Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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 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.
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.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated the power sliding door opened approximately nine inches and stopped without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
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. …
Safety issue: can't open gas door, can't open sliding door Gas door cover on the driver's side will not completely latch (faulty hinge issue? ) which prevents the sliding door from opening. Sliding door has issues in moving back and forth. Apparently there was a recall for this issue and I was never notified. When I researched the issue, I found that there was a recall but because my recall is just out of the 10 year time frame, Toyota states they won't pay for the repair of the faulty mechanism and that I have to pay for it out of pocket. Considering there has been a pandemic for the since March 2020, it's hard to believe that they wouldn't honor the repair when I called about it in December. I made a phone complaint to Toyota at the end of December 2021 and no one has returned my call.
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 .
My van cut on fire last saturdar, September 1st 2019. For no apparently reason. I drove about 5 miles from my house to the grocery store, when I notice the smoke, I first though was the car in front of me. But was smoke coming from my hood. I was just about to stop at a stop sigh and I look the temperature gate and it was fine, turn of the car and people from the parking lot was already yelling for me to get out of the car. More than 2/3 of the van was totally destroyed in the fire.
Takata recall. I received notice in late July 2016 about the Takata airbag recall for my vehicle. Due to travel, it was a few weeks before I could take it in to the dealer. I was offered a Toyota camry as a replacement vehicle, but I requested from Toyota USA, and received, authorization to rent a minivan through enterprise. I picked up that vehicle mid August 2016. In November 2016 I received notice that my van also had a sliding door recall. I initially stored my vehicle at the dealership, but was told to move it to my home in late December 2016. It is now late June 2017 and I have heard nothing about either of these recalls. The safercars.gov website says there is no remedy available for either recall yet. Almost 11 months I have been waiting on the airbag recall, and 7 months on the sliding door recall. This is an unacceptable waiting time. …
Related recalls
Structure › Body › Door
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna minivans manufactured January 4, 2010, to August 12, 2016. If the power sliding door is unable to be opened when commanded, such as if the door is frozen shut, the door may subsequently open unexpectedly, possibly while the…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the junction block, rear sliding door wire harnesses, and install two sub wire harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 corolla vehicles equipped with a non-Toyota, blue tooth hands free device or navigation unit and certain model year 2011 Toyota sienna vehicles equipped with a non-Toyota, overhead entertainment system and/or Bluetooth hands free device.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the a-pillar trim panel retention clip and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on December 30, 2011. Owners May contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Body complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2011 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 154 complaints about the body & structure of the 2011 Toyota Sienna, 25% of the model year's 615 complaints. The component named most often is body (95 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Sienna body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-858 (door, Nov 29, 2016); NHTSA recall 11V-566 (roof and pillars, Nov 22, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Sienna body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.