VehicleVerdict

2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid sits mid-pack among Sienna Hybrid years: 44 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 59, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

44

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Sienna Hybrid years?

Sienna Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted286 complaints2021: 44 complaints2022: 21 complaints2023: 74 complaints2024: 80 complaints2025: 286 complaints2026: 10 complaints
Sienna Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sienna Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1227%
Visibility & Wipers511%
Brakes49%
Body & Structure37%
Engine37%
Seats37%
Other25%
Electrical System25%
Lighting25%
Suspension25%
Transmission25%
Fuel System12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Driver Assistance12%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V086000SeatsFebruary 13, 2025 · 167,802 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Sienna Hybrid vehicles. The bolts for the seatbacks on the third-row seat assemblies may not be tightened properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints," 207, "Seating Systems," and 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Consequence

An improperly tightened seatback may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will tighten the seat assembly bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA05.

23V865000AirbagsDecember 20, 2023 · 999,901 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

22V239000Electrical SystemApril 13, 2022 · 458,110 units

Defect

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SRS light has been showing up on the dashboard, off and on for 3 weeks. Diagnostic reader completed by the dealership states it is an airbag module malfunction of the 2nd row left passenger seat. The seat has never been removed, there have been zero accidents and no damage to the seat or wiring. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 29, 2026

“2021 SIENNA XLE WITH PLUS PACKAGE AND REAR ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE. WHEN REAR SCREEN DOWN (IN USE) THE ENTERTAINMENT SCREEN BLOCK THE WHOLE REAR MIRROR. WE UNABLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN BEHIND. TOYOTA SHOULD INSTALL DIGITAL REAR VIEW MIRROR IF CAR COME WITH RES. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WE EITHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 17, 2021

“THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CONDITION POOR VISABILITY TO OPERATOR ( REAR WINDOW) WHEN BRAKE IS ACTIVATED IN LOW OR DARK LIGHTING CONDITION(S) THERE IS REFLECTION OFF GLASS AND REAR DEFROST ELEMENT(S) WHICH CAUSE LIMITED REAR VISABILITY OUT OF REAR WINDOW GLASS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 25, 2020

“The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed a melted spot, almost identical on the driver’s and front passenger’s lower back rest on the seats. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · March 10, 2020

“The contact owned a 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The vehicle was parked in the driveway when an explosion occurred; the vehicle burned down. The contact was inside the residence when a loud noise was heard, and the house "rocked." The contact ran to the front of the house to investigate and noticed…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 26, 2026 · fire

2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 44 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sienna Hybrid year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2021 Sienna Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (12 complaints), visibility & wipers (5 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Sienna Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sienna Hybrid years to avoid are 2025. The cleanest record among Sienna Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.