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).
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.
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.
I put my vehicle in park and then turned on the hazard lights, as I was parked at the entrance to a busy highway, and just wanted to grab my mail. I turned around from getting the mail; and my minivan was rolling across the highway with three of my children inside of it. It stopped when it hit a cement barrier on the other side of the highway. No air bag deployed. My children suffered from minor injuries. And, a-lot of anxiety.what happened to make my minivan switch out of park?
While driving I heard a noise coming from the engine. I stopped and park the vehicle, opened the hood an noticed oil all over the bottom part of the engine. (oil leak or seep from the engine oil cooler pipe).I purchased this vehicle from a Toyota dealership in stanford ct. And I was never advised of this issue, nor from Toyota or the dealership itself, even though a communication was sent to all Toyota dealer principals, service managers, parts managers. I spent $60.00 dollars for tow truck / $148.14 on Toyota original parts / $270.00 for labor. I spoke to two company Toyota representative and was informed that they no longer are responsible for covering this problem as warranty coverage expired on March of 2020.I was expecting for Toyota to cover my expenses as this is a factory engineering design done wrong. Roberto martinez 374 wadsworth ave apt 6c new york, ny 10040
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. While driving, the engine oil cooler pipe burst and spewed oil all over the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle's rear window was completely covered with oil. The manufacturer extended the warranty; however, the contact was not covered since the vehicle exceeded the warranty. Buckeye Toyota (1903 riverway dr, lancaster, oh 43130, [phone]) stated that they could not authorize a repair out of warranty unless approved by the manufacturer. The manufacturer provided a case number and stated that they would not cover the cost of the repairs. The contact called the state attorney general's office. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 156,000.
2011 Toyota Sienna van with 220 miles on it caught fire in my driveway 2 minutes after parking it there. No warning lights or anything. Vehicle is a total loss, no response from Toyota for over two weeks, owned the brand new van for less than a week. A cause and effect investigator hired by my ins co found the problem to be a faulty fan wire that shorted out. Extensive damage to my house and landscaping as well. Burned out van still sitting in my driveway causing danger with broken glass and soot to my children and pets. Unable to get any response what so ever from Toyota. The dealership has been extremely helpful.
I was driving from toronto to virginia on 23 dec 2020 and refilled gas in springfield ny walmart gas station to refill the gas. When I entered bedford pa turnpike, the car sounded with different sounds from engine on the ramp when entering the 70/76 freeway. When entered to virginia from maryland border after potomac river crossing on highway 15 , the car suddenly stopped while driving at 30 MPH and pulled the car to the side of the road slowly and when I restarted the car, it started normal and drove till chantilly virginia without any stopping. But the engine gave me different noises.
Oil started leaking heavily; I was notified by a coworker and was able to get the car into Firestone before the engine locked up. Low oil pressure warning came on as I drove into Firestone lot. Techs told me the oil cooling hose failed (at 109000 miles). Old hose was made of rubber attached to metal plates and had failed two places in the rubber hose. New hose is made of metal so techs checked for a recall and found none. This could be a big safety issue if people are not aware of what is happening and get stranded somewhere or the engine locks out on them at speed.
The vehicle caught on fire after driven for approximately 5 miles and parked for several minutes. It only had about 6,100 miles and purchased new 9 months ago. The fire caused total loss to the vehicle and everything inside including the child seats and stroller was permanently damaged by heat and smoke. According to the incident report from fire department, it appears that the fire ignited at the upper left corner (passenger side) of the engine bay. No evidence or indication of incendiary fire was found.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. While driving 35 MPH, the check engine and traction control warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,075.
Engine complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Toyota Sienna, 5% of the model year's 615 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Sienna engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Toyota Sienna, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Sienna engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.