Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
325–50K
1750–75K
1275–100K
21100–150K
7150K+
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
What owners actually said
215 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE 75. WE HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED BEFORE LEAVING ON VACATION. TOYOTA SAID THAT WE DID NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY DESPITE OUR HAVING PROVIDED PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS OF $6200. THE FINANCE COMPANY REPOSESSED THE CAR BECAUSE WE COULD NOT A…
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THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE 75. WE HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED BEFORE LEAVING ON VACATION. TOYOTA SAID THAT WE DID NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY DESPITE OUR HAVING PROVIDED PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS OF $6200. THE FINANCE COMPANY REPOSESSED THE CAR BECAUSE WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766829
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002
Structure
THE CONSUMER BACKED INTO A RETAINING WALL AT 2 MPH AND DAMAGED THE REAR BUMPER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE BUMPER WAS INADEQUATE FOR THE PURPOSE IT WAS INTENDED AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #566973
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Child Seat
TRYING TO REPORT A FAILURE OF A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. PLEASE ADVISE PROