ToyotaSienna2012Overview/toyota/sienna/2012/base/

2012 Toyota Sienna

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Sienna.

Body VAN

The 2012 Toyota Sienna is a van engineered to run on 4.7 quarts of 0W-20 API oil. With 247 total owner complaints, it sits far below the model’s 2004 peak of 2,062, though air bag issues and nine recalls mark its primary reliability concerns. This places the 2012 Sienna among the more dependable years in the nameplate’s 1996–2020 history.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter178010P051
Spark plug9091901247 alt 9091901233
Front wiper blades8521206110 alt 8522208020
Serpentine belt90916A2019 alt 90916A2020
Thermostat90916A3002 alt 90916A3003
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight4508 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sienna of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2017 SE Premium
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011SE 3.5L V67.10 sec15.40 sec266 hpFWD
2011Limited 3.5L V67.70 sec16.10 sec266 hpFWD
2011XLE 3.5L V67.80 sec16.10 sec266 hpAWD
2011LE I-4 2.7L I-49.50 sec17.20 sec187 hpFWD
2014SE 3.5L V67.30 sec15.60 sec266 hpFWD
2015Limited Premium 3.5L V67.60 sec15.80 sec266 hpFWD
2015SE 3.5L V67.60 sec15.80 sec266 hpFWD
2016Limited Premium 3.5L V67.30 sec15.70 sec266 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub217 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle77 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.1 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.1 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.984 in / 0.335 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
127 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Bolts 9-10: 22 ft. lbs.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (clean) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Toyota Sienna records 247 complaints, 9 recalls, and 1 investigation with 372 TSBs, positioning it as a notably calmer model year following a sharp spike in 2011 (610 complaints, 14 recalls). Compared to the generation's peak problems in 2004–2006—when complaints ranged from 1,016 to 2,062 with up to 12 recalls and 10 investigations—the 2012 data reflects a substantial improvement trend that began around 2007. The year also precedes a continued decline through 2016, where complaints fall to 75 and investigations drop to zero. Within the 2012 record itself, air bag issues (50 complaints), structural concerns (37 complaints), and their combination (24 complaints) represent the top complaint categories, with 10 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints noted. The 372 TSBs indicate Toyota continued addressing service-related matters aggressively during this period. The takeaway is that 2012 represents a relatively stable purchase within this generation—well past the troubled 2004–2006 peak but before the later-model decline in complaints—and while air bag and structural complaints warrant pre-purchase inspection, the vehicle does not exhibit the systemic severity seen in earlier years of this generation.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
372
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
247
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 247 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags50
Structure37
Air Bags,Structure24
Unknown Or Other16
Power Train14
Steering10
Electrical System9
Vehicle Speed Control8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V005000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February…

19V741000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/10/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 372 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sienna. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Sienna take?

4.7 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Sienna have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.