2011 Toyota Sienna

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~204,800 Incident Date: [XXX] Recent Service: Oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, and multipoint inspection performed on November 10, 2025 at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg (Maryland). Description of the Defect: On [XXX] while driving with my child in the vehicle, my 2011 Toyota Sienna experienced a sudden and dangerous failure. A strong burning smell entered the cabin, the ABS warning light illuminated, and then wheels locked up while the vehicle was in motion. At the same time, the steering wheel locked, making the vehicle impossible to steer. The engine immediately lost power and shut down in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed. This failure occurred four days after dealership service at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg, which included an oil change, tire rotation, and brake inspection. The dealership initially claimed the failure was due to a “dead battery,” and the following day changed the explanation to a “shorted alternator.” A weak battery or alternator failure does not explain a mechanical wheel lock or steering wheel lock while driving. The dealership has refused to provide diagnostic documentation or photographs of the components involved. This incident presents a significant safety hazard, and if it had occurred at highway speeds, it could have resulted in a severe crash. I am reporting this to request investigation into a potential safety defect involving the steering system, braking/ABS system, electrical system, or related components. Safety Risk: High. Loss of steering control + wheel lock + engine shutdown presents an immediate crash hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Both of the cables on my power doors have snapped now. Turned off switch & have been doing doors manually. The rear passenger side one doesn't like to slide and doesn't open fully.

I just but this car but I think the seller changed the mileage on it.

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the rear driver's and passenger's power sliding doors failed to latch securely and opened while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure), but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the power sliding door motor, cable, and door lock actuators needed to be replaced. The dealer had to zip-tie the power sliding doors to keep the doors closed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Catalizador caUsando bajas emisiones, consecuencia encendido de codigos de luz de advertencia de tablero como luz indicadora de falla (Check Engine). LUZ DE ADVERTENCIA ABS. LUZ INDICADORA DE DERRAPE VSC-TRAC Y LUZ DE ADVERTENCIA DE PRESION DE NEUMATICOS. AL VIAJAR POR CARRETERA SIMPLEMENTE SE APAGO Y SIN PODER TENER CONTROL DE LA MISMA DICHA FALLA CAUSO QUE YA NO ENCENDIERA AL TENER QUE SOLICITAR GRUA PARA EL ARRARSTRE DE LA UNIDAD HASTA LA AGENCIA DE TOYOTA EN CORDOBA VERACRUZ. SEGURO SOLO INTERVINO CON EL ARRASTRE DE LA UNIDAD. PERO LA SIENNA A LLEVADO HASTA EL DIA DE HOY Y FECHA PRESENTE TODOS LOS SERVICIOS DE AGENCIA POR LA CUAL SE LLEVO DE INMEDIATO, PERO CON LA NOVEDAD ES QUE NI LA MISMA AGENCIA LE A PODIDO QUITAR LA FALLA. NO TIENEN NI LA MENOR IDEA DE LA CAUSA. SU SOLUCION SEGUEN ELLOS ERAN LOS INYECTORES PERO LA CAMIONETA VOLIVIO A HACER LA MISMA FALLA Y LA AGENCIA NO DA GARANTIA DE SU MANO DE OBRA. SOLO AUMENTA EL GASTO EN REFACCIONES SIN SOLUCIONAR LA FALLA.

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the rear driver's side sliding door had failed to close or latch securely while closing the door manually or while using the power door switch button. The vehicle was taken to C&C Auto, where the door motor and belt were replaced, and other unknown repairs were performed. The door was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear passenger's side sliding door had failed to open and close as needed. The contact stated that the door was currently closed and would not open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure); because the VIN was not included in the recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the TPMS had failed to function as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

I was pulling my 2011 Toyota Siena into a parking space. My foot was on the brake and the car was going about 5 mph. The car made a slight sound, along with a perceptible yet small physical shift, and (while my foot was on the brake) independently accelerated with tremendous force. It was like it was ignited. The car hit a concrete pole and was totaled. The acceleration over-rode the brake. No one was hurt. The concrete pole averted what could have been a catastrophic accident, had we hit pedestrians, or had we rear ended a car or truck on the freeway. The brakes failed as the car jumped into independent acceleration. My safety and the safety of my passenger were both at risk. As I said, in a different situation, we might have hit pedestrians, or gone through the wall of the grocery store and hit customers. The concrete pole saved us and others. The mechanic at the service center where the car was towed said it was impossible to discern if there had been a failure in the system of the car - though clearly both my passenger and myself experienced that failure in the car's ability to override an independent, forceful acceleration not caused by the driver. There was no warning of any kind. On the Edmunds site, there are many, many testimonials by other drivers of the Toyota Siena of similar, frightening experiences of independent acceleration. It is terribly dangerous and should be investigated. If there is not a recall on this vehicle, there should be. This is a potentially catastrophic defect.

