Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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 · Mar 29, 1999
Structure
MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND IT CAUGHT IN THE TRACK AND FELL OFF. THAT'S RIGHT,FELL OFF! TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS NO HELP AT ALL.AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS OF PLEADING MY CASE, THE DEALERSHIP DID THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIRED THE TRACK-THEY STRAIGHTENED IT OUT INSTEAD OF REPLACING…
Read full complaint
MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND IT CAUGHT IN THE TRACK AND FELL OFF. THAT'S RIGHT,FELL OFF! TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS NO HELP AT ALL.AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS OF PLEADING MY CASE, THE DEALERSHIP DID THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIRED THE TRACK-THEY STRAIGHTENED IT OUT INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT. THE DOOR WORKS FINE AND IT DIDN'T COST ME A PENNY. BUT THE POINT IS TOYOTA NEVER LISTENED TO ME AS TO HOW IT OCCURRED. THEY SAID I MUST HAVE TRIED TO FORCIBLY OPEN THE DOOR WHEN I WAS FUELING THE VEHICLE, AND IT JUST SIMPLY DID NOT HAPPEN LIKE THAT. I'M AN ENGINEER AND UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY STOP THEY HAVE BUILT INTO THE CAR. SO YOU CAN'T SLIDE THE DOOR OPEN WHEN FUELING. I NEVER EVER DID THAT. PLEASE CONTACT ME SO I CAN GO INTO MORE DETAIL . *AK
NHTSA ODI #705076
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages
THE DESIGN OF THE INSIDE SLIDING DOOR LOCK RELEASE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE, EXCESSIVE FORCE REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE, UNABLE TO REMEDY.
NHTSA ODI #544297
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
ACCEPTED FOR ARBITRATION BY WA STATE ATTY GENERAL
NHTSA ODI #704278
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE RACED FORWARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT A WALL AND THROTTLE CABLE TO PINCH. FRONT LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS THE SIDE THAT HIT THE WALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834865
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 · Feb 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES SQUEAK. YH
NHTSA ODI #6900314
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Visibility
ELECTRIC SIDE MIRRORS CLICK AND DON'T MOVE PROPERLY. YH
NHTSA ODI #6900305
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure
SIDE DOOR STUCK ALL THE TIME. YH
NHTSA ODI #609263
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Visibility
LEFT REAR CENTER MOLDING FOR WINDOW CAME APART. YH
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.
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
1998 Toyota Sienna Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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