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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

Structure complaints

35 reports
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74,500 miles · Aug 12, 2014
StructureTires

IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS CREATED ARTIFICIAL OBSTACLES TO PREVENT MY OBTAINMENT OF AN ELIGIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL (SAFETY RECALL A9E - TIRE CARRIER CABLE) REPAIRS. IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD THE CABLE INSPECTED THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL LETTER BUT I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. ON OCTOBE…

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IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS CREATED ARTIFICIAL OBSTACLES TO PREVENT MY OBTAINMENT OF AN ELIGIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL (SAFETY RECALL A9E - TIRE CARRIER CABLE) REPAIRS. IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD THE CABLE INSPECTED THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL LETTER BUT I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. ON OCTOBER 2, 2013 I WROTE TO TOYOTA FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION AND ATTACHED THE ORIGINAL WORK ORDER FROM A TOYOTA DEALER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PART NUMBER "51900-08010" AS REQUIRED. I RECEIVED AN OCTOBER 17TH RESPONSE SAYING I NEEDED TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THREE QUESTIONS:REASON THE VEHICLE BROUGHT INTO THE REPAIR FACILITY; THE REPAIR FACILITY DIAGNOSES, AND THE REPAIR PERFORMED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE CONCERN. AFTER SEVERAL TELEPHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AGAIN HAVING THE CURRENT CABLE REINSPECTED, OBTAINING AND FORWARDING COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDER, PROOF OF PAYMENT, AND OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP USING AN IDENTICAL PART NUMBER FOR REIMBURSEMENT ELIGIBILITY, I WAS DIRECTED TO CONTACT THE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP AND OBTAIN WRITTEN INFORMATION ON THE CAUSE OF THE BREAKAGE THAT OCCURRED NEARLY TEN YEARS EARLIER AND THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT HIM BECAUSE HE WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE. I SENT A LETTER, DATED JANUARY 20, 2014, TO HIM BUT NEVER EVEN RECEIVED AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ALTHOUGH I'VE DONE EVERYTHING REQUIRED, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE, HAD REPAIRS COMPLETED USING THE PROPER PART NUMBER, AS SHOWN ON THE REPAIR WORKSHEET ISSUED BY A TOYOTA DEALER, I'VE BEEN DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO TOYOTA'S OWN DEALERSHIP REPAIR MANAGER'S LACK OF COOPERATION. IF THE REPAIRS WERE NOT DUE TO THE CABLE BREAKAGE AND IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT NEEDED, WHY DID THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DO THE REPAIR AND CHARGE ME FOR IT? COPIES - LETTERS AND RECEIPTS WILL BE PROVIDED, IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621714

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V160000(STRUCTURE) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V160000(STRUCTURE) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #10588148

114,000 miles · Nov 9, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE PUSH-BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE SLIDING SIDE-DOORS FAILS TO RELEASE. IN THE CASE THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED, THIS PREVENTS TO DOOR FROM CLOSING. IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED, THE BUTTON DOES NOT RELEASE, KEEPING THE DOOR FROM BEING UNLOCKED AND THUS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365069

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE PUSH-BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE SLIDING SIDE-DOORS FAILS TO RELEASE. IN THE CASE THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED, THIS PREVENTS TO DOOR FROM CLOSING. IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED, THE BUTTON DOES NOT RELEASE, KEEPING THE DOOR FROM BEING UNLOCKED AND THUS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS CAN BE REMEDIED BY SLIDING A FLAT BLADE UNDER THE BUTTO…

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THE PUSH-BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE SLIDING SIDE-DOORS FAILS TO RELEASE. IN THE CASE THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED, THIS PREVENTS TO DOOR FROM CLOSING. IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED, THE BUTTON DOES NOT RELEASE, KEEPING THE DOOR FROM BEING UNLOCKED AND THUS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS CAN BE REMEDIED BY SLIDING A FLAT BLADE UNDER THE BUTTON TO RELEASE IT. THIS AFFECTS THE 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349422

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2008
Structure

BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE, IN ADDITION TO BOTH OUTDOOR HANDLES FOR THE SLIDING DOORS (TOTAL OF THREE TIMES), AND THE HANDLE FOR THE TRUNK BROKE. FIRST ONE (EXTERIOR SLIDING DOOR) BROKE FOUR YEARS AGO. THEY CONTINUE TO SNAP TO THIS DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238730

102,000 miles · Jul 14, 2008
Structure

SLIDING DOOR HANDLE ON EXTERIOR HAS BROKEN OFF. BROKEN OFF WHEN PULLING HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR. NO HISTORY OF ACCIDENT. PART WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234134

120,000 miles · Jun 23, 2008
Structure

DOOR HANDLES ON ALL DOORS HAVE BROKEN OFF. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. REAR SLIDING DOORS ALSO STICK AND AGAIN DO NOT ALLOW ENTRY OR EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT USE OF A LOT OF STRENGTH WHICH IS DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN IN BACK OF VAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231985

100,000 miles · May 17, 2008
Structure

THE SLIDING DOORS LOCKS FREEZE UP AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE AND PRESENT A DANGER IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND CANNOT OPEN THE LOCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228060

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Structure

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO OPEN ALL FOUR DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. ALL THE HANDLES ARE BROKEN. CONSUMER HAS TO GO THROUGH THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111036

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

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