Over 167,000 Toyota Sienna minivans recalled due to seat issue

Toyota is recalling 167,802 Sienna minivans because certain bolts in the third-row seat assemblies of these vehicles may not have been properly tightened during assembly.

The recall encompasses 2021 through 2025 models, representing every model year of the current-generation Sienna. Toyota’s minivan received its first redesign in roughly a decade for the 2021 model year, gaining a standard hybrid powertrain and more expressive styling. That combination helped make the 2021 Sienna one of The Car Connection’s Best Car To Buy 2021 nominees.

Since the redesign, though, an error at a specific manufacturing site of a specific supplier may have led to third-row seat bolts not being torqued to the proper specification, according to the NHTSA. The bolts in question attach the backs of 60/40 split-folding third-row seats to recliner plates on each side. If they’re loose, the seat may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Toyota estimates that just 1% of the recalled vehicles actually have this issue, which the automaker said was discovered during a routine inspection at a production facility.

Dealers will tighten the third-row seat-back bolts free of charge. Owners who have paid for this or any other related work out of their own pockets will be reimbursed. Toyota plans to mail owner notification letters starting Mar. 31. Owners can also call the automaker’s customer service department at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s reference number for this recall is 25TA05.