2021 Toyota Sienna Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 80about this part
- Share
- 48%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,800miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Toyota Sienna, 48% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,800 miles. 8 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.
“When braking under a load - such as braking while descending a hill - the vehicle will be slowing as anticipated when the brakes are applied, and then for a split second the vehicle feels like the brakes disengage. The pedal pressure doesn't change. The vehicle may not actually speed up, but it definitely feels like it's no longer decelerating. Then a split second later the brakes kick in again and the car responds as expected. This happens nearly every day I drive the vehicle and has since it was new. I've got 28000 miles on it now. …”
NHTSA complaint #11483601, filed 2022-09, 28,000 miles“My van been giving me some weird issues lately. When I’m going downhill, my brakes don’t seem to work well! I have to push it all the way down, like a spongy. It doesn’t break until I put on the emergency brake. the seat broke only weighed 185 pounds! the wiper blades don’t do a great job cleaning the driver’s side after I bought new ones. Dealership wipers”
NHTSA complaint #11658450, filed 2025-05“When breaking, mostly during downhill, the brakes feel like they simply “let go” for an instant. Most times this is very short and It feels like a typical downshift during breaking in an ICE car. However, last time it really gave me a lurch and I almost ended up falling off a cliff face. Many reports all over the internet but nothing from Toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #11597424, filed 2024-06“Sometimes when each of us 2 are slowing to a stop while applying the brake, the Sienna will lunge forward. This unexpected event may cause a rear-end collision if too close. Also, it is enough to cause us to hit our head on the head rest. Can’t understand why this happening. We are sure we only have our foot on the brake and not the accelerator.”
NHTSA complaint #11592941, filed 2024-06“I have this car for 1 year, and I’ve have problems when I am driving and I have use the brake the car stop and keeping going forward ,I already had a accident hitting a car in front me,I’ve see a lot complain about this problems and the Toyota is not getting fixed and keeping saying that is the driver fault,I work as a driver I need this problem get fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11572459, filed 2024-02Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 62 | 52% |
| 2021 | 80 | 48% |
| 2020 | 3 | 8% |
| 2019 | 1 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 7% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 18 | 8% |
| 2014 | 10 | 6% |
| 2013 | 12 | 7% |
| 2012 | 11 | 4% |
| 2011 | 32 | 5% |
| 2010 | 10 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 4% |
| 2008 | 43 | 10% |
| 2007 | 27 | 7% |
| 2006 | 73 | 7% |
| 2005 | 68 | 6% |
| 2004 | 88 | 4% |
| 2003 | 13 | 12% |
| 2002 | 24 | 13% |
| 2001 | 19 | 11% |
| 2000 | 39 | 11% |
| 1999 | 15 | 7% |
| 1998 | 44 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota Sienna
29 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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