The fuel filler door assembly on this 2017 Toyota Sienna failed structurally due to a defective hinge mechanism. This defect directly compromises a critical vehicle safety system. The Sienna is engineered with a physical safety interlock cable that links the fuel door to the driver-side sliding passenger door. This system is designed to prevent the heavy power-sliding door from operating while the fuel cap is off, protecting occupants from injury and preventing the door from violently striking a gas station fuel pump nozzle during refueling. Because the fuel door assembly failed, the safety interlock mechanism was compromised, presenting an immediate risk of fuel pump damage, fuel spillage, or passenger injury from the sliding door. Toyota corporate previously issued a Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) to address this specific structural defect. However, my local franchised Toyota dealership refused to preform comprehensive repair, claiming they "only cover the pin". This dealer non-compliance forced me to seek immediate out-of-pocket repairs at an adjoining facility to restore the vehicle's structural safety interlock system. Toyota Corporate is refusing to remediate this safety-related failure. I have made several attempts to resolve this directly with Toyota Corporate (6 or more), without success. This included several phone calls, and a letter written to the Toyota Brand Engagement Center, which went unanswered.
Toyota Sienna fuel pump problems
31 of the 8,561 owner complaints about the Toyota Sienna describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 31
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 30,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 11Hesitation 4Check engine light 3Loss of power 2Jerking 2Won't start 1Fuel smell 1Fire or smoke 1
What owners say
Sluggish start when hot - fuel pump leak into engine when hot, causing starter issues, wears out starter, causes other stress on engine. Common issue in Toyota Siennas. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving at speed, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of engine power and stalled in traffic. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who found a failed factory-installed Denso fuel pump module. This failure mirrors Toyota Safety Recall 20TA02 (the federal safety agency Campaign 20V012) for the exact same model year 2017 Toyota Sienna, but my specific VIN is currently excluded from the recall list. The un-recalled defective component created an immediate highway safety hazard as me and my family were left stranded in the middle of the road. We waited for hours at the risk of oncoming traffic until we were able to have a tow truck lift the van and take to the nearest repair facility (an independent service center - Goodyear Auto Service). The repair facility diagnosed the problem and confirmed that the fuel pump failed to generate enough pressure causing the vehicle to stall and not start again. To correct the problem, the fuel pump was replaced with an OEM toyota fuel pump module assembly.
The vehicle is a 2020 Toyota Sienna. While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning, creating a dangerous situation and loss of power. This occurred while transporting children, increasing the safety risk. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failure of the low-pressure fuel pump. The problem appears intermittently — sometimes the vehicle runs normally, and other times it stalls or loses power. The check engine light has turned on and off. This issue matches the known defect related to the Denso fuel pump recall affecting many Toyota vehicles from similar model years. However, my VIN is not included in the recall. This is a serious safety concern because the engine can shut off unexpectedly while driving, which could lead to an accident. I believe this vehicle may have the same defective component as those included in the recall, even though it is not currently listed. The issue has been confirmed by an independent mechanic and the vehicle is available for inspection if needed.
Subject: Safety Defect Complaint – 2017 Toyota Sienna (VIN: [XXX] ) Safety Division, I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2017 Toyota Sienna, VIN [XXX] . In June 2023, while traveling on I-81 South in Virginia with my family of seven, the van stalled suddenly and emitted white smoke from under the hood, then the engine completely failed. The vehicle had only 111,000 miles. The repair would have cost $15,000, and I had to sell the van in 2024 for $4,000, suffering significant financial loss. Toyota informed me no recall applies to my VIN, although many 2017 Siennas experienced fuel pump failures causing stalling. As a person with disability and serious health issues, this incident caused extreme stress, hardship, and risk to my family. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this potential safety defect to determine whether other 2017 Siennas are affected. Sincerely, Your Name Phone Number Address INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Hi, I’d like to report a serious issue with my 2018 Toyota Sienna related to the recent fuel system recall. Since the repair, the vehicle has leaked all of its gasoline not once, but three separate times. One of those times, my family was inside the vehicle, and the smell of gas was overwhelming. The car wouldn’t start, and it was clearly an unsafe situation. Now the dealership is charging me $1,400 to replace the fuel pressure hose and clamp, which, after thorough research and review, appears to be directly related to the process they followed when replacing the recalled fuel pump. I’ve also tried contacting the service manager, but I haven’t received a call back. That’s why I’m now requesting that Toyota open a formal case to investigate this properly. I believe this repair should be covered, and I’m asking for support from Toyota directly.
