Recall 12V120 affects 363 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER and Sienna vehicles with remote-starter CAN communication faults. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 363 2012 4RUNNER and Sienna vehicles equipped with non-original remote engine starters because the Audiovox module can disrupt the vehicle's CAN communication. If that happens, antilock braking and stability control are lost and crash risk increases; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The remote engine starter on the 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER and Sienna is add-on electrical equipment, not the factory starting system. It lets the engine start from a distance, then hands control back to the vehicle when the driver enters and turns the ignition on. To do that, the starter module has to communicate with the vehicle's controller area network, or CAN, which is the wiring network that lets onboard computers share signals.
In affected vehicles, the Audiovox Electronics remote engine starter module can malfunction and block normal CAN communication. That means the module interferes with messages that the vehicle's computers need to exchange. The problem is in the add-on starter electronics, not a change in the Toyota factory electrical design described in this recall.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should treat an included VIN as an electrical communication recall tied to the remote starter module, even if the vehicle starts and drives normally today.
Who's affected?
Covers both the 4RUNNER SUV and Sienna minivan from the 2012 model year, with the same electrical equipment component listed for each.
| 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER | Electrical |
|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Sienna | Electrical |
| Units affected | 363 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
When this condition occurs, antilock braking and stability control are at risk of being lost, increasing crash risk. Dashboard warning lights are expected to alert drivers to the malfunction. If those lights appear, slow down, drive cautiously, and contact a Toyota dealer for recall guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER or Sienna is included in this recall.
- Confirm with a franchised Toyota dealer whether the free remote-engine-starter replacement is ready for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V120 when you call Toyota or the dealer.
- Schedule the remote-engine-starter replacement that fixes the communication fault tied to antilock braking and stability control.
- Watch for dashboard warning lights and drive cautiously until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the non-original remote engine starter module with a new unit. The recall record identifies the Audiovox remote engine starter as the part that interferes with normal CAN communication. Because the remedy status is not listed as available in this record, treat the dealer replacement as the final repair that will be free once available. Toyota expected owner notification to begin on or about June 4, 2012, so ask the dealer to confirm the current repair status for your VIN before arranging service.
Timeline
| March 23, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 1, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V120?
Recall 12V120 covers 363 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER and Sienna vehicles equipped with non-original Audiovox remote engine starters. A starter module malfunction can disrupt vehicle network communication, resulting in loss of antilock braking and stability control. Toyota dealers will replace the remote starter for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER or Sienna is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V120. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the free remote engine starter replacement. Reference recall number 12V120 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Toyota dealers will replace the affected remote engine starter free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of antilock braking and stability control. The recall filing says that condition increases crash risk, and drivers should receive dashboard warning lights when the malfunction happens. The dealer repair replaces the remote starter that causes the problem.
What if I bought this Toyota 4RUNNER or Sienna used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Toyota 4RUNNER or Sienna is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer with recall number 12V120.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V120000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-444-1074 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V120 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V120000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →