2012 Toyota Sienna Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 6%of 247 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Toyota Sienna, 6% of the 247 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1) power sliding door opened while driving; 2) strer wheel always stay on right. I took my van to delaer (mark jacobson) and they have not fixed the sliding door after I report the problem with sliding door. After I started searching on internet and found that there is recall also. I called them there is a recall but they did not do anything. Recall date: november 22, 2016 dealer reference id: g04 NHTSA recall id: 16v858”
NHTSA complaint #11047282, filed 2017-11, 10 miles“Steering knock is experienced at speeds of approximately 35mph and less whenever steering left or right. This condition was first noticed at approximately 80k miles and has gotten worse over the next 50k miles. The knock is not only felt in the steering wheel, but it has become an audible noise as well. I've read several complaints where dealers have fixed this known problem, however I haven't seen any recalls on this or any information from Toyota stating that this is a known condition and is safe to continue operation. …”
NHTSA complaint #11065753, filed 2018-01, 80,000 miles“We have 54k miles on our van and heard a knocking noise when we would make a turn (right or left). I brought to dealership and they said we needed to replace the intermediate steering shaft. The cost was $750. I looked online and see previous recalls for Toyota for this same problem. I also searched and found several complaints about this same problem with newer year siennas like mine. This is obviously a defect that is still impacting Toyota and consumers. Toyota was not willing to listen to our problem or help in any way.”
NHTSA complaint #11034726, filed 2017-10, 54,000 miles“The vehicle is making clicking noise when wheels are turned and the vehicle is in low speeds forward and in reverse. It appears that the clicking noise comes from the steering system and/or wheels. The clicking sound is becoming louder and louder. Also, it appears that the wheels jerk slightly when turned left/right and in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #10907023, filed 2016-09, 40,000 miles“2012 Toyota Sienna developed a clunk in steering system while turning from a stopped position. The clunk can be felt through both the steering wheel and floor. This is caused by a well-known safety problem Toyota has had with several other models including rav4, highlander, and camry (some of which had recalls). Toyota is pushing the cost of their mistakes on its customers. This is an ongoing problem, along with others, with Toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #11292250, filed 2019-12, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 7 | 4% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 11 | 5% |
| 2014 | 8 | 5% |
| 2013 | 11 | 6% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 24 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 6% |
| 2009 | 12 | 6% |
| 2008 | 33 | 8% |
| 2007 | 12 | 3% |
| 2006 | 61 | 6% |
| 2005 | 79 | 7% |
| 2004 | 159 | 8% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 8 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% |
| 1999 | 21 | 10% |
| 1998 | 25 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Sienna
84 complaintsBody and structure
72 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsWheels
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology