The 2023 Toyota Sienna's recall regarding adaptive mobility equipment hints at potential safety risks, especially regarding wheelchair securement. With complaints primarily in this area, itβs vital for owners to be proactive in addressing these issues.
Key Factor:Adaptive equipment concerns
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Standard Safety Record
The 2023 Sienna maintains a standard safety record for TOYOTA, with 1 recall documented.
1 recall for this vehicle1.5 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
πWhy This Matters
For a family-oriented vehicle like the Toyota Sienna, reliability and functionality are paramount, especially when accommodating individuals with mobility challenges. The recall regarding wheelchair restraints directly impacts the vehicle's ability to safely secure occupants. This is critical because failing to lock properly could result in dangerous situations if sudden stops or accidents occur.
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: Better than avg (1.5)
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Summary: The Toyota Sienna has a mixed risk profile this year, with a significant recall that raises questions about its reliability in specific scenarios. While Toyota typically has a strong safety reputation, the current issues may deter some potential buyers from opting for this model.
Safety & Reliability Score
90/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-2.5
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2023 TOYOTA Sienna
Model Year2023
MakeTOYOTA
ModelSienna
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Dec22
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan23
NEWProduction
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
8 complaints (16% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 50 consumer complaints by severity level.
π High
4(8%)
π‘Medium
13(26%)
π’Low
33(66%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
βοΈEngineering Insight
The peak failure range of 20k-40k miles is important for owners as it indicates when they should be most vigilant about any adaptive equipment issues. Owners should monitor their vehicle closely around this mileage and ensure compliance with any recall repairs to avoid being stranded due to securement failures.
π Mileage data extracted from 4 of 50 complaints (8% coverage)
0-20k
0 reports (0%)
20k-40k
3 reports (75%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
1 reports (25%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
π οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
π―Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Wheelchair Restraint System
Issue: Potential failure of retractors to lock properly, leading to unsecured wheelchairs.
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Contact your dealer immediately for inspections and repairs related to the wheelchair restraint system.
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Verify if the vehicle has had the recall addressed; check service records for compliance with the recall campaign.
Campaign:21V-123
π‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your TOYOTA dealer to verify recall completion status.
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
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No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
50 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2023 Sienna.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Acceleration Issues16%
Warning12%
Accident8%
Stall6%
Brakesπ΅ Low
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes will intermittently lurch when coming to a stop with normal braking pressure. The lurch feels like the brakes have stopped working and the driver has to press harder on the brake to avoid rear ending the vehicle in front. Brake pedal feels normal the entire time. Dealership is unable to duplicate on a test drive since the issue is intermittent.
Visibilityπ΅ Low
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was a popping sound coming from the sunroof, and the contact discovered that the sunroof had shattered. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Electricalπ΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving, the fuel gauge indicated there was 121 miles of fuel available. The contact stated that within twenty miles, the fuel gauge indicated that the fuel tank was empty. The contact stated that when the gauge indicated 170 miles available, the fuel usage decreased quickly. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased and modified for transporting the contactβs disabled son. The Freedom Motor company provided the modification requests. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the modification company several times, however no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to always keep the fuel tank full. The contact stated that it was very hot and dangerous to be driving a vehicle and running out of fuel while transporting her disabled son. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Brakesπ΅ Low
SERVICE BRAKES
When I go to brake the brakes seem to malfunction and skip engagement. Iβve had acceleration happen in the vehicle when I brake. At one time this caused my speed to jump while braking, I went from 5 to 10 MPH. This now happens several times a week.
multiple times this has been an issue. I stepped on the break and the car essentially leaps forward typically when going up down or straight. In November 2024 it happened while going up a hill slowly and I bumped into the vehicle ahead of me. My vehicle had no damage, but the car in front of me had to get a new skid plate and my insurance doubled because of it. Since the incident in November 2024, my car has unintentionally accelerated intermittently. finally, April 2025 this happened my car started shaking jolted forward, engine revving, and then my check engine light came on then immediately contacted my local dealership and scheduled an appointment to get my car in. They have had my vehicle since then and have said it is not safe to give it back to me so I am currently driving a loaner vehicle.
Safety SystemsπΆ Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The (PCS) Precollision System has been already set to LOW sensitivity, but every once in awhile when pulling in to oncoming traffic the vehicle would think there's still a car and just stalls for a few seconds (nonresponsive to acceleration pedal) leading to a dangerous occurrence where I could be hit by a vehicle because I've basically stopped in an active intersection. My vehicle is clean, so no dirt blocking the sensors, and I also own a 5th gen RAV4 without this issue.
Otherβ οΈ High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof spontaneously exploded while in a closed position, not in use in any way, while driving in the rain on the highway. While driving at highway speed, a sudden βshotgun blast soundβ occurred. The interior cover was closed. Wind noise became immediately apparent. Upon stopping to inspect, the exterior sunroof glass had shattered with the appearance it blew out from the inside, as the middle section was protruding upward. The sunroof has been used very minimally since purchasing the vehicle right at a year ago. There have been no issues with the sunroof. The vehicle is going to the dealership body shop in the next few days.
Brakesπ΅ Low
SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes on my '23' Hybrid Toyota Sienna seem to have a sudden acceleration when braking at times. Typically, it happens when braking going down a hill or around a curve (at slower speeds) and sometimes when trying to come to a full stop. This has caused me to almost rear-end other vehicles on several occasions and has also caused me to go slightly beyond the stop sign, putting the nose of my car in the street. It is not reproducible at the dealership. It has happened since I drove it off the lot in July of 2023 and happens randomly and without warning. This is scary when you seem to be braking in plenty of time to keep safe distances and then you suddenly get propelled forward! It happens weekly and has happened weekly since purchase. In speaking with other owners, this sounds like a common issue.
Brakesπ΅ Low
SERVICE BRAKES
intermittent brake issues, primarily characterized by a "brake release" sensation where the brakes momentarily disengage while slowing down, causing the vehicle to lurch forward unexpectedly, sometimes happening during turns or on uneven roads and downhills and even while stopping at any light or a normal road sometimes
ElectricalπΆ Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle has a standard installation of a kick sensor for the rear hatch. I purchased the vehicle used and was able to start the vehicle and drive it for a period of time hoping to charge up the 12V battery. However, upon stopping the vehicle I could not restart it. Even after repeated jumpstart and driving the vehicle for over 45 minutes, the 12 V battery could not restart the car. I read about a similar issue with 2022 Toyota vehicles and so I followed the directions to disable the kick sensor. I then jumpstarted the car, drove it around and I found I could restart the car even after a short drive. I left the vehicle sitting in my driveway for two days and I could still restart the vehicle. I believe the 2023 Toyota sienna has the same issue as the 2022 model and the kick sensor needs to be replaced so it doesnβt drain the 12V battery when the sensor gets dirty. I live in the Midwest and this happened during January when there was snow and slush on the streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main issues reported for the 2023 Toyota Sienna?
The primary concern reported involves the wheelchair restraint system, which may not lock properly, posing serious safety implications. Itβs crucial that owners check on this issue and ensure they follow up on any recalls or service advisories promptly.
How does the recall affect my decision to buy a used 2023 Toyota Sienna?
If you're considering purchasing a used Sienna, it's essential to ensure that any outstanding recalls have been resolved before finalizing your decision. Verify that the previous owner addressed the wheelchair restraint issue as unresolved problems could compromise safety.
πYear-over-Year Context
πImproving Trend
Compared to earlier years, the 2023 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2022 issues. Recall frequency decreased 67%.
π§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
Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official TOYOTA records to ensure no 1 recalls remain open.
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 1 campaigns before purchase.
Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.