TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Sienna airbags problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
4crashes
5injuries
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campaign, but is provided to reassure owners that Toyota stands behind the reliability of our vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe three main airbag problems. First, the passenger occupant detection system malfunctions—passenger airbags stay OFF even when a full-sized adult sits in the seat, or flip between OFF and ON regardless of occupancy, triggering intermittent SRS warnings. One owner's mechanic identified a fault in the occupant classification system; dealers quoted expensive repairs. Second, some SRS warning lights appear with no retrievable diagnostic code, making root-cause diagnosis impossible. Third, and most serious, two crash complaints allege complete airbag non-deployment: one vehicle rolled over at 25 mph and another hit another car head-on at 40 mph—neither deployed any airbags, and both were totaled.
Takata recall service created additional headaches: owners had difficulty completing recalls due to part shortages lasting months, and one owner's airbags reportedly failed after recall service and required a $800 computer board replacement. Some owners found their VINs not listed as recalled in dealer systems despite appearing on NHTSA and settlement websites. Recall status in the NHTSA database took over a year to update after completed repairs, complicating vehicle sales and shipping.
Same Toyota Sienna airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Occupant Classification System malfunction
Passenger airbag status cycles erratically between OFF and ON regardless of whether a passenger is seated. SRS warning light flashes intermittently. Owner reports occupant classification system fault per mechanic diagnosis.
When: Within days of normal operation; no collision history
Symptoms owners cite: SRS airbag check warning flashing on display; Passenger airbag stuck OFF when passenger present; Passenger airbag stuck ON when seat empty; Seat belt chime sounding for passenger seat; SRS warning appearing and disappearing intermittently
Codes mentioned: Occupant classification system fault code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis required; quoted as expensive inspection/repair; unknown parts or cost
SRS warning light without retrievable code
SRS airbag light illuminates but no diagnostic trouble code appears on initial OBDII read. Light disappears after computer reset, returns spontaneously one week later, but code vanishes again before it can be captured.
When: Multiple occurrences over week; no collision history
Symptoms owners cite: SRS airbag light comes on at startup; No error code present on OBDII scan; Light returns after reset; Code clears before can be recorded a second time
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed computer reset; auto parts store unable to capture code due to light clearing upon restart
Passenger occupant detection failure
Passenger airbag OFF indicator remains illuminated even when a full-sized adult occupies the passenger seat. Occupant detection system fails to recognize seated passenger.
When: Reported at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag OFF light stays on continuously with passenger seated; Occupant detection system does not engage airbag for seated passenger
Airbags failed to deploy in impact
Two separate crash complaints where airbags did not deploy during significant frontal/rollover impacts. One incident involved vehicle rollover at 25 mph; second was head-on collision at 40 mph. No deployment recorded in either case.
When: At 815 miles (head-on collision); at 38,500 miles (rollover)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete airbag non-deployment during 25 mph rollover crash; Complete airbag non-deployment during 40 mph head-on collision; Occupants sustained injuries without airbag protection
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled; not taken to dealer; not repaired
SRS fault after Takata recall repair
Following Takata airbag recall service, owner experiences persistent SRS warning light and airbag malfunction. Dealer cites computer board issue requiring $800 repair. Vehicle currently without functioning airbags.
When: After recall replacement service
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light on dashboard; Seat belt light continuously on; No functioning airbags post-repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $800 to replace computer board after airbag replacement work
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall (campaign 18V024000) previously serviced; computer board failure not covered under recall
Takata recall parts shortage and delays
Multiple owners unable to complete Takata airbag recall repairs due to part unavailability. Dealers report months-long backlogs; manufacturers unable to supply replacement inflators. Some owners kept vehicles without functional airbags for extended periods pending parts.
When: Ongoing; spans 2017–2019 based on complaint dates
Symptoms owners cite: Parts not available for recall repair; Dealers quote unacceptable wait times (months); VIN not showing as recalled in dealership systems despite NHTSA listing; Recall status not updated in dealer databases post-repair
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair not completed; owners advised not to use passenger seat pending parts availability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall campaigns 16V858000 and 18V024000; parts distribution failures; database not updated within one year of service completion
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Takata recall. The Toyota dealership says my wife's Toyota is not subject to the airbag recall. Your website- https://www.NHTSA.gov/recall-spotlight/takata-air-bags lists the vehicle as being subject to the recall. Which is correct? Does her car have an airbag subject to recall or not? Thanks.
The passenger air bag light is sometimes off though an adult full size passenger is sitting on the seat
Takata recall my vehicle is on the airbag recall list. NHTSA recall number is 16v858. Recall status is incomplete. I've contacted my dealer a number of times for airbag replacement but was told that there's no arrangement for my vehicle's airbag recall. I understand the deadline for claiming is 27nov2017 so I'm filing this complaint and look forward to airbag replacement asap.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Toyota Sienna?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Toyota Sienna?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 21 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 32,475 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Sienna.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.