Toyota Recalls 94,000 Sienna Minivans

Torrance, CAToyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc, has announced that it will conduct a voluntary Safety Recall of 2011 Model Year Sienna vehicles produced before early November 2010 to replace the stop lamp (brake light) switch bracket. The recall covers some 94,000 vehicles in the United States, 12,000 sold in Canada and 5,000 in Mexico, said Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons.

Due to the proximity of the stop lamp switch bracket to the parking brake pedal when the parking brake is fully applied, the stop lamp switch bracket could, in limited circumstances, be deformed by the driver's foot during parking brake operation.

Depending on the amount of bracket deformation, this condition could cause the brake lights to remain on or, if the deformation is significant, the brakes could become partially engaged due to contact from the bracket, resulting in brake drag with associated brake noise, brake vibration, and/or illumination of the brake warning light. If this condition is not noticed and the vehicle continues to be driven, braking effectiveness could be reduced.

No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall, and Toyota is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

The stop lamp switch bracket is welded on to the left side of the brake pedal support assembly. The stop lamp switch provides a signal that indicates the brake pedal has been depressed and illuminates the brake lights.