2012 Toyota Sienna Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#3 most-complained of 11 Sienna years
The 2012 Toyota Sienna ranks 3rd-worst out of 11 model years, with 247 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 80. Airbags (34% of complaints) and Structure & Body (32%) are the top issues, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Sienna years.
- Complaints
- 247
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
Top 2012 Toyota Sienna problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags84 (34%)
- Structure & Body79 (32%)
- Other30 (12%)
- Electrical System29 (12%)
- Engine21 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (7%)
- Steering15 (6%)
- Brakes12 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during frontal or side impact crashes, sometimes at 45 mph, leading to facial or other injuries.
- Some describe the engine stalling or losing braking power at highway speeds, in one case followed by smoke filling the cabin.
- Several report the vehicle rolling away after being shifted into park with the brake pressed, in one instance striking a house.
- Electrical system complaints describe dashboard lights flashing, sudden shutdowns, or full electrical surges while driving at low speed.
- Fire reports include an engine fire after a minor rear-end collision and a fire that started after HVAC and electrical fluctuations.
- Brake-related complaints describe the ABS, VSC, and TRAC warnings appearing just before the vehicle failed to stop, resulting in a collision.
2012 Toyota Sienna recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V741000Oct 17, 2019Airbags928,220 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
- NHTSA 19V553000Jul 25, 2019Brakes303 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.
Risk: The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2019. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
- NHTSA 19V005000Jan 9, 2019Airbags1,299,448 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
2012 Toyota Sienna fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Toyota Sienna reliable?
- Compared to other Sienna model years, the 2012 ranks 3rd-worst out of 11 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Sienna?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags account for 34% of complaints (84 total) and Structure & Body for 32% (79 total), the two leading problem areas for this year.
- Does the 2012 Toyota Sienna have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2012 Sienna, including multiple airbag inflator recalls, a power sliding door wire harness recall, and a remote engine starter recall.
- How does the 2012 Sienna compare to other years?
- The 2012 Sienna's Complaint Index of 80 is worse than the 2013 (50), 2014 (40), and 2016 (20) model years, but better than the 2011 Sienna, which has the highest index of 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Toyota Sienna?
- The 2012 Sienna is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.