2021 Toyota SIENNA HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
30,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 41 complaints (31.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 17.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
Air Bags: 13; Service Brakes: 6; Seats: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Engine: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 9; 2025: 6; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11377621 · 2020-12-03 (December 3, 2020)
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CONDITION POOR VISABILITY TO OPERATOR ( REAR WINDOW) WHEN BRAKE IS ACTIVATED IN LOW OR DARK LIGHTING CONDITION(S) THERE IS REFLECTION OFF GLASS AND REAR DEFROST ELEMENT(S) WHICH CAUSE LIMITED REAR VISABILITY OUT OF REAR WINDOW GLASS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11377621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505111 · 2023-02-02 (February 2, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a three-second delay before the brakes would respond. Additionally, the brake pedal was difficult to depress, creating an extended stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who adjusted the brake stroke sensor and recalibrated the braking system; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to a second dealer who bled the brake lines, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the f…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11505111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11740978 · 2026-05-30 (May 30, 2026)
SRS light has been showing up on the dashboard, off and on for 3 weeks. Diagnostic reader completed by the dealership states it is an airbag module malfunction of the 2nd row left passenger seat. The seat has never been removed, there have been zero accidents and no damage to the seat or wiring.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11740978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11750096 · 2026-07-13 (July 13, 2026)
FAILURE: Blind spot monitor module failed due to a corroded internal electrical connector. The failure disabled both the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). Both remain inoperative. The failed component has not been replaced and is available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Two active safety systems are disabled. The vehicle no longer warns of vehicles in the blind spot during lane changes, and no longer warns of cross traffic when backing out of parking spaces or driveways. WARNING LAMPS: Yes. Multiple warning lamps illum…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11750096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11596197 · 2024-06-24 (June 24, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge reading displayed that the fuel tank was empty; however, while the contact was attempting to refuel the vehicle at the gas station, she became aware that the fuel tank was not empty and that there was sufficient fuel in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the CarMax dealer, where it was driven and refueled several times; however, the failure could not b…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11596197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11729036 · 2026-04-03 (April 3, 2026)
The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The vehicle was parked in the driveway when an explosion occurred; the vehicle burned down. The contact was inside the residence when a loud noise was heard, and the house "rocked." The contact ran to the front of the house to investigate and noticed that the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire damaged the driveway, melted the garage door, and melted a landscaping retaining wall. The fire damaged the post on the front porch. The contact and her family were unable to exit through the front door…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11729036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11730547 · 2026-04-11 (April 11, 2026)
We were stopped at a stoplight. As soon as we stepped on the gas pedal, there was a loud clunk sound and plastic parts started flying out from under the car. We immediately pulled over. Oil was spilling out everywhere. The transmission oil pump was laying on the inside of the engine compartment. We had towed to Toyota. They diagnosed a bent piston went through engine which also caused a hole in the transmission. I had it towed for a 2nd opinion. Neither toyota or the 2nd opinion had ever seen anything like it. My mechanic also said there are a …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11730547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11761587 · 2026-09-02 (September 2, 2026)
The electronic driver's seat motor and track assembly failed completely on my 2021 Toyota Sienna (VIN: [XXX]) at less than 18,000 miles. The seat is permanently seized in a fixed position. This creates an immediate safety and crash-protection hazard, as drivers of different heights cannot safely adjust their distance from the steering wheel airbag or properly reach the pedals. Toyota corporate is refusing to repair this premature manufacturing defect on a known problematic seating system, leaving a severe safety risk unresolved. INFORMATION RE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11761587 at NHTSA ↗