NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
17 reportsClear category filter96,000 miles · Apr 28, 2016
EnginePower Train
ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME WE HEARD SOME "GROWLING" AND "TICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. NO INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AS WE PULLED INTO OUR STEEP DRIVEWAY, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK. WE SHUT THE ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION, THE OIL DIPSTICK APPEARED DRY. I ADDED ABOUT 4 QTS OF OIL, AND STARTED THE ENGINE.…
Read full complaint
ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME WE HEARD SOME "GROWLING" AND "TICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. NO INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AS WE PULLED INTO OUR STEEP DRIVEWAY, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK. WE SHUT THE ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION, THE OIL DIPSTICK APPEARED DRY. I ADDED ABOUT 4 QTS OF OIL, AND STARTED THE ENGINE. IT SOUNDED NORMAL, AND NO WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LEVEL AREA AND CHECKED OIL AGAIN. I ADDED ANOTHER QUART - OIL WAS BETWEEN THE MARKS ON THE DIPSTICK. I NOTICED LIGHT DRIPPING FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE ENGINE, NEAR THE OIL COOLER. I THEN DROVE THE CAR TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP (ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY). ENGINE SOUNDED OK, NO WARNING LIGHTS. NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE OIL LINE TO THE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING, AND THERE'S DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE DUE TO RUNNING WITH NO OIL. I ASSUME THAT THE ENGINE OPERATED WITH NO OIL WHEN WE HEARD NOISES - BUT HOW COULD THE OIL LEAK OUT AND RUN THE ENGINE DRY FOR 15 MINUTES *BEFORE* THE LIGHT CAME ON? HOW COMMON IS THE PROBLEM OF THE OIL-COOLER HOSE FAILING? DOES THIS MODEL SHARE THE SAME ENGINE AS THE LEXUS RX350? IF SO - IS THE PROBLEM RELATED (I READ THAT MANY RX350 OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS) ?
NHTSA ODI #10861960
91,000 miles · Mar 29, 2016
Power Train
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION IN MY SIENNA. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS ON VACATION. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED IT WAS LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO, APRIL 2014. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR SHIFTING HARD AND HUMMING ON ACCELERATION. LUCKILY I MADE IT HOME AND WAS ABLE TO FIX IT. SPENT $1, 404.43 WHICH…
Read full complaint
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION IN MY SIENNA. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS ON VACATION. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED IT WAS LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO, APRIL 2014. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR SHIFTING HARD AND HUMMING ON ACCELERATION. LUCKILY I MADE IT HOME AND WAS ABLE TO FIX IT. SPENT $1, 404.43 WHICH WAS 30% OF THE COST, TOYOTA PAID FOR 70% OF IT. NOW MARCH OF 2016, THE CAR LURCHED, WAS SMOCKING AND SLOWED DOWN WHILE I WAS ON VACATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE HOTEL ROOM. PAID TOWING TO GET THE CAR TO AN OVERNIGHT LOCATION, MIKE ERDMAN TOYOTA. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT WITHIN THE WEEK THAT I WAS ON VACATION. I HAD TO COME HOME AND DRIVE BACK TO 224 MILES TO GET THE CAR. THIS TIME, I AM PAYING $3600.00. I SAW ANOTHER COMPLAINT SIMILAR TO MINE ON THIS SITE. UNFORTUNATELY, I WILL HAVE TO GET RID OF THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY. WHEN A CAR STALLS ON YOU ON THE TURNPIKE OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODE, IT IS TIME TO CUT YOUR LOSES. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN TOYOTA OWNERS BUT WILL NOW HAVE TO LOOK FOR A NEW COMPANY.
