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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

Suspension complaints

11 reports
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137,500 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Service BrakesSuspension

STARTED TO GET CLUNKING/RATTLING NOISES ON HIGHWAY THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. REDUCED SPEED TO 50 MPH. ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AROUND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE (ABOUT 9PM). SLOWLY DROVE TO MECHANIC ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND LEFT CAR…

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STARTED TO GET CLUNKING/RATTLING NOISES ON HIGHWAY THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. REDUCED SPEED TO 50 MPH. ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AROUND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE (ABOUT 9PM). SLOWLY DROVE TO MECHANIC ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND LEFT CAR OVERNIGHT. RETURNED NEXT MORNING AND EXAMINED BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. FOUND VERY LITTLE FLUID IN RESERVOIR - DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE ENTIRE BOTTOM. MECHANIC REPORTED THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING FAILED (APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS). AFTER FAILING THE STRUT PUNCTURED THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR (ABOUT 3/8" HOLE) AT ONE OF THE CORNERS (SEE PHOTO) ALLOWING THE FLUID TO DRAIN. SHOULD I HAVE LOST ALMOST ALL FLUID WITH A 2 CIRCUIT BRAKING SYSTEM? DOES THE RESERVOIR HAVE AN INTERNAL BAFFLE TO PREVENT ALMOST TOTAL LOSE OF FLUID? I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS.

NHTSA ODI #10928925

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2003
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018012

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2002
Service Brakes, AirStructureSuspension

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH SLIDING DOORS ON MY MINIVAN. I HAD RATTLES FIXED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASSIONS AND RECENTLY TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITHOUT PUTTING THE WEIGHT OF MY BODY BEHIND IT. THE DEALER SHRUGGED IT OFF BY SAYING THERE WAS A COKE SPILLED IN THE DOOR. THE DEALE…

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I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH SLIDING DOORS ON MY MINIVAN. I HAD RATTLES FIXED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASSIONS AND RECENTLY TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITHOUT PUTTING THE WEIGHT OF MY BODY BEHIND IT. THE DEALER SHRUGGED IT OFF BY SAYING THERE WAS A COKE SPILLED IN THE DOOR. THE DEALER CLEANED "THE COKE" AND THE DOOR IS STILL STICKING SHUT. NOW THE TAILHATCH HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF AND I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE TAILGATE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION. THE VAN FEELS LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE PULLING TO ONE SIDE. I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE OTHER DAY IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT WHEEL WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON (AT MY EXPENSE) BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID I LEFT THE PARKING BRAKE ON ALL THE TIME. I NO LONGER LEAVE THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND THE BRAKES ARE BEGINNING TO SQEEK AND SQUEAL AGAIN. MR

NHTSA ODI #767883

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED,. WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD BUSTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8018860

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionWheels

AT ALL TIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCH/GRINDING NOISE. DID NOT AFFECT STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT ENTIRE BRAKING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BACKING PLATE IS TOO THIN AND DEF…

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AT ALL TIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY WOULD MAKE A HIGH PITCH/GRINDING NOISE. DID NOT AFFECT STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT ENTIRE BRAKING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BACKING PLATE IS TOO THIN AND DEFECTIVE. LEFT FRONT REAR WHEEL LUG NUT WAS CROSS THREADED. KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, DEALER REPLACED STRUT MOUNTS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #890427

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 1999
Suspension

TIRES ON VEHICLE WERE WORN OUT DUE TO VEHICLE PULLING TO RIGHT & NEEDING ALIGNMENT. HAD TIRES (4) ROTATED & ALIGNED. VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO RIGHT. MECHANIC CHECKING FOR CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847543

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Suspension

SHOCK ABSORBERS.

NHTSA ODI #609773

Mileage unknown · May 18, 1999
Suspension

SERIOUS TORQUING AND PULLING PROBLEMS. THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST VEHICLES TO COME OFF THE NEW GEORGETOWN, KY ASSEMBLY LINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #706616

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1999
Suspension

MANY SIENNA OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF UNKNOWN "PULLING" PROBLEMS. THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE A SERIOUS NATIONWIDE PROBLEM, AND DETAILED RECORDS CAN BE RETRIEVED FROM TOYOTA DEALER REPAIR LOGS. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO ISSUE RECALL TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATELY AND THOROUGHLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #702920

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1998
SeatsSuspension

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT.ALSO, HEADRESTS ARE VERY LOOSE AND WIGGLE AROUND WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN/THIRD RAW BACKSEATS ARE LOOSE AND VIBRATE.

NHTSA ODI #781322

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