and loss of trust. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Brakes🔵 Low
SERVICE BRAKES
When braking downhill, the car will lurch forward causing me to have to break harder.
Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS
It has been almost 2 years and a remedy is not yet available?? I don’t feel safe in this car without this being fixed!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common issues reported by owners of the 2021 Toyota Sienna?
Owners have reported concerns primarily centered around electronic stability control malfunctions and problems with wheelchair restraint systems. These issues have been linked to safety recalls issued by Toyota aimed at rectifying software errors and hardware failures.
How does the reliability of the 2021 Toyota Sienna compare with other minivans?
'While many minivans on the market have established strong reliability records, the Sienna’s current recall history and volume of complaints suggest a more cautious approach is warranted compared to competitors. It remains essential for prospective buyers to consider these factors in their purchasing decisions.'
📊Year-over-Year Context
➡️Stable Pattern
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
🧭What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified TOYOTA service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in TOYOTA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Obtain proof of recall completion for all 2 campaigns before purchase.
Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.