NHTSA ODI #10852296
143,683 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Power Train
GRINDING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN IN LOW GEAR FROM STOP. HAD DEFECTIVE X MISSION IN TWO OTHER 2010 TOYOTA AND RETURNED UNDER LEMON LAW. QUOTE FROM INDIVIDUAL NAT TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICE IN 2010 STATED THEY WERE INCURRING DIFFICULTIES WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME. 3 RDE SIENNA APPEARED FINE UNTIL RECENTLEY A…
Read full complaint
GRINDING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN IN LOW GEAR FROM STOP. HAD DEFECTIVE X MISSION IN TWO OTHER 2010 TOYOTA AND RETURNED UNDER LEMON LAW. QUOTE FROM INDIVIDUAL NAT TOYOTA CORPORATE OFFICE IN 2010 STATED THEY WERE INCURRING DIFFICULTIES WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME. 3 RDE SIENNA APPEARED FINE UNTIL RECENTLEY AND DISCOVERED THAT THEY STATED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND NEEDS REPLACING. CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY CLAIM EXCEEDED WARRENTY TO BAD SO SAD. MA 10/26/2015 UPDATED 12/05/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10735712
66,200 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Power Train
STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHEN I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, I STARTED TO HEAR LOUD, CLANGING/THUDDING NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE, THEN I HEARD ONE LARGE THUD. THE TRANSMISSION GEARS HAD SEIZED (COMPLETELY LOCKED UP), CAUSING SUCH TENSION/FRICTION THAT IT CAUSED TRANSMISSION COVER TO EXPLODE. PARTS WERE FALLING OUT OF TRANSMISSION AND TRA…
Read full complaint
STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHEN I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, I STARTED TO HEAR LOUD, CLANGING/THUDDING NOISES COMING FROM ENGINE, THEN I HEARD ONE LARGE THUD. THE TRANSMISSION GEARS HAD SEIZED (COMPLETELY LOCKED UP), CAUSING SUCH TENSION/FRICTION THAT IT CAUSED TRANSMISSION COVER TO EXPLODE. PARTS WERE FALLING OUT OF TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID EMPTIED ENTIRELY ON THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD BY A TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THAT IT WAS A MIRACLE I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER CAR TO SAFETY ON SIDE OF ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679520
11,900 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Power Train
2010 TOYOTA SIENNA : WHEN DRIVING, THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF THE GEAR SHIFTER CAUSES A SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE GEAR SHIFTER IS EXTREMELY (AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUSLY?) SENSITIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350717
50 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Power Train
THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. INITIALLY THERE WAS A WHISTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BRAND NEW VAN. THE WHISTLING NOISE WAS REDUCED BUT THERE ARE A BUNCH OF OTHER PROBLEMS. 1. ON START THE RPM GOES TO ABOUT 1600. 2. THERE IS CONSTANT LOAD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION/ENG…
Read full complaint
THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. INITIALLY THERE WAS A WHISTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION OF THE BRAND NEW VAN. THE WHISTLING NOISE WAS REDUCED BUT THERE ARE A BUNCH OF OTHER PROBLEMS. 1. ON START THE RPM GOES TO ABOUT 1600. 2. THERE IS CONSTANT LOAD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. 3. THE VEHICLE PICKUP MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE SOMETIMES OVERALL I DEFINITELY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAYS ALL THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE 'WITHIN NORMAL RANGE'. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315851
4,500 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
AT VEHICLE START- COLD AMBIENT TEMPS -APPROX 20F AND LOWER, ENGINE GOES TO ABOUT 1800 RPM AND STAYS THERE FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO ABOUT 1100 RPM. AFTER SHFITING AND THE DRIVER TAKING THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCE TO LURCH DUE TO THE HIGH ENGINE SPEED. THIS IS A SURPRISE EVENT EVERY …
Read full complaint
AT VEHICLE START- COLD AMBIENT TEMPS -APPROX 20F AND LOWER, ENGINE GOES TO ABOUT 1800 RPM AND STAYS THERE FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO ABOUT 1100 RPM. AFTER SHFITING AND THE DRIVER TAKING THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCE TO LURCH DUE TO THE HIGH ENGINE SPEED. THIS IS A SURPRISE EVENT EVERY TIME I OR MY WIFE START THIS VEHICLE AND I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. AS A COMPARISON, MY 2003 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER COLD ENGINE RPM NEVER GOES ABOVE 900 RPM AND DOES NOT EXHIBIT THIS LURCH TENDENCY. I COMPLAINED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE MANAGER, AND HE OFFERED NO RESOLUTION- BASICALLY "...THAT'S THE WAY IT IS." THE DEALER HAS NO KNOWN PROCEDURE TO ADJUST THE COLD START ENGINE SPEED TO A LOWER LEVEL. I HAVE A DOCUMENTED SERVICE REPORT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305120
Official recalls
8Oct 18, 2017
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V-429 are not affected by this recall.
Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
May 22, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: 2004-2010 Siennas subject to this recall were subject to recall campaign 10V-160 initiated in 2010. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles. Additionally, model year 1998-2003 Siennas were recalled as part of safety recall 10V-160. Owners of those vehicles that have not had not the remedy performed on their vehicles, should contact their Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.
Jan 16, 2013
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 Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
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. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Additional source detail variants (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 Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
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. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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 Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
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. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Apr 20, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration