2012 Toyota Sienna: engine knocking or ticking

6 of the 247 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Sienna describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 58,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 28 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2014
1
2013
1
2012
6
2011
1
2010
2
2009
1
2008
4
2007
5
2006
2
2005
1
2004
5
2003
1
2002
2
2001
1
2000
4
1999
1
1998
2

What owners say

Filed Jan 29, 2018 · Steering · 80,000 miles · MO

Steering knock is experienced at speeds of approximately 35mph and less whenever steering left or right. This condition was first noticed at approximately 80k miles and has gotten worse over the next 50k miles. The knock is not only felt in the steering wheel, but it has become an audible noise as well. I've read several complaints where dealers have fixed this known problem, however I haven't seen any recalls on this or any information from toyota stating that this is a known condition and is safe to continue operation. Until toyota acknowledges this as a known problem and determines whether or not it is a safety issue, then I'll continue to operate my 2012 sienna with the understanding that it is safe to operate and just put up with the knock. It would certainly be great if toyota would at least put its customer's mind at ease by at least making a statement about the condition and whether it is safe to continue operation of vehicles with this condition.

Filed Oct 19, 2017 · Steering · 54,000 miles · IL

We have 54k miles on our van and heard a knocking noise when we would make a turn (right or left). I brought to dealership and they said we needed to replace the intermediate steering shaft. The cost was $750. I looked online and see previous recalls for toyota for this same problem. I also searched and found several complaints about this same problem with newer year siennas like mine. This is obviously a defect that is still impacting toyota and consumers. Toyota was not willing to listen to our problem or help in any way.

Filed Apr 7, 2017 · Steering · 58,000 miles · OH

Knocking/bumping sounds coming from lower steering column when turning - dealership diagnosis was that the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · Engine · 70,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota sienna. While driving various speeds, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2013 · Fuel system · 836 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota sienna. The contact stated that there was a knocking and swooshing sound coming from the fuel tank. The noise would become louder when the contact was driving at lower speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer replaced the fuel tank but the repair did not correct the problem. The manufacturer was notified who stated that the noises were normal and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 836 and the current mileage was 5,384. Updated 2/12/13

Filed Apr 28, 2012 · Engine, Steering · 1,500 miles · NY

Joining highway in a situation where vehicles giving way cause hesitation and then give way causing braking then acceleration repeatedly, transmission refused to downshift on kick down, vehicle would not accelerate, actually slowed significantly forcing following vehicles to brake .vehicle eventually began to pick up speed.generally poor response from transmission in all modes. Transmission drops out of drive at low speeds causing engine to race before taking up drive, very hard to operate vehicle smoothly.. Excessive engine vibration and noise for this price point ,known more refined diesels knocking from steering column on constant radius turns when making small steering corrections, detectable at low and moderate to high speed.