Toyota Sienna Service Brakes Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 283 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 283 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Toyota Sienna across 22 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (50). The words owners use most often: “traction control” (17% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Traction control: mentioned in 47 of 283 complaints (17%)

At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?

Based on 216 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles19 · 9%
10k–25k miles19 · 9%
25k–50k miles23 · 11%
50k–75k miles15 · 7%
75k–100k miles27 · 13%
100k–150k miles60 · 28%
150k+ miles53 · 25%

How serious are the reports?

Of 283 complaints, 34 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 11 an injury.

Toyota Sienna service brakes complaints by model year

Peak: 2006, with 50 complaints
1998: 119982000: 42001: 320012002: 32003: 120032004: 482005: 3820052006: 50502007: 1120072008: 282009: 620092010: 62011: 1820112012: 112013: 1220132014: 102015: 1620152016: 12017: 1120172018: 22019: 120192020: 2

n = 283 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Sienna25%—
2019 Sienna12%6,800
2018 Sienna23%5,018
2017 Sienna117%14,500
2016 Sienna11%14,300
2015 Sienna167%33,087
2014 Sienna106%56,250
2013 Sienna127%61,000
2012 Sienna114%38,303
2011 Sienna183%32,000
2010 Sienna63%92,000
2009 Sienna63%47,250
2008 Sienna287%120,000
2007 Sienna113%111,000
2006 Sienna505%136,175
2005 Sienna383%116,500
2004 Sienna482%140,000
2003 Sienna11%75,000
2002 Sienna32%60,000
2001 Sienna32%230,000
2000 Sienna41%180,000
1998 Sienna10%137,500

When owners reported it

Peak: 2015, with 35 complaints
2012: 112012112013: 212013212014: 272014272015: 352015352016: 172016172017: 232017232018: 282018282019: 292019292020: 282020282021: 232021232022: 162022162023: 162023162024: 2202422025: 720257

n = 283 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJul 25, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V553000 · 303 vehicles

Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Problem: Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.

Risk: The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2019. Owners may contact Vantage customer service at 1-800-488-9082.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 4, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V410000 · 705 vehicles

Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Problem: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system.

Risk: The reduction in the braking system pressure may cause a loss of braking power in the rear braking system, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will install an adaptor to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumApr 3, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V211000 · 6,046 vehicles

Model years: 2017

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.

Risk: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.

Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkagesDec 13, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V620000 · 94,126 vehicles

Model years: 2011

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 sienna vehicles. The brake stop lamp switch is mounted on a small bracket welded on the left side of the service brake pedal support assembly. Due to its proximity to the parking brake pedal, in limited circumstances the stop lamp switch bracket could be damaged by the operator's foot during parking brake application.

Risk: This could result in brake drag with associated brake noise, vibration, and/or illumination of the brake warning light. Braking effectiveness could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the bracket assembly free of charge. Toyota plans to mail an interim owner notification in the middle of january 2011, to advise owners of the recall. A second letter will be mailed when parts are available to complete repairs. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage: ~204,800 Incident Date: [XXX] Recent Service: Oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, and multipoint inspection performed on November 10, 2025 at Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg (Maryland). Description of the Defect: On [XXX] while driving…

Received Nov 17, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11699835

Catalizador caUsando bajas emisiones, consecuencia encendido de codigos de luz de advertencia de tablero como luz indicadora de falla (Check Engine). LUZ DE ADVERTENCIA ABS. LUZ INDICADORA DE DERRAPE VSC-TRAC Y LUZ DE ADVERTENCIA DE PRESION DE NEUMATICOS. AL VIAJAR POR CARRETERA SIMPLEMENTE SE…

Received Oct 23, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11695158

My 2012 Toyota Sienna having problem while braking on highway 65mph or above, when i hit brake it's start shaking so bad and brake doesn't work properly. i believe it is sway bar link or lower control arm. even i had replaced once, it didn't helped and again i claimed warranty and replaced other…

Received Jul 16, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11674058

The Traction Control System commonly malfunctions while making turns on curving road sections. I will lose power through turns as the TCS light blinks on my dashboard and makes a beeping sound. On some occasions the brakes will automatically engage in the tire that the car perceives as experiencing…

Received May 9, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11659970

I have had this car for 7 years. Started having issues a year ago and despite bringing it to Toyota 2x, they cannot tell me what the issue is. I will be driving on a regular flat paved road when the car will suddenly brake and pull me towards the side of the road. I get the ABS code sometimes and…

Received Apr 2, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11652418
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Sienna (XL40) Washington DC, USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Toyota Siennas have service brakes problems?

No. NHTSA has 283 owner complaints about service brakes for the Toyota Sienna. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Toyota Sienna service brakes?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Toyota Sienna?

The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 47 of 283 complaints.

Other Toyota Sienna problems

See all Toyota Sienna problems.