Recalled Toyota Minivans Still Cannot be Fixed

Some six months after Toyota recalled 55,000 Sienna minivans for defective seats, the automaker is accused of slow-playing the fix.

Toyota first announced the recall in November 2025 and notified owners the following month. The company said passengers should not sit in second-row seats until they are repaired.

“The subject vehicles contain second-row seats that are mounted on seat rails that may have been improperly welded,” Toyota said at the time. “If these seats are occupied during certain high-speed collisions, the seat may lose structural integrity, increasing the risk of injury.”

But the company has yet to replace any second-row seats, at least according to a recent lawsuit. A California Sienna driver says the RAV-4 sport utility vehicle that Toyota gave her as a loaner while her minivan is being fixed is not big enough for her family.

“Toyota has instructed owners not to use the second-row seats until a repair becomes available,” the woman said in the lawsuit. “I am a parent of three children, including an infant who requires a rear-facing car seat. Without the ability to use the second-row seats, the vehicle is unusable for my family. Toyota has confirmed that there is still no repair remedy available and no timeline for resolution."

Lemon Law Rights for Toyota Drivers

Toyota and other major auto manufacturers recall millions of cars every single year, citing a wide range of defects and malfunctions that pose real risks for everyone on the road. The recalls typically happen long after cars leave factory floors and dealership lots, sold to unsuspecting drivers.

The company recalled some 1 million cars late last year over faulty rear cameras, for example. The move came just weeks after the automaker called back 200,000 vehicles, citing an engine defect that could cause them to stall abruptly and without warning.

There is some good news for Toyota drivers in California. You have valuable rights and protections when it comes to defective or malfunctioning cars. You do not need to wait around for a recall to get your car fixed, with Toyota or another vehicle manufacturer picking up the tab.

The California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform repairs on vehicles under warranty. It also forces the companies to repurchase covered vehicles that they are not able or refuse to repair. That includes compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, as well as financing fees, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney