← New search

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

Power Train complaints

23 reports
Clear category filter
193,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Power Train

SINCE I BOUGHT MY 1998 USED TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 190XXX MILES, WHEN PRESS A LITTE BIT THE GAS PEDAL ON A UPHILL IT START TO ACCELERATE LIKE CRAZY, I CAN BARELY STOP IT, I MUST TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VAN, TODAY I WAS ON A VERY PRONUNTIATED UPHILL AND ALMOST CRASH BECAUSE IT ACCELERATES ITSELF WHEN PRESS A LI…

Read full complaint

SINCE I BOUGHT MY 1998 USED TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 190XXX MILES, WHEN PRESS A LITTE BIT THE GAS PEDAL ON A UPHILL IT START TO ACCELERATE LIKE CRAZY, I CAN BARELY STOP IT, I MUST TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VAN, TODAY I WAS ON A VERY PRONUNTIATED UPHILL AND ALMOST CRASH BECAUSE IT ACCELERATES ITSELF WHEN PRESS A LITTLE THE GAS PEDAL. I''M SCARED TO USE THE VAN AGAIN BUT I DON'T HAVE OTHER CHOISE AND AT THE SAME TIME I'M SCARED TO SELL THE VAN TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643221

167,997 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Power Train

THE CAR IS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND IT ACCELERATES SUDDENLY WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. PRESSING THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS BY SHIFTING INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639985

140,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I CAME HOME AND TURNED MY IGNITION SWITCH OFF BUT MY 1998 TOYOTA VAN KEPT RUNNING.TURNING THE KEY ON AND OFF DID NOT TURN IT OFF. I TRIED SHUTTING IT DOWN WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. I TRIED TURNING IT OFF AGAIN WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER BUT TO NO AVAIL. I BEGIN TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER. I LIFTE…

Read full complaint

I CAME HOME AND TURNED MY IGNITION SWITCH OFF BUT MY 1998 TOYOTA VAN KEPT RUNNING.TURNING THE KEY ON AND OFF DID NOT TURN IT OFF. I TRIED SHUTTING IT DOWN WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. I TRIED TURNING IT OFF AGAIN WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER BUT TO NO AVAIL. I BEGIN TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THE ENGINE WAS BEING TURNED OVER BY THE STARTER WHICH WAS NOT DISENGAGING AND STARTING TO SMOKE. THEN TONS OF SMOKE BEGAN BOILING OFF THE STARTER. I DISCONNECTED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CONNECTION AND THE ENGAGED STARTER STOPPED CRANKING THE ENGINE. HEAVY SMOKE CONTINUED BOILING FROM THE STARTER FOR ABOUT A MINUTE LONGER. I WAS VERY GLAD I WAS NOT INSIDE THE GARAGE BECAUSE I THINK THE STARTER COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE OR THE SMOKE WOULD HAVE SMOTHERED ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515398

77,000 miles · Feb 16, 2007
Power Train

AT INTERSTATE SPEED I HAD A FEW SECOND DRAG AND THEN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGEMENT. MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE INTERSTATE BY LETTING IT SET A FEW MINUTES AND BEING ABLE TO DRIVE A 1/4 MILE OR SO AT A TIME. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE VAN INCLUDING FLUID CHANGES. IT ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES BUT TOYOTA REFUSES T…

Read full complaint

AT INTERSTATE SPEED I HAD A FEW SECOND DRAG AND THEN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGEMENT. MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE INTERSTATE BY LETTING IT SET A FEW MINUTES AND BEING ABLE TO DRIVE A 1/4 MILE OR SO AT A TIME. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE VAN INCLUDING FLUID CHANGES. IT ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT( BECAUSE THERE WARRANTY EXTENSION IS ONLY FOR 8 YEARS 100,000 AND I AM OVER THE 8 YEARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182822

88,000 miles · Jul 4, 2006
Power Train

WE HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA LE WITH ABOUT 88,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR TOO MUCH AND MOST OF THE TIME IT SITS IN OUR GARAGE. ON THE WAY UP TO NH FROM NJ AT JUNE 17 2006, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS, WHICH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SOMETIMES UNABLE TO ENGAGE. WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND SENT THE CAR TO THE…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA LE WITH ABOUT 88,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR TOO MUCH AND MOST OF THE TIME IT SITS IN OUR GARAGE. ON THE WAY UP TO NH FROM NJ AT JUNE 17 2006, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS, WHICH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SOMETIMES UNABLE TO ENGAGE. WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND SENT THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD US "THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE." THAT ARE KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED UP TO 100,000 MILES AND 8 YEARS. BUT OUR CAR JUST PASSED IT BY 5-6 WEEKS AND IS WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES. DEALER TOLD US TO CONTACT TOYOTA AS IT JUST PAST THE DEADLINE AND HAS LOW MILEAGE. TOYOTA HAS GIVEN US A VERY HARD TIME. THEY INSISTED THAT IT IS OUR PROBLEM NOW BECAUSE WE DIDN'T DISCOVER IT BEFORE THE 8 YEARS DEADLINE. HERE IS WHAT IS LISTED ABOUT IN THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE THAT LISTS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS: *NM MAKE: TOYOTA MODEL: SIENNA YEAR: 1998 TYPE: PASSENGER CAR SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: TC03014 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10003372 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE REGARDING A NO MOVEMENT OR A SLIPPING CONDITION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10161395

99,000 miles · Oct 20, 2005
Power Train

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO OTHER NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS AT THIS POINT. THE MECHANIC, WHO LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE, STATED THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS MAKING NOISE DUE TO DEFECTIV…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO OTHER NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS AT THIS POINT. THE MECHANIC, WHO LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE, STATED THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS MAKING NOISE DUE TO DEFECTIVE DIFFERENTIAL AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT TOYOTA WOULD PROVIDE THE PART, AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. *AK UPDATE 1/4/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10140351

910,000 miles · Jun 25, 2005
Power TrainFire

MY 98 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE ACELERATOR WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TWICE ON 6/22/05. ON THE SECOND TIME, THE ENGINE FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AND GO BACK HOME THREE BLOCKS AWAY WHERE THIS HAPPENED. I PARKED MY CAR INSIDE MY GARAGE, WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE AND LUCKILY I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE GARAG…

Read full complaint

MY 98 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE ACELERATOR WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TWICE ON 6/22/05. ON THE SECOND TIME, THE ENGINE FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, AND GO BACK HOME THREE BLOCKS AWAY WHERE THIS HAPPENED. I PARKED MY CAR INSIDE MY GARAGE, WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE AND LUCKILY I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE GARAGE IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY NSURANCE COMPANY TO DO THEIR INVESTIGATION AND I OPENED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA, SINCE I DID ALL THE NECESSARY MAINTENANCE AND THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL THAT DAY. HOW CAN I BE SURE I AM GOING TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH WHY THE CAR GOT ON FIRE AND IF THERE IS ANY PROBLEM RELATED TO THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY CAR THAT MAY EXPALIN WHAT HAPPENED? SOMETIME AGO I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA SAYING THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON TRANSAXLE CASE AND INTERNAL PART, TORQUE CONVERTER AND PARTS RELATED TO THE TRANSAXLE BECAUSE CERTAIN MODELS OF SIENNA HAD A "NO MOVEMEN" OR "SLIPPING CONDITION" RELATED TO THAT PARTS. MY CAR WAS FINE UNTIL THE MORNING OF 6/22/05 AND THEN DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR TWICE (IS THIS WHAT THEY CALL NO MOVEMENT OR SLIPPING CONDITION?) AND THEN GOT ON FIRE. DOES THE FIRE COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE O ANYTHING RELATED TO THE TRANSAXLE CASE AND INTERNAL PARTS ANY OTHER PARTS RELATED TO IT? I AM AFRAID, SINCE I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS ANYTHING TO LOOSE , THAT TOYOTA WON'T TAKE RESPOSIBILITY FOR THIS AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY ALREADY ADVISED ME THAT THEY DO NOT COVER THE CAUSE OF FIRE ONLY DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE FIRE, THEY DO NOT COVER RENTAL CARE WHILE MY CAR IS INCVESTIGATED AND I DON'T FEEL THAT THEY ARE IN ANY HURRY TO DO SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO GET AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS NO INTEREST IN THE CASE, WHO IS NOT THE ONE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OR NOT, OR WHO IS NOT THE ONE IN CHARGE TO COVER THE EXPENSES RELATED TO WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NHTSA ODI #10126580

98,000 miles · Oct 2, 2004
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093487

97,375 miles · Jun 21, 2004
Power Train

WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER'S SON INADVERTENTLY MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS UNTIL THE GEAR SHIFTED WAS PLACED BACK IN PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAN BE MOVED, EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079563

134,000 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Power Train

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION.*MR THERE IS A NOISE WHEN DRIVING CHANGES PITCH WITH SPEEDS. BEARING NOISE FROM INSIDE TRANSMISSION.*TS

NHTSA ODI #10040131

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