TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Toyota Sienna steering problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Toyota Sienna have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Sienna | 15 |
| 2013 Sienna | 11 |
| 2014 Sienna | 8 |
| 2015 Sienna | 11 |
| 2016 Sienna (this page) | 4 |
| 2017 Sienna | 7 |
| 2020 Sienna | 3 |
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 4 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Toyota Sienna, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 6 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 steering 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.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗OEM TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE STEERING SHAFT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ARE NOW BEING USED IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE VMI STEERING EXTENSION. THIS SB NOTIFIES THE TECHNICIANS TO ENSURE THE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE STEERING EXTENSION HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH AT THE FACTORY. THIS WILL BRING THE VAN INTO CONFORMANCE WITH VMI UPDATED PROCESSES
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗OEM TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE STEERING SHAFT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ARE NOW BEING USED IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE VMI STEERING EXTENSION. THIS SB NOTIFIES THE TECHNICIANS TO ENSURE THE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE STEERING EXTENSION HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH AT THE FACTORY. THIS WILL BRING THE VAN INTO CONFORMANCE WITH VMI UPDATED PROCESSES
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: As a result of the removal of the Short Pin, the power source to the steering angle sensor is cut off. When the Short Pin is reinstalled, the Parking Assist Monitor System will be operative, but it cannot display guidelines to assist parking operation because the center position is not recognized by the steering angle sensor. Please initialize the Parking Assist Monitor System after installing the Short Pin during Pre-Delivery Service (PDS).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The steering seized up on my 2016 Toyota van while stopped at a traffic light. I had to get the vehicle towed. There are only 20904 miles on the odometer. Toyota says my warranty is expired. Toyota says I will need a new steering assembly, which I will have to pay is for $3200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota sienna. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The contact was not able to stop the vehicle and the electronic brake warning indicator illuminated. The contact crashed into a road sign. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were minor injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Toyota Sienna?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 18,726 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 $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/2016/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.