2012 Toyota Sienna Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 7%of 247 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Toyota Sienna, 7% of the 247 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Says my rear differential - viscous coupler- is bad and needs to be replaced at a cost oof at least $1,300 and that doesn't include installation. Happened just as car went over 100,000 miles and is covered in rav 4 bc had same problem but not 2012 Sienna nothing happened except it suddenly started not because of anything I did.”
NHTSA complaint #11324915, filed 2020-05, 100,000 miles“When coming to a stop going about 5 MPH towards a stop sign, my van accelerated into traffic. Because the van jolted me into oncoming traffic, it almost caused an accident. It doesn't seem to matter whether I am braking or coasting, the van will accelerate uncontrollably.I have two children and not only am I putting their lives at risk, but mine also. I am not able to drive this vehicle due to how dangerous it is.”
NHTSA complaint #11175789, filed 2019-02, 99,000 miles“My 2012 Toyota Sienna recently began making a loud whining noise from the rear axle area. Upon inspection, we were informed that the differential unit was failing and needed to be replaced. This would cost us between $2,500-$3,000. After some research, I discovered that this is a common problem with the Sienna, likely caused by a design flaw. The same unit was used on the rav-4, and after similar problems surfaced it was recalled and fixed by Toyota. …”
NHTSA complaint #11365250, filed 2020-10, 95,000 miles“My 2012 Sienna awd xle has 103k miles and has a whirring noise coming from the rear differential area for a while now. The pitch and volume is proportional to speed and is louder as speed increases. My research tells me this is a common defect with the coupling bearings in front of the rear differential. It seems that rav4 owners got a recall for the same issue, but Sienna owners did not. Toyota has redesigned this part on later models to avoid the issue. Hope you can get this resolved. Thanks.”
NHTSA complaint #11287814, filed 2019-12, 100,000 miles“Unit is producing a speed dependent whine from the rear differential consistent with a bearing failure in the viscous coupler. Issue first observed with approximately 98,000 miles on odometer. This appears to be a common component failure on many Toyota awd vehicles manufactured in the last 15-20 years, and the component in question may be under-engineered to perform as expected in normal driving conditions. Replacement part costs $1300+ from Toyota, not including installation.”
NHTSA complaint #11326947, filed 2020-06, 98,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134401Apr 13, 2016TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for inspecting and adjusting World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) level at normal vehicle operating temperature…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 5% |
| 2020 | 8 | 21% |
| 2019 | 7 | 16% |
| 2018 | 20 | 28% |
| 2017 | 38 | 24% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% |
| 2013 | 14 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 7% |
| 2011 | 30 | 5% |
| 2010 | 17 | 10% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 38 | 9% |
| 2007 | 31 | 9% |
| 2006 | 40 | 4% |
| 2005 | 48 | 4% |
| 2004 | 89 | 4% |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 67 | 18% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 23 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Sienna
84 complaintsBody and structure
72 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsSteering
15 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 27, 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