Toyota has announced a recall affecting Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivans from the 2021 to 2025 model years in the United States. The recall, disclosed this week, centers on a manufacturing defect involving improperly tightened bolts in the third-row seats, posing a potential safety risk to occupants.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem stems from bolts connecting the 60/40 split third-row seatbacks to their recliner assemblies. These bolts, critical for securing the seatbacks, may not have been tightened to the proper specifications during production. In the event of a crash, loose bolts could compromise the seats’ ability to withstand impact, increasing the risk of injury to passengers seated in the third row.
The issue was first identified in December 2024 during a routine inspection at Toyota’s supplier, Toyota Boshoku Indiana, where a seatback bolt was found to have low torque. Further investigation revealed that a bolt torque check could be intermittently bypassed during assembly, leading to the potential defect across a substantial number of vehicles.
Toyota has not specified what percentage of the recalled minivans are affected, but the recall encompasses nearly all fourth-generation Siennas manufactured between October 13, 2020, and January 27, 2025.
Toyota has outlined a straightforward fix for the issue. Beginning March 31, 2025, the company will notify affected owners by mail, with all notifications expected to be completed by mid-April. Owners will be instructed to bring their Sienna minivans to an authorized Toyota dealership, where technicians will inspect the third-row seat bolts and tighten them to the correct specifications at no cost. The process is expected to be quick, ensuring minimal inconvenience for customers.
For Sienna owners to confirm whether their vehicle is part of the recall, Toyota has provided resources to check status ahead of the official notification period. Owners can visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their minivan is affected. Toyota customer service is also available at 1-800-331-4331 for additional support.