When traveling around 30 to 35 MPH (well under speed limit) on dry clear roads, on left turns (often slightly downhill) suddenly the vsc and slip/trac lights up, the ABS system is activated / brakes engage. Foot is not on the brake and speeds are not excessive. I am not using run-flat tires, but that doesn't seem to make a difference for others online. I see dozens of similar complaints online…
2013 Toyota Sienna steering problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Sienna, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Sienna has multiple documented steering complaints ranging from clunking noises during turns and whining at low speeds to serious safety events like steering seizure and involuntary brake engagement. Intermediate shaft problems appear recurrent even after replacement, and some VSC/ABS false-activation issues persist despite extensive component replacement.
Owners report several distinct steering problems on the 2013 Sienna. The most common is clunking or clicking noise when turning the wheel at low speeds; multiple owners cite the steering intermediate shaft as the likely source, and one owner had that shaft replaced three times without resolution. At low speeds, some hear a whining noise when turning the wheel, suspected to be the power steering pump or related components.
A more serious issue involves the vehicle's VSC (traction control) and ABS lights illuminating unexpectedly during low-speed turns on dry roads, with the brakes engaging involuntarily and the vehicle jerking or chattering even though the driver isn't touching the brake pedal. This started around 156,000 miles and has escalated. Owners have replaced front speed sensors, brake pads, rotors, and steering angle sensors without stopping it. Online sources point to worn rack bushings, yaw sensors, or control arm bushing wear; one owner reports rack and pinion replacement resolved it, while another says it didn't.
One critical complaint involved steering seizure combined with brake booster failure at 94,000 miles—the steering wheel locked while brakes failed during low-speed driving. A grinding noise during turns at 93,800 miles was attributed to worn struts. Another owner's steering column stuck and required out-of-pocket repair. Owners describe these as serious safety issues and cite numerous complaints in online forums about this model year.
Same Toyota Sienna steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Steering intermediate shaft clunking/knocking
Clicking, knocking, or clunking noise during steering wheel turns at low speeds. Owners and forums identify the steering intermediate shaft as the likely culprit. One owner reports having the steering shaft replaced three times with persistent recurrence.
When: Low-speed turns; one occurrence at 104,900 miles (just past 100k warranty); another at unspecified mileage with ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise when turning steering wheel left or right; Clicking/knocking sound during turns in motion; Cracking noise during U-turn attempt
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had steering shaft replaced 3 times without resolution
Steering column binding and noise
Steering column sticks and produces clunking noise. Owner paid out-of-pocket for repair, citing it as a serious safety issue. No details on the underlying cause or the repair performed.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column made clunking noise; Steering column stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid out-of-pocket repair cost (amount not stated)
Power steering whining noise at low speed
Whining noise audible when turning the steering wheel at very low speeds (15–25 mph or less). Owner suspects the power steering pump, pulley, or belt as the source and notes this complaint appears frequently in online forums.
When: At 1 year/unspecified mileage on 2013 model
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise in background when turning steering wheel; Occurs at very low speeds (15–25 mph or less); Described as annoying and disturbing
Steering binding and noise on acceleration
Binding and noise occur in the steering wheel specifically when turning left or right while accelerating from a stop. Limited narrative detail provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Binding in steering wheel when turning; Noise in steering wheel when turning and accelerating; Occurs when turning left or right and accelerating from stop
VSC/ABS false activation linked to steering geometry issues
Traction control (VSC) and ABS lights illuminate and brakes engage involuntarily during low-speed turns on dry roads, with no driver input on brake pedal. Begins around 3 months before reporting at 156k miles and escalates in frequency. Multiple repair attempts (front speed sensors, pads, rotors, steering angle sensor) have failed. Online sources suggest rack and pinion wear, loose rack bushings, yaw sensor, steering sensor, or worn steering linkage control arm bushings as potential causes; one forum post mentions alignment and zero-point calibration provided temporary relief only. One owner reports rack and pinion replacement fixed the issue; another says it did not.
When: 156,000 miles; started approximately 3 months prior and increased in frequency
Symptoms owners cite: VSC and Slip/Trac lights illuminate; ABS system activates and brakes engage without pedal input; Vehicle jerks to right or left; Chattering/vibration during event; Occurs on left turns, often slightly downhill; Occurs at 20–35 mph on gradual curves or randomly; No traction control or ABS fault codes detected
Repairs/costs cited: Parts replaced without resolution: front speed sensors, brake pads and rotors, steering angle sensor. Online sources suggest rack bushings may be worn (expensive rack replacement recommended); yaw sensor or steering sensor also cited as culprits; control arm bushing wear noted; alignment and zero-point calibration provided temporary relief in some cases
Steering column seized with brake booster failure
During low-speed driving (15 mph), the brake pedal traveled to the floor and brakes failed entirely. The steering wheel seized simultaneously, and the vehicle accelerated without operator input. Diagnosed as brake booster failure requiring replacement. Also occurred during same incident: rear passenger door latch detached when owner attempted to open door post-repair; dealer did not diagnose or repair door issue.
When: 94,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal traveled to floorboard; Steering wheel seized; Vehicle accelerated without warning; Brakes failed to stop vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replaced by independent mechanic
Grinding noise during turns attributed to strut wear
Grinding noise when turning left and right at slower speeds. Mechanic diagnosed worn struts requiring replacement. Vehicle has 93,800 miles and is under 5 years old, potentially still in warranty period. Owner reports many others experienced similar complaints at similar mileage and notes unusual tire wear (every 25,000 miles).
When: 93,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when turning left and right at slower speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Struts replacement recommended; repair cost estimated at $750
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Toyota Sienna?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 49,900 and 93,800 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,900; a quarter make it past 93,800. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.