October of 2024 my van stalled while I was driving. The van was towed to an auto shop. The shop suspected a battery & alternator so replaced it. Later that same week I filled my tank at Delta Sonic and immediately proceeded to the car wash. My van stalled in the car wash. Once I was pushed out I had it towed again. I drove it for a few weeks and filled up the tank at Delta Sonic but this time the van didn’t start at all. Towed the van again. Shop thinks my issue is resolved- did a complete check of everything & returned my van to me. A week or so goes by and I filled my tank late at night and it wouldn’t start after fill up. A tow was not available. Scared and frustrated I called multiple people for help. Two hours pass, before I try to start the van again. It starts. Now I am starting to correlate a fuel fill up with my van not starting after re-fueling. My safety and my grandchild’s safety was jeopardized when my van stalled while driving in an extremely busy roadway. The next time, Multiple people had to push me out of the car wash and the last time I was forced to sit at gas pumps waiting for help. I stop filling my tank to full and take the van to Toyota. They confirmed the fuel pump was the issue and fixed it.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle shut off independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times due to the failure. The contact stated that the failure began in 2019 but had become a persistent failure. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under of an unknown recall and the fuel pump was replaced in 2020; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
At 70000 miles and around 9/1/2023, started to notice our brake stop suddenly steep down pedal when braking at 45mph or higher. Problem starts after fuel pump replacement recall completed by dealership August 2023. Check recall and campaign program, my vehicle VIN specifically not on the recall list for brake booster vacuum pump. I thinks Toyota HQ should take my vehicle into consideration since my vehicle is a 2017 Sienna. Contact HQ they refused to offer to diagnosis nor help replace if applicable. Due to your vin not on the recall, your on your expense.
Car was recalled for fuel pump and I repaired in 8/2020 with approximately 11,190 miles. I had complained that car, since time of purchase and had 4662 miles when I insisted Toyota fix this, (hunted for gears, hesitated, lagged when accelerator pushed, and had poorer gas mileage than expected). The car now has 34,875 miles on it and is doing the same thing, hesitating, lunging between gears. Our mechanic confirmed this and stated worse when using a.c. Called Toyota Customer Service and they said the car was out of warranty for the pump repair, but perhaps not the power train, transmission, etc. Have not gotten back to me yet, but has not been one working day after spending 2.5 hours on the phone with them yesterday. This is a safety issue, I press on the gas to make a turn and it lags leaving me in traffic. My 2007 Sienna, which is still running for my daughter, never did this and has full power when called upon. Toyota needs to repair the entire fuel system, transmission, if they cannot fix this. There are no warning lights when this happens & it is happening more frequently. Dealership told me they could not put another pump on car and to contact Toyota Customer Service and gave me the number. When we had the car for about a month, dealership said we were just not used to driving a car with this type of transmission and car was low on oil, we added oil and dealership said we used the wrong type, but we figured some oil was better than no oil. We are boomers and have been driving cars for decades, with clutches and without and we know how to drive a vehicle.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371 or Lexus customer service at 1‑800‑255‑3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V‑012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Recall number 20V682000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371 or Lexus customer service at 1‑800‑255‑3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Recall number 20V012000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 14V576000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, a part of the fuel tank may become damaged when crashed in the insurance institute for highway safety's (iihs) 40 MPH frontal offset crash test conditions, due to the severe impact forces generated.
- Risk
- If the fuel tank becomes damaged and fuel leakage occurs, a fire may result in the presence of an ignition source.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank. Owner notification began august 1, 2003. Owners should contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 03V291000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Sienna fuel pump
Which Toyota Sienna years have fuel pump failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (7 complaints), 2018 (6 complaints) and 2020 (5 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Toyota Sienna?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history