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1998 Toyota Sienna

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota Sienna do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 183.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 73 of 294 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports3 fire reports13 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

40 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE PASSENGER-SIDE SIDING DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND! THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. THE HANDLES HAVE NOT BEEN JERKED OR OTHERWISE ROUGHLY TREATED. NOW, UNTIL WE CAN GET THIS DEFECT REPAIRED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. I AM UPSET BECAUSE THIS APPEARS T…

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I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE PASSENGER-SIDE SIDING DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND! THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. THE HANDLES HAVE NOT BEEN JERKED OR OTHERWISE ROUGHLY TREATED. NOW, UNTIL WE CAN GET THIS DEFECT REPAIRED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. I AM UPSET BECAUSE THIS APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10130691

15,000 miles · Jul 18, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

REAR SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF VAN AT TIMES CANNOT BE UNLOCKED AND/OR OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES CANNOT CLOSE AND LATCH THE SLIDING DOOR. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHEN THE INSIDE PUSH BUTTON DOOR RELEASE BECOMES STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION IN THE DOOR HANDLE. OCCURRED FIRST ON PASSENGER SIDE IN COLD WEATHER (JA…

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REAR SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF VAN AT TIMES CANNOT BE UNLOCKED AND/OR OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES CANNOT CLOSE AND LATCH THE SLIDING DOOR. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHEN THE INSIDE PUSH BUTTON DOOR RELEASE BECOMES STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION IN THE DOOR HANDLE. OCCURRED FIRST ON PASSENGER SIDE IN COLD WEATHER (JAN 2000). DEALER FOLLOWED MFG'S TSB TO HELP REDUCE PROBLEM. BUT NOW (JULY 2005, HOT WEATHER) DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR HAS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10129249

20,000 miles · Jan 10, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

SINCE OUR PURCHASE OF OUR 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SPARATIC PROBLEMS WITH BOTH SLIDER DOORS OF THE VAN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS WHERE THEY TELL ME THAT THE RUBBER STRIPPING HAS TO REMAIN CLEAN. I FOLLOWED THEIR SUGGESTION AND TO THIS DAY IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS POSES A PROBLEM WHEN …

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SINCE OUR PURCHASE OF OUR 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SPARATIC PROBLEMS WITH BOTH SLIDER DOORS OF THE VAN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS WHERE THEY TELL ME THAT THE RUBBER STRIPPING HAS TO REMAIN CLEAN. I FOLLOWED THEIR SUGGESTION AND TO THIS DAY IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS POSES A PROBLEM WHEN BOTH DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AND EVERYONE HAS TO CLIMB THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106045

1,500 miles · Aug 10, 2004
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

1998 TOYOTA SIENNA SLIDING DOOR ON LEFT AND RIGHT GET STUCK AND WILL NOT OPEN. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR FIRE MY GRANDCHILDREN WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHICH WOULD CREATE THE SAME HAZARD OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN A…

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1998 TOYOTA SIENNA SLIDING DOOR ON LEFT AND RIGHT GET STUCK AND WILL NOT OPEN. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR FIRE MY GRANDCHILDREN WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHICH WOULD CREATE THE SAME HAZARD OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE TRIED. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIIS VERY PROBLEM FROM SIENNA OWNERS. THIS WILL DEFINITELY COST SOMEONE'S LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #10086568

25,000 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

SLIDING DOORS STICK AND/OR JAM. RIGHT SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS FALLEN OFF CAUSING NO ENTRY/EXIT CAPABILITIES FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. LEFT DOOR STILL JAMS/STICK CAUSING EXITING FROM DRIVERS DOOR OR BACK HATCH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086237

75,000 miles · Jul 19, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

SLIDING DOOR HANDLES STICK AND THEM SOMETIMES PROHIBIT OPENING THE DOORS ALL TOGETHER. DOOR HANDLE ON RIGHT SIDE ACTUALLY CAME OFF IN MY HAND AFTER HUNDREDS OF TIMES OF STICKING, NOW DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED AT ALL CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10081322

69,963 miles · Jul 8, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

REAR DOOR HANDLE ON 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN BROKE OFF DURING NORMAL USE. DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR NOW. THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF FIRE AND OR ACCIDENT AS EGRESS FROM THIS DOOR IS UNAVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080583

62,000 miles · Jul 6, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

REAR DOOR LATCH ON 98 SIENNA BROKE WHEN BEING OPENED NORMALLY. NO EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS USED. REAR HATCH IS NOW UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUT IN AN EMERGENCY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10080468

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

SOME OF THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE FALLEN OFF, AND I HAVE CONCERNS THAT IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT RESCUE PERSONNEL WOULD HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING ME OR MY CHILDREN OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10079229

10,000 miles · Apr 7, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR HANDLE/BUTTON (INTERIOR) JAM 6 OUT OF 10 TIMES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, ONLY TO BE TOLD IT'S A BILLABLE REPAIR, DESPITE THERE BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE/HANDLE. MANY OCCASIONS MY KIDS HAVE HAD TO CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE FRO…

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PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR HANDLE/BUTTON (INTERIOR) JAM 6 OUT OF 10 TIMES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, ONLY TO BE TOLD IT'S A BILLABLE REPAIR, DESPITE THERE BEING A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE/HANDLE. MANY OCCASIONS MY KIDS HAVE HAD TO CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE FRONT SEATS OR TAILGATE, MAKING THIS A LEGITIMATE SAFETY HAZARD. 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA LE VID4T3GF13CWU068998.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10065677

Official recalls

2

10V160000 · Structure

Apr 20, 2010

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

98V278000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Oct 19, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS (TDS) SUPPLIED BY AUDIOVOX CORPORATION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.

PE99070 · Steering Wheel To Return To Center

Opened Nov 17, 1999 · Closed Apr 12, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available