Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2010 Toyota Sienna — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2010 to Dec 2012
The most reported issue is structure problems (42 complaints). 15 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (8)
NHTSA Campaign: 17V657000
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V-429 are not affected by this recall.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V743000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V396000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
NHTSA Campaign: 14V273000
Component: TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.
Risk: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: 2004-2010 Siennas subject to this recall were subject to recall campaign 10V-160 initiated in 2010. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles. Additionally, model year 1998-2003 Siennas were recalled as part of safety recall 10V-160. Owners of those vehicles that have not had not the remedy performed on their vehicles, should contact their Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V014000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V036000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V035000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V160000
Component: STRUCTURE
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
Risk: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 171)
Structure →4 issues
Your dashboard on the driver's and passenger's sides is sticky and melting, creating a glare that obstructs your view while driving. This dashboard defect causes a safety hazard by interfering with visibility at various speeds. Fixing this will likely require replacing the affected dashboard panel sections.
Parts you may need:
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The mechanism inside your right sliding door has cracked, causing the door to stay permanently closed. The pulley wire that opens both the left and right sliding doors has snapped on both sides, leaving at least one door completely sealed shut. Fixing this will likely require replacing the door mechanism, pulley system, and cables.
Parts you may need:
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Your dashboard has a defect that Toyota has acknowledged and offers to replace for free. However, Toyota is refusing to replace it because they say your warranty has expired, even though you didn't get it fixed earlier due to COVID-19 lockdowns and weren't aware that recalls have expiration dates.
Parts you may need:
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Your dashboard is cracking and has become sticky to the touch. You regularly use a windshield sun shade, but the Toyota dealer confirmed this issue is not part of a recall. The dashboard may need to be replaced or refinished to restore its condition.
Parts you may need:
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Steering →3 issues
Your steering wheel has developed excessive play (looseness), making it feel unsafe to drive at highway speeds. You're also hearing a clunking sound from the intermediate steering shaft when you turn the wheel, especially at low speeds. The issue likely involves worn or damaged steering shaft components that need inspection and replacement.
Parts you may need:
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Every time you turn the steering wheel, you feel and hear a clicking sensation, as if the steering shaft might be bent. This has been happening since 2017 and continues now. You've checked and there's no oil leak under the hood. The steering may need inspection to identify whether the shaft, joints, or related components are damaged.
Parts you may need:
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Your steering rack (the component that turns your wheels) developed a leak on the passenger side and needed to be replaced. The repair required replacing the rack and pinion assembly, tie rod ends, and steering linkage, which cost over $1,100. This type of seal failure can cause gradual loss of steering fluid and potential steering problems if not addressed.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train →2 issues
An oil line burst while you were driving on the highway, causing your engine to lose nearly all its oil with no warning lights to alert you. When you checked the dipstick at a gas station, it was completely dry, and when you tried to refill the oil, it all leaked out as soon as you restarted the engine. This is reportedly a known issue with the rubber VVTI oil line (Part #15772-31030), which Toyota has since replaced with an all-metal version. The fix will involve replacing the rubber oil line with the updated metal oil line to prevent future leaks.
Parts you may need:
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While slowing down, you heard a loud booming noise and your vehicle suddenly lost all power, coasting to a stop. Your mechanic found that the transmission had failed catastrophically, with internal parts breaking loose from the transmission casing. The exact cause of the failure wasn't determined. A complete transmission replacement or rebuild will be necessary to restore your vehicle to working condition.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System →1 issue
Shortly after having your battery replaced at Sam's Club, your vehicle experienced electrical system failure during a short drive—the dashboard lights flickered and the infotainment screen kept turning off and on. Within minutes of parking, black smoke and sparks began pouring from the engine compartment on the driver's side, followed by flames that grew rapidly and eventually caused the new battery to explode, blowing out the windshield. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire, which appeared to be spreading toward the fuel tank. This issue likely involved a faulty battery connection, installation error, or a defective replacement battery that caused electrical arcing and ignition.
