NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
7 reportsClear category filter90,000 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
WHEN DRIVING IN PERFECTLY DRY CONDITIONS AND GOING ANYWHERE FROM 30-70 MPH ON A WINDING ROAD OR HIGHWAY, THE VSC LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE ALARM WILL SOUND AND YOU CAN'T ACCELERATE. IT'S VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE GO FOR A DRIVE ON A WINDING ROAD OR HIGHWAY.…
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WHEN DRIVING IN PERFECTLY DRY CONDITIONS AND GOING ANYWHERE FROM 30-70 MPH ON A WINDING ROAD OR HIGHWAY, THE VSC LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE ALARM WILL SOUND AND YOU CAN'T ACCELERATE. IT'S VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE GO FOR A DRIVE ON A WINDING ROAD OR HIGHWAY. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER SIENNA OWNERS. IT'S CLEARLY A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AS ALL THE REPAIR SHOPS WE HAVE GONE TO CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11365893
140,000 miles · Aug 16, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
AS I DRIVE ON DRY ROADS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 - 65MPH, MY CAR INDICATOR LIGHTS AND ALARM SOUND OFF ABOUT VSC (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL) AND SLIPPERY ROAD LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD. MY VEHICLE'S STEERING AND BRAKING ARE AFFECTED BY IT. IT STARTS TO RATTLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKING PUMPS - CAUSING A REDUCTION IN SPEED AND CO…
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AS I DRIVE ON DRY ROADS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 - 65MPH, MY CAR INDICATOR LIGHTS AND ALARM SOUND OFF ABOUT VSC (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL) AND SLIPPERY ROAD LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD. MY VEHICLE'S STEERING AND BRAKING ARE AFFECTED BY IT. IT STARTS TO RATTLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKING PUMPS - CAUSING A REDUCTION IN SPEED AND CONTROL FOR THE DRIVER. IT CAUSED ME TO FEAR A POSSIBLE VEHICULAR ACCIDENT SO MUCH THAT I PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM THEN DISAPPEARS AND DOESN'T REAPPEAR UNTIL I ENCOUNTER A SIMILAR DRIVING CONDITION. I FEAR THAT IF THIS OCCURS ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY, IT WILL CAUSE ME TO GET INTO A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE ABRUPT LOSS OF CONTROL. MY MINIVAN WAS PURCHASED TO KEEP MY FAMILY 'SAFER' AND THIS EXPERIENCE IS CAUSING ME TO FEAR USING THIS VEHICLE.AFTER CONDUCTING AN INTERNET SEARCH IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING TO TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES BETWEEN MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2008. MECHANICS DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO FIX OTHER THAN RESETTING THE SENSORS; WHICH DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BUT JUST DELAYS ITS REAPPEARANCE. IN ALL CASES, I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ONLY WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35MPH AND HIGHER. IT'S OCCURRED ON DRY AND WET ROADS, USUALLY WHILE ON A CURVED ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11349661
160,000 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
AT RANDOM SPEEDS, ON CURVES AND STRAIGHTAWAYS, THE TRACTION LIGHTS ALARMS AND ENGAGES THE BRAKES. THIS SEEMS REALLY DANGEROUS. OUR MECHANIC DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS THE CAUSE OR HOW TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #11270892
130,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED A FEW WEEKS AGO. THIS PAST WEEKEND ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED. WHEN DRIVING OFF THE DEALER AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT, I NOTICED THE ABS AND VSC LIGHTS WERE ON. TURNED BACK AND TOOK THE MINIVAN BACK TO THE DEALER. NEXT DAY SERVICE MGR SAID ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE ABS ACTUATOR …
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I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED A FEW WEEKS AGO. THIS PAST WEEKEND ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED. WHEN DRIVING OFF THE DEALER AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT, I NOTICED THE ABS AND VSC LIGHTS WERE ON. TURNED BACK AND TOOK THE MINIVAN BACK TO THE DEALER. NEXT DAY SERVICE MGR SAID ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE ABS ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A $2500 PART, PLUS LABOR.
NHTSA ODI #11142372
186,000 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
INTERMITTENT VSC ACTIVATION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND DRIVING STRAIGHT FROM A STOP POSITION. THIS CONDITION IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL VSC LIGHT AND AUDIBLE WARNING BUZZER TURNING ON AT THE SAME TIME. BRAKES ACTIVATED AT SAME TIME CAUSING SKID
NHTSA ODI #11022046
122,000 miles · Mar 17, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering
THE SLIP INDICATOR SENDS A FALSE POSITIVE WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO APPLY AUTOMATICALLY WHEN I GO OVER 10 MPH. THE ROAD IS DRY, WEATHER CLEAR AND THERE IS NO POOR CONDITIONS FOR DRIVINGTHE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHILE I AM DRIVING IT CAN COME TO AN ABRUPT HALT AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME COULD CRASH INTO ME.THE VEHICLE OVERR…
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THE SLIP INDICATOR SENDS A FALSE POSITIVE WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO APPLY AUTOMATICALLY WHEN I GO OVER 10 MPH. THE ROAD IS DRY, WEATHER CLEAR AND THERE IS NO POOR CONDITIONS FOR DRIVINGTHE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE WHILE I AM DRIVING IT CAN COME TO AN ABRUPT HALT AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME COULD CRASH INTO ME.THE VEHICLE OVERRIDES MY ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AND I AM SUBJECT TO THE 'COMPUTER'S DECISION TO BRAKE UNNECESSARILY. I HAD A DEALER LOOK INTO THIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAKES. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER, BUT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SOME OF WHICH ARE ON YOUTUBE AND TOYOTA SEEMS TO BE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP I NEED MY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO BE SAFE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10966606
135,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (VSC) IS MALFUNCTIONING. AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE SYSTEM GOES OFF AND BEGINS APPLYING THE BREAKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO SLICK OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS. IT HAPPENS IN COLD AND DRY HOT WEA…
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THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (VSC) IS MALFUNCTIONING. AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE SYSTEM GOES OFF AND BEGINS APPLYING THE BREAKS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO SLICK OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS. IT HAPPENS IN COLD AND DRY HOT WEATHER. IT IS ALSO NOT RELATED TO SPEED AS THE PROBLEM CONTINUES WHEN I DRIVE WELL BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO THE DEALER, AND BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY.
NHTSA ODI #10865397
Official recalls
10Oct 18, 2017
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V-429 are not affected by this recall.
Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
May 22, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: 2004-2010 Siennas subject to this recall were subject to recall campaign 10V-160 initiated in 2010. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles. Additionally, model year 1998-2003 Siennas were recalled as part of safety recall 10V-160. Owners of those vehicles that have not had not the remedy performed on their vehicles, should contact their Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.
Sep 26, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
Remedy: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Apr 20, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Jun 25, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND THE GVWR ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INSUFFICIENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WERE ACCESSORIZED THROUGH VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTERS AND HAD ACCESSORIES INSTALLED THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE GVWR VALUE. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," AND 49 CFR PART 567.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE GVWR IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLES.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS INSTRUCTING THEM TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA OR LEXUS DEALER FOR AN EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AN INSTALLATION OF THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABEL, IF NECESSARY, AND A CORRECTION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Jun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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