2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid Brake Problems

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, the vehicle jolted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the messages "Parking Brake Malfunction", "Parking Brake Unavailable" and "Door Ajar" were displayed. The gear shift indicator light and the parking brake warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the main wiring harness underneath the gear shifter was corroded. The dealer informed the contact the wiring harness would be replaced at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the failure occurred because there was no protective shielding around the wiring harness. …

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.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that when attempting to apply the brakes while driving at 30 MPH or at lower speeds, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward. The failure occurred approximately 7 times, with the most recent occurrence causing the vehicle to lunge into an intersection, where oncoming traffic managed to avoid a collision. On that same day, the failure occurred 3 to 4 times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that a software update titled "Braking Comfort" was available to improve brake performance; however, the software update was not performed. The failure mileage was approximately 35,400.

While driving slowly into a parking slot, the brakes released and the vehicle surged over a parking block and into a sign. On a couple of time previously, I have encountered similar situations but never when parking at slow speed.

I turned right to park behind another car on the driveway and my car suddenly accelerated hitting the car in front. The collision was strong enough that the car that was hit then hit a barrier at the home.

2023 Toyota Sienna occasionally, without warning, "lurches" forward at low speeds when braking. While putting steady pressure on the brake when coming to a stop at a stop sign or traffic light etc. it feels as if the brakes stop applying pressure and if we wouldn't have quick reflexes to brake harder, we would roll out into the road or into the car in front of us. I believe it is something to do with the transition between regenerative braking (vehicle is a hybrid) and the hydraulic braking. I have spoken to Toyota, and they don't have any recall. People posting on online forums seem to believe there is a software update (T-SB-0047-24) that helps address the concern. Toyota charges to diagnose and apply software updates as the vehicle is out of warranty. I believe this to be a safety issue and something Toyota should cover. …

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.

Front brakes make a clicking noise that happens when accelerating and breaking, the brake pads may have some play or even the calipers may be malfunctioning. Vehicle is still under warranty and Toyota service center refuses to address the issue. They want me to spend $160+ to have them grease the brake pads, but they don't guarantee that this will fix the problem. On a fairly new hybrid van that has almost no wear on the brakes, this shouldn't happen, and when it does, Toyota should acknowledge and address the issue.

UNKNOWN. Randomly, while lightly braking, the vehicle will lunge forward. Does not always happen and unable to recreate it but has almost caused a few accidents. Van lunges forward for a second or so and then the brakes will re-catch or work again and the vehicle slows again. Scary. Have gone to toyota dealership but they insist nothing is wrong and they haven't heard of this issue. Forums with other Sienna hybrid owners state the same issue. Unsafe. Has happened multiple times, happened twice this last week.

when approaching a red light (or any attempt to slow down) and I press on the brakes, some times the car starts to de-accelerate normally, and then a second or two later, de-acceleration stops for a brief moment. Eventually, the breaking system makes the car stop, but the distance it runs until total stop has definitely been compromised.... plus, the scare factor is concerning. This happens randomly.

Brake complaints in other Sienna Hybrid years