Parts you may need:
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Air Bags →1 issue
Your 2010 Toyota Sienna was involved in a crash at 30-40 MPH into a steel fence, but the airbags did not deploy. The driver lost consciousness before the crash occurred. This is a serious safety failure that prevented the airbags from protecting the occupant during impact. A proper airbag system inspection and potential replacement of the airbag control module and sensors would be necessary to address this issue.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,traction Control System,engine →1 issue
While driving at 15-20 mph, your vehicle suddenly stalled and lost power steering, making the steering wheel hard to turn. Your check engine light and traction control warning light came on, along with other warning lights. The engine wouldn't restart while in Park, but it did restart when you shifted to Neutral. This happened at 115,000 miles. The underlying cause was not diagnosed or repaired.
Parts you may need:
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Seat Belts →1 issue
Your driver's side seat belt buckle broke and no longer latches when you try to fasten it. The Toyota dealer confirmed it's a defect and quoted $212 to replace it, but warned the part would take two weeks to arrive — meaning you'd have to drive unsafely and illegally during that time. Toyota customer service refused to cover the repair or issue a recall, citing your car being out of warranty. Fixing this will require replacing the entire seat belt buckle assembly.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,vehicle Speed Control,electronic Stability Control (esc) →1 issue
When turning slightly or driving on the freeway, you hear clicking sounds near the steering wheel and your traction control and VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) warning lights turn on — sometimes accompanied by warning buzzers and steering jerks. In some cases, your engine loses power briefly, which creates a scary driving situation. You've already had the rack and pinion steering assembly, wheel sensors replaced, and visited the dealership multiple times, but the problem continues to happen unpredictably. The issue may require a thorough diagnostic of the steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensors, or ESC control module connections.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,electrical System,air Bags →1 issue
Your airbag warning light came on when you started your vehicle and stayed on. At the same time, your horn stopped working, your airbags became inoperable, and other steering wheel controls stopped functioning. You believe the spiral cable assembly in your steering wheel is defective and needs replacement. The manufacturer told you there are no recalls for this issue and won't help cover the repair.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,electronic Stability Control (esc),service Brakes →1 issue
When turning at speeds above 30 mph—especially on highways or while driving uphill—your Sienna's slip indicator light, VSC light, and alarm may suddenly activate, and the ABS braking system can kick in automatically even while you're still accelerating, causing a temporary loss of vehicle control. This doesn't happen every time, but when it does occur, it creates a dangerous situation. The issue may be related to the steering rack or electronic stability control components.
Parts you may need:
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Structure,unknown Or Other →1 issue
The cable that operates your sliding door has snapped, leaving the door jammed shut and unable to open from inside or outside. This is the second sliding door where this has happened on your vehicle, creating a potential safety concern if passengers need to exit quickly. The repair typically involves replacing the sliding door cable assembly and may require professional service to properly install and adjust.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,structure,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Both of your sliding door cables have snapped, and the doors no longer work. The driver's side door can only open 6 inches, which creates a safety hazard because your children cannot exit the vehicle in an emergency. The motors that operate these doors have seized, causing the cables to fail. Fixing both doors will likely require replacing the door motors and cables, which can be expensive.
Parts you may need:
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Wheels,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your spare tire assembly detached and flew off while driving at highway speed, landing on the roadside median. Years earlier, a dealership had dismissed concerns about a safety recall related to the spare tire assembly. The dealer agreed to repair the spare tire assembly and replace the tire after you contacted Toyota directly.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your dashboard has become sticky to the touch, even though you regularly cover the windshield. This is likely caused by the dashboard material degrading or off-gassing in the heat. Fixing this typically involves cleaning the dashboard with appropriate products or, in severe cases, having the dashboard panel replaced.
Parts you may need:
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Related Vehicles
Other Toyota Sienna years: