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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

What owners actually said

294 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2000
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING, @ APPROX. 60 MPH, ON A STATE HWY., THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. IT APPEARS THE TIRE COMPLETELY PEELED AWAY FROM WHEEL. OWNER INCURRED EXCESSIVE TOWING FEES AND TIRE REPLACEMENT COSTS NOT EXPECTED ON A 2 YR. OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 22,000 MILES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE S…

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WHILE TRAVELING, @ APPROX. 60 MPH, ON A STATE HWY., THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. IT APPEARS THE TIRE COMPLETELY PEELED AWAY FROM WHEEL. OWNER INCURRED EXCESSIVE TOWING FEES AND TIRE REPLACEMENT COSTS NOT EXPECTED ON A 2 YR. OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 22,000 MILES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/65R15 )

NHTSA ODI #723615

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

VEHICLE EXHIBITED SUDDEN UNINTENDEND ACCELERATION ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. ON THIS THRID TIME IT CAUSED MY WIFE TO REAR END A JEEP CHEROKEE. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ABOVE THE BUMPER, WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TOYOTA HAS BEEN CONTACTED PREVIOUSLY ON THE ACCELRATION PROBLEM, THEY SAY IT …

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VEHICLE EXHIBITED SUDDEN UNINTENDEND ACCELERATION ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. ON THIS THRID TIME IT CAUSED MY WIFE TO REAR END A JEEP CHEROKEE. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ABOVE THE BUMPER, WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TOYOTA HAS BEEN CONTACTED PREVIOUSLY ON THE ACCELRATION PROBLEM, THEY SAY IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM, BUT WON'T GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723323

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKES WITH LOUD GRINDING NOISE ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN APPLIED GOING DOWNHILL. DEALER SAYS ALL THE TOYOTAS DO THAT! THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA VEHICLE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BRAKES ON ALL THREE VEHICLES. GUESS THIS WILL BE MY LAST TOYOTA! WORRIED ABOUT BRAKES POSSIBLY FAILING AS IT "TAKES TOO LONG FOR BRA…

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FRONT BRAKES WITH LOUD GRINDING NOISE ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN APPLIED GOING DOWNHILL. DEALER SAYS ALL THE TOYOTAS DO THAT! THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA VEHICLE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BRAKES ON ALL THREE VEHICLES. GUESS THIS WILL BE MY LAST TOYOTA! WORRIED ABOUT BRAKES POSSIBLY FAILING AS IT "TAKES TOO LONG FOR BRAKING TO BE EFFECTIVE". THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE APRX. 12,000 MILES! BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE AT 70% (30% WORN). THE RT. SIDE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, AND WHEN FINALLY OPEN, DIFFICULT TO GET IT TO LOCK IN PLACE (KIDS CAN'T DO IT) I HAVE TO SLAM IT BACK REALLY HARD TO GET IT TO LOCK IN OPEN POSITION TO AVOID SLAMMING SHUT ON US! IT ALSO RATTLES WHILE DRIVING. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INTERMITTENLY STOPS WORKING CORRECTLY, DRIVER UNABLE TO CONTROL PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOWS AND LOCKS. EVEN UNABLE TO UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE ON ONE OCCASION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723069

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ACTUATOR PUMP FOR THE ABS LOCKED UP, TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO REPLACED THE PUMP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRENTY. NLM

NHTSA ODI #784614

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Structure

RIGHT MIDDLE DOOR FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #551875

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury

SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T LOCK IN PLACE WHEN OPENED. IT MOVES BACK & FORTH WHILE TRYING TO HOLD OPEN TO LET PASSENGERS IN & OUT. CONSUMER'S CHILD FINGER WAS AMPUTATED. THIS IS ONE OF MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, OWNER IS SEEKING FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR PURCHASE. DEALER IS CHECKING INTO PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #859886

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES HAVE MADE LOTS OF NOISE SINCE 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE.WE HEARD POPPING NOISES, SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING UNLOADING, SNAPPING SOUNDS. DEALER (CLASSIC TOYOTA, WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS.) HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR 3 TIMES. LATEST FIX STOPPED POPPING SNAPPING NOISES BUT NOW THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES WITHOUT NEED, THE BRAKES MOAN AND MAKE N…

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THE BRAKES HAVE MADE LOTS OF NOISE SINCE 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE.WE HEARD POPPING NOISES, SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING UNLOADING, SNAPPING SOUNDS. DEALER (CLASSIC TOYOTA, WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS.) HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR 3 TIMES. LATEST FIX STOPPED POPPING SNAPPING NOISES BUT NOW THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES WITHOUT NEED, THE BRAKES MOAN AND MAKE NEW NOISES. WE HAVENT EXPERIENCED FAILURE, YET. I LOOKED UP REGISTERED COMPLAINTS AND MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURE. WE ARE TAKING THE VAN BACK FOR THE 4TH TIME FRIDAY 2-24-00. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719171

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2000
SteeringFire

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK WHILE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN SNOW AND ICE CAUSED A FIRE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. *YH

NHTSA ODI #857353

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT FIND A SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #857118

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2000
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A VIOLENT STOP. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854896

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