Rear ac system the line is too close to the rear tire which was replaced once yet it is so close it gets friction and wears a hole in the line . Dangerous for people in the rear that may be inhaling a/c vapor while ac is running with a leak . Also bad for environment. There is no clearance the tire is almost right on the line so when you hit a bump you are rubbing it . Repair man says he has had to repair several lines more than once because of them being placed too close to the rear tire . Date below is third time this happened same vehicle. First was in 2016 second was 2018

Sliding door does not open or close automatically. I think there was a recall for this issue

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while parked on a slight hill, her granddaughter opened the power sliding door to enter the vehicle however, the door did not latch or lock in place, causing the door to close independently while her granddaughter was entering the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but was previously repaired under a Toyota Customer Support Program where two hinges for the power sliding door were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Driving down highway noticed white smoke coming from car. Exited highway and warning light then came on saying engine oil low. Stopped van immediately on side of the road and had it towed. Appears the oil coolant line burst which is a known issue on these vehicles after google searching, but was never made aware. Always completed all recalls. Extremely dangerous especially with children in car.

Passenger slidding door opens while driving . My child was in the back seat & could have been thrown out of the minivan Contacted Toyota recall was fixed Sept 6, 2017. Happened last week again 10/17/23, contacted Toyota and dealership will not do anything customer support program extension ended . This is a Toyota issue should be covered , there was a recall on this issue . Toyota says my responsibility to fix , this is unacceptable, the slidding doors are an issue with Toyota .

My passenger side sliding door began to jerk when closing with power button. The next day the cable completely snapped and it no longer opens at all. My driver side sliding door constantly opens and sometimes does not stay closed. I can hear the lock roll and it automatically unlocks itself. There was previously a recall on these doors completed I'm afraid I still have defective parts.

Power steering light came on while driving causing the steering system to lose power suddenly. Almost got into an accident because I couldn't effectively turn the wheel. Mechanic inspected and found the steering motor was bad and that CPU needed to be replaced costing almost $4000 in repairs. Now my car is not driveable unless this is fixed. Car has only 140k miles. This is a VERY common problem with Toyota Siennas around these model years

The catalyst, the Evap and the EGR/VVT

The intermediate shaft makes a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel.

I have a Toyota Sienna 2011 XLE for 4 years and both doors stops randomly when opening and closing. My daughter was stuck in the car at least 10 times. She afraid to use the car because she repeatedly in danger of falling, the beep sound comes and the door stops suddenly. I used to drove my car leaving my door open once, because the door stuck and I couldn’t realize till I drove. I was lucky, my door didn't hit anyone or any car in the parking lot. The people were looking at my car with scary eyes. Obviously, It creates a safety risk for my family and the people around me. Because a lot of people have the same door problem, I informed Toyota. They responded, they have an extended coverage for the Power Sliding Door Cable Sub-Assembly but it’s expired on 09/16/2021. They know the problem and solved it temporarily without informing the owners and now they said, it’s over, you need to pay it. I am not asking for my seat covers replaced. It’s definitely a security issue, a suddenly stuck door can harm/kill passengers and people around. Toyota knows the problem but refuses to solve it. I don’t want to drive this car with knowing the risk of hurting anyone especially my 6 years old daughter. It’s so shame one of the biggest companies of the world produces risky cars and they continue to sell them with knowing. They shouldn’t risk the people in United States easily like that.

Like other Toyota Sienna owners, our backseat power doors stopped working. It doesn't close or open. I am really afraid of if we make an accident and can't open the door to move out my child safely. It's a common error in Toyota Sienna s .

Left sliding door cable was snapped while tried to open the door itself . I got out of the van then took a close look at door . After saw what happen to door then realized it was cable that got jammed in the door end up ripping the cable . I had to do manual way of opening the sliding door .

About two weeks after getting all new tires installed at Costco, the driver side rear tire blew out. I was driving about 50 MPH on a dry road with no debris in sight. The blowout gash was in the middle of the tire, not on the sidewall.