Toyota Sienna Hybrid Recall: Keep the Second Row Empty

Is your Toyota Sienna Hybrid part of the new recall? If it is a 2022 to 2026 model, it may be. Transport Canada recall 2026-505 covers 24,454 Sienna Hybrid vans. The second-row seatbacks could move in a crash. Toyota says do not seat anyone in the second row until a dealer updates the software.

Key takeaways

• Transport Canada recall number 2026-505 was posted on October 20, 2026. It was updated on October 23.
• It covers 24,454 Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivans from the 2022 to 2026 model years.
• The locks that hold the second-row seatbacks can let go when a seat belt pretensioner fires.
• Toyota says do not carry passengers in the second row until the fix is done.
• The fix is a free software update to the airbag control unit at a Toyota dealer.
• Check your VIN at Toyota.ca/recall or call 1-888-869-6828.

Why this recall is in the news

Toyota is a top search in Canada right now. This recall is the big reason. The Sienna is one of the most popular family vans in the country. Lots of parents carry kids in that second row every day.

Transport Canada posted the notice on October 20. BNN Bloomberg and other outlets picked it up on October 23. That is when the search trend took off.

This is also Toyota's third big recall in Canada this month. We covered the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid recall and the Land Cruiser fuel tube recall earlier in October.

What is wrong with the seats

The second-row seats in the Sienna recline. A small lock holds each seatback in place.

In a crash, the seat belt pretensioner fires. It pulls the belt tight in a split second. Transport Canada says that under some conditions this can make the recliner lock let go. Then the seatback can move during the crash.

A seatback that moves cannot hold a person the way it should. That raises the risk of injury.

Toyota's own recall code for this campaign is SRC RN6.

Which vans are affected

Only the Sienna Hybrid is listed. Every Sienna sold in Canada since 2021 is a hybrid, so most owners should check.

Not every van in those years is on the list. Only your VIN can tell you for sure. You can read more about the van on our Toyota Sienna page.

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. 2021 Sienna XLE Hybrid. File photo.

What Toyota will do

Toyota will mail a letter to every known owner. The letter asks you to book a visit with a Toyota dealer.

The dealer will update the software in the SRS electronic control unit. That is the computer that runs the airbags and the seat belt pretensioners. The new software stops the pretensioner from making the seat lock let go.

Toyota has not posted a date for the letters yet. We will update this story when it does.

What you should do right now

I have looked at a lot of recalls over the years. Most of them can wait for the letter. This one is different because it touches the seats where kids ride.

Here is my advice, step by step:

1. Find your VIN. It is on your ownership papers, your insurance pink slip and the bottom of the windshield on the driver side.
2. Go to Toyota.ca/recall and type in the VIN.
3. If your van shows up, stop putting people in the second row. Use the third row if it fits your family.
4. Call your dealer and ask when they can do the update.
5. Keep using your van. The recall does not say to stop driving it.

If you bought your Sienna used, make sure Toyota has your name and address. Otherwise the letter may go to the old owner.

Child seats and the second row

Most families put car seats in the second row. That is the row in this recall. Toyota's advice covers all passengers, not only adults.

If you have a booster or a car seat, ask your dealer where it can go safely until the fix. Check your owner's manual for the anchor points in the third row. Do not move a car seat to the front seat.

FAQ

Which Toyota Sienna models are recalled in Canada? Transport Canada recall 2026-505 covers the Toyota Sienna Hybrid from the 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 model years. In total, 24,454 vans in Canada are part of it. Not every van from those years is included, so check your own VIN to be sure.

Is it safe to drive my Sienna before the fix? Yes, you can keep driving it. The recall does not tell owners to park the van. Toyota only asks that no one sits in the second-row seats until the dealer does the software update. The front seats and the third row are not part of this recall.

How do I check if my van has the recall? Find the 17-character VIN on your ownership papers or at the base of the windshield. Type it in at Toyota.ca/recall. You can also call Toyota Canada at 1-888-869-6828. Transport Canada's recall database lists the same recall under number 2026-505 if you want the official notice.

How much does the repair cost? Nothing. Safety recall work is free for the owner under Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The dealer updates the software in the SRS control unit, which runs the airbags and seat belt pretensioners. Ask the dealer how long the visit takes when you book, so you can plan your day around it.

When will Toyota send the recall letters? Toyota says it will notify owners by mail, but it has not posted a date for this recall yet. For the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid recall earlier this month, Toyota gave early December 2026. You do not need to wait for the letter. Check your VIN now and call your dealer.