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1999 Toyota Sienna

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 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

67 reports with mileage · 148 unknown

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports4 fire reports14 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

14 reports
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18,700 miles · Feb 5, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

ON OCTOBER 18, 2010 MY 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA DASHBOARD VSC (VARIABLE SKID CONTROL)/OFF TRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP MADE REPAIRS THAT WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND ASSURED ME THAT THE VAN WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010, THE SAME VSC/OFF TRACK A…

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ON OCTOBER 18, 2010 MY 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA DASHBOARD VSC (VARIABLE SKID CONTROL)/OFF TRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP MADE REPAIRS THAT WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND ASSURED ME THAT THE VAN WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010, THE SAME VSC/OFF TRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, I WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT HAVE AVAILABILITY UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2010. SERVICE ADVISOR ASSURED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, AS LONG AS I STAYED IN TOWN, AND WASN'T PLANNING ON TAKING THE CAR ON ANY LONG TRIPS. HOWEVER, I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO RETURN MY VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010 IT STARTED TO MAKE UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISES AND ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. NATURALLY, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP BY BRAKING, BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN TO BRAKE, BUT TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOTHING, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PUMPED IT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANY PEDESTRIANS OR CARS BY STEERING UP THE CURB AND INTO A LAMPPOST. THE VAN CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT FINALLY CAME TO REST ON THE STEPS OF THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380837

56,000 miles · Jul 26, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

1999 TOYOTA SIENNA 56000 MILES ,, WE WERE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON I 294 SOUTH AND THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ,,,MY WIFE KEPT PUMPING THEM AND LOST CONTROL , WE HIT THE MEDIAN AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER THRICE AND ENDED UP STOPPING ON THE ROOF ,, ME, WIFE AND TWO KIDS WERE SAFE BY THE WILL OF GOD ,, ALL INSEAT BELTS ,,HAD GOTTEN OIL …

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1999 TOYOTA SIENNA 56000 MILES ,, WE WERE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON I 294 SOUTH AND THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ,,,MY WIFE KEPT PUMPING THEM AND LOST CONTROL , WE HIT THE MEDIAN AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER THRICE AND ENDED UP STOPPING ON THE ROOF ,, ME, WIFE AND TWO KIDS WERE SAFE BY THE WILL OF GOD ,, ALL INSEAT BELTS ,,HAD GOTTEN OIL CHANGE ,ROUTINE MAINTENANCE 13 DAYS AGO ,, STILL HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM JIFFY LUBE THAT SAYS BRAKE FLUID OKAY ,,, WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE ANY CAR NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278321

90,500 miles · Jun 26, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR -- NO BRAKING OCCURRED. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ON A CITY STREET. *TR SEEMINGLY RANDOM FAILURE WHICH THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO FIX SINCE IT'S INTERMITTENT. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED SINCE EVERYTHING IS SUPPO…

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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR -- NO BRAKING OCCURRED. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ON A CITY STREET. *TR SEEMINGLY RANDOM FAILURE WHICH THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO FIX SINCE IT'S INTERMITTENT. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED SINCE EVERYTHING IS SUPPOSEDLY WORKING CORRECTLY. THE DEALER WANTS TO SEE THE CAR AGAIN IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN -- BUT THE CAR MIGHT BE TOTALED BY THEN - -HOPEFULLY NO ONE WILL BE HURT.

NHTSA ODI #10275058

17,669 miles · Oct 11, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEEL CYLINDERS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID YEARLY SINCE OWNING THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10093949

73,000 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

OUR 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN HAS 73,000 MILES WE REPLACED THE ROTORS 2 TIMES AND WE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES WE GET VIBRATION ON THE PEDAL. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THIS CAN BE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE VAN. ALSO IT COULD BE THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS TO SMALL FOR THIS VAN. IS THIS A MANUFACTURING…

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OUR 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN HAS 73,000 MILES WE REPLACED THE ROTORS 2 TIMES AND WE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES WE GET VIBRATION ON THE PEDAL. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THIS CAN BE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE VAN. ALSO IT COULD BE THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS TO SMALL FOR THIS VAN. IS THIS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10054972

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

ALL THE ABOVE DATA IS AN ESTIMATE BECUASE WE ARE WAITING FOR COPIES OF ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECORDS FROM TOYOTA - - BUT WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING SCREECHING BRAKES, LEFT VEER WHEN DRIVING, BAD TRANSMISSION (REPLACED TWICE),SMOG CHECK FAILURE DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR AND/OR ENGINE PROBLEMS, CLUNK…

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ALL THE ABOVE DATA IS AN ESTIMATE BECUASE WE ARE WAITING FOR COPIES OF ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECORDS FROM TOYOTA - - BUT WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING SCREECHING BRAKES, LEFT VEER WHEN DRIVING, BAD TRANSMISSION (REPLACED TWICE),SMOG CHECK FAILURE DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR AND/OR ENGINE PROBLEMS, CLUNKING NOISES IN ENGINE, A SHUDDERING OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OR BRAKING. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERS FOR AS LONG AS 3 WEEKS; DEALER ADMITS NOT KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG. FAILED

NHTSA ODI #10068983

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

REAR BRAKES SQUEAL SINCE DAY ONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757680

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE IN LIGHT, POWDERY SNOW CONDITIONS. SKIDDED THROUGH A FOUR-WAY STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. LONGER BRAKING DISTANCES NOTED AT TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756225

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS LEAKING FLUID CAUSING THE BRAKES TO SQUEAK, THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL STOP SALES ORDER ISSUED ON ALL BRAKE PARTS AND THE DEALER HAD TO WAIT FOR PARTS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #560240

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STARTED TO HEAR A SLIGHT SQUEAK WHEN STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING.*AK THE DEALER FOUND OUT THE FLUID THAT WAS LEAKING WAS NOT BRAKE FLUID BUT WAS ASSEMBLY LUBE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO RETURN FOR INSPECTION AFTER 500 MILES BUT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT …

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CONSUMER STARTED TO HEAR A SLIGHT SQUEAK WHEN STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING.*AK THE DEALER FOUND OUT THE FLUID THAT WAS LEAKING WAS NOT BRAKE FLUID BUT WAS ASSEMBLY LUBE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO RETURN FOR INSPECTION AFTER 500 MILES BUT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY.*YH

NHTSA ODI #878678

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