Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 6% | 24,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% | 1,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 91,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | 4,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% | 8,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% | 80,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2006 | 11 | 1% | 89,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2004 | 15 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | 230,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | 116,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% | 120,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The last week of September 2021 my husband notice a sound like water runing and a leak on the driver and passenger seats, we take the vehicle to the Dealer for an inspection on October 2nd. They said the AC hose was clogged for a spiderweb and the leak can create a mold. This mold can affect my family health. We informed to the insurance and we taked the vehicle to the Dealer for repair. They did an expensive special cleaning to Remove the mold, and disamble my entire vehicle, the worse is my vehicle still unassembled after 3 months at the dealership. All this happens with out any warning sign, symptoms or light. This vehicle is 3 years old and all services on time and by the same Dealership. My vehicle has a lot of technology but not warning about this AC clogged and damage my entire vehicle wich still on repair.
3rd row power seats are malfunctioning and are operating while vehicle is in motion. Multiple times, and on different days, the power seats have started to close while passenger is seated and buckled in the seat. Occurred today while on the highway, at highway speed while my wife was seated in the drivers side 2 seat split. The seat started to close on its own - no one touched any button and we had been driving for over an hour. The seat put pressure on her until it stopped in a partially closed position. The seat buttons then did not work to reopen the seat back for several minutes. This would be extremely dangerous for a small child. This has happened in a similar scenario on multiple occasions and we are certain that the power seats are malfunctioning.
I stopped at a gas station and was parked with the car on, and I reached under my front passenger seat (manual seat) and received a 20 amp shock from one of the wires under the seat. Resulting in my dislocating my shoulder from the muscle spasms. Taking it into dealership tomorrow morning but after talking with them they dont have any idea what could have caused it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the middle row seat behind the driver side shifted inadvertently. The dealer diagnosed that the seats needed a bracket to keep them from shifting. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 15,000.
There are 2 problems I am experiencing with my 1 yr old Toyota 2013 Sienna van - 1> rattling noise coming frm back of 2nd row or 3rd seat - very hard to pinpoint source, took it to my dealer for 25K svc, explained, was notified they will run this check on my 30K mileage svc as van needs to be left for 3 to 4 hrs with them. There are a lot of internet blogs and postings on this issue, with some getting Toyota to replace 2nd or 3rd seating completely with a brand new seat and thus making noise disappear 2> when turning the steering wheel, whining noise in the background can be heard at very lo w speed around 15-25 MPH or even less, very annoying and disturbing for any car driver.I believe that is May also signify an underlying problem, waiting to get out of control. With a range of moving parts working in tandem, it is difficult to figure out the source of such abnormal car sounds. …
This has now occurred twice and has been repaired multiple times. The 1st time happened a few weeks after being purchased. I was traveling approx 45-50mph, began breaking for a yellow light when suddenly the woman in front of me stopped short of the light. To avoid hitting her I had to break firm but not slamming on the breaks. I stopped about a car length short of her and then felt an impact. I assumed I had been hit from behind by another driver but there was no car there. I pulled into a mall just ahead and looked behind the drivers seat to find the 2nd row seat, where 10 minutes before my daughter had been sitting, had collapsed forward, slid on the rails and slammed into the drivers seat. The seat was locked and unable to be moved in it's collapsed position. I suffered extreme whip lash and back pain. …
The third row passenger side split was stored and then put back up. Upon lifting the seats, pieces fell out (spring, washer, and screw) and the locking mechanism would not lock the seats into place. I am not sure how long these parts were loose, but it is a major safety hazard as the vehicle seat was not secured to the car as intended. We plan to to follow up with Toyota, but upon investigating, it seems that this is an issue for several 2011 Siennas. My Sienna was manufactured 4/2012. This is the smaller of the split seats, but out of an abundance of caution, we don't plan to use the 3rd row at all until a remedy is produced. Unfortunately, I saw only consumer complaints in regards to the 2011 3rd row seating issue and didn't see any solutions.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that when engaging the brakes the front driver seat would slightly slide forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the vehicle was performing up to manufacturer specifications. As a result, they did not offer any assistance since they were unable to alter the design of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 12.
Related recalls (2)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
Seats
Access options is recalling certain trucks and vans built on Ford e150, e350, Toyota sienna, and Dodge grand caravan chassis and equipped with vmi/ricon 6-way power seat bases. The six way power seat base May have a defective (cold) weld on the pivot pin which is welded to the swivel plate. The weld could fail.
Remedy: The swivel plate will be replaced free of charge if necessary. The recall began on June 8, 2010. Owners May contact access option at 831-722-6804.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Sienna years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (15), 2006 (11), 2011 (11), 2005 (7) and 2000 (6) model years. Seat complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota Sienna seat problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 13V-014 (seats, Jan 16, 2013); 10V-270 (seats, Jun 17, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Sienna seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 53% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the mid/rear assembly (10 mentions), followed by the front assembly › recliner (3).
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.