Recall 16V197 affects 234 2016 Toyota Sienna minivans for incorrect front seat belt height adjusters. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 234 2016 Sienna minivans because the wrong front seat belt height adjusters were installed. In a crash, the adjuster can tear or separate from the B-pillar, leaving the occupant improperly restrained and raising injury risk; Toyota dealers will replace the adjusters free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt height adjuster in the 2016 Toyota Sienna lets the shoulder belt sit at the right height on the B-pillar, the body post beside the front seat. In normal use, the adjuster holds the shoulder belt anchor in position so the belt can manage crash loads across the occupant's shoulder and chest.
On affected Siennas, the wrong height adjuster was installed after a supplier shipping-label error. Under crash load, that adjuster can contact the B-pillar body panel instead of deforming as intended. That contact changes how the adjuster rail bends, creates high stress, and can make the rail tear or separate while the belt is loaded.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat belt can look and feel normal in daily use, because the problem shows up when crash force is applied to the shoulder belt.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Toyota Sienna | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 234 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Toyota Sienna is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific minivan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front seat belt height adjuster fails or detaches, the belt can sit incorrectly and leave the occupant improperly restrained in a crash. That raises the risk of injury. Until the repair is complete, use caution and schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Toyota Sienna is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free front seat belt height-adjuster replacement, which fixes the incorrect adjuster that can tear or separate in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota sent one. If not, reference recall number 16V197 and Toyota recall G0H when you call.
- Keep the repair appointment even if the seat belt looks normal; this recall involves the front seat belt height adjuster behind the trim.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the front seat belt height adjusters covered by recall 16V197. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Toyota has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related seat belt height adjuster repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices or payment documentation to the Toyota service desk and ask how to submit them under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 5, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 5, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 7, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| April 29, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 30, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 30, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V197?
Recall 16V197 covers 234 2016 Toyota Sienna minivans with incorrect front seat belt height adjusters. In a crash, the height adjuster can contact the B-pillar and tear or separate, leaving the occupant improperly restrained. Toyota dealers will replace the height adjusters for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Toyota Sienna is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sienna is included in recall 16V197. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule replacement of the front seat belt height adjusters. Reference Toyota recall G0H when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Toyota's remedy for recall 16V197 says dealers will replace the front seat belt height adjusters free of charge. Use a franchised Toyota dealer, and reference Toyota recall G0H when you schedule service.
Is it safe to drive my 2016 Toyota Sienna?
Toyota did not issue a do-not-drive instruction for recall 16V197. The safety risk is crash protection: if the height adjuster tears or separates during a crash, the front occupant is not properly restrained, increasing injury risk. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Toyota Sienna used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016 Sienna is included in recall 16V197, then call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference Toyota recall G0H.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V197000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V197 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V197000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →