Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 4% | 7,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% | 28,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 8 | 3% | 34,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 3% | 88,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 2% | 115,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 1% | 27,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% | 73,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% | 56,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% | 69,000 miles |
| 2006 | 38 | 4% | 96,000 miles |
| 2005 | 83 | 7% | 65,000 miles |
| 2004 | 98 | 5% | 76,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 4% | 78,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% | 87,000 miles |
| 2000 | 21 | 6% | 73,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 3% | 134,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% | 99,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2nd row passenger side seat belt receptacle is not latching seat belt. The contact stated that a replacement part was ordered but not needed. It was discovered that the original part had debris inside and was cleaned out. The original part started working again and a repair was no longer needed.
While waiting in traffic on a county road to turn left, our Sienna was hit from behind by a car traveling at approximately 40 MPH. Front row seatbelts did not engage, nor did front airbags deploy. Our Sienna hit the stopped vehicle in front of us upon impact as well. Only right side curtain airbags deployed and middle row seatbelts restrain. This resulted in multiple injuries to the front row passengers, including a severe concussion.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine/transmission and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the vehicle at the rate of 55-60 mph, the vehicle came to a complete/instant stop without warning - potential causing harm or even death to the occupants of the associated vehicle, and it adversely affected my ability to safely control the vehicle. Also, as the incident was occurring, my drivers seatbelt became very, very tight. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? …
While buckling up on 6 dec 2019, the seat attachment to the b-pillar completely, without resistance, detached. The bolt that secured the belt was on the floor, completely pristine in appearance, undamaged, without any evidence of thread-locker application at the factory. The car had been in no accidents and was in excellent shape, without a trace of body rust or deterioration. Dealer replaced the bolt and checked the other belt anchoring bolts and said they were okl. Had to return to the dealer in two days since their repair had left the seat belt twisted. They unbolted, then re-bolted the belt anchor in the un-twisted, correct position. No harm occurred since I put on my belt before starting the car; realizing the defect immediately, I got to work by other means that day. The vehicle was stationary, in my garage at the time of the defect discovery.
Water intrusion from front sunroof when vehicle is parked at a 5% grade with the nose downward. Multiple vehicles exhibit this issue. Toyota is not creating any TSB and will mot even remedy it even if we have an extended warranty. Here is a link to the discussion thread: [redacted] I have not posted on this thread but I have the exact same issue for years. Toyota dealerships want me to first pay $1000 in labor to pull down the headliner and test. Then ask the warranty to cover the assembly, if they don't cover it... then I am on the hook for the work. The missing seam sealer is a common issue that will not manifest inside the 3yr / 36k mile warranty. My issue started around 2020 that I noticed and every dealership would not help me other than place a large burden on me. This can impact the electrical and the airbag curtains. …
Passenger side middle row seat belt has locked up fully retracted. Dealership service center stated on invoice, "nothing found to be causing the binding other than a mechanical issue, quoted replacing the seat belt assembly."
After a rain, water will leak into the driver and front passenger seatbelt coil housing. The front passenger seatbelt was not used in some time and mold developed with green and black stains all along the seatbelt. After it rained, the driver side seatbelt released about 1 cup of water when I pulled the seatbelt. With my wife as the passenger, she was conflicted about wearing the seatbelt while having mold pressed against her body, clothes, and breathing it in. The smell of mold is now present in the vehicle. This problem has been reproduced via online reports at SiennaChat.com. No warning lamps, messages or symptoms appeared prior, or during, this issue. I am in the process of reporting it to Toyota as soon as the next business day (Monday).
Rear seatbelt would not release and became only tighter when we tried to release it. A child almost suffocated because it was so tight around her stomach that she could not breathe. We had to cut the seat belt. Now, we are missing a seat belt and Toyota refused to acknowledge that it was a defect and/or replace it.
Related recalls (2)
Seat belts › Front
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Sienna vehicles manufactured February 15, 2016, to February 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, incorrect front seat belt height adjusters may have been installed.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt height adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Seat belts
On certain Mini vans, in the middle row seating position, the shoulder portion of the seat belt May bind in the bezel trim piece. The affected seat belt bezel is located on the shoulder portion of the seat in the right side seat of the seven passenger models and the center seating position in the eight passenger models.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt bezel and clip. The recall began August 5, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA investigations
Seatbelt malfunction
Odi received ten consumer complaints alleging that the middle-row passenger seatbelt webbing frequently jams in the integrated seatbelt guide housing slot.during normal body movement of the occupant, the webbing jams in the slot due to a dislodged cover plate, thus causing excess slack in the seatbelt assembly.Toyota?s letter response to the agency identifies 40 other consumer and field reports and 3,073 warranty…
Seatbelt malfunction
The shoulder portion of the middle-row seatbelt webbing feeds through an opening in the seatbelt bezel located at the top of the seat.the bezel also contains a clip that covers a narrow slot in the bezel.the clip May become dislodged from use and allow the seat belt to become stuck in the narrow slot exposed by the dislodged clip.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Sienna years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (98), 2005 (83), 2006 (38), 2000 (21) and 2008 (13) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota Sienna seat belt problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 16V-197 (front, Apr 7, 2016); 05V-327 (seat belts, Jul 20, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Sienna seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear/other (31 mentions), followed by the front › retractor (13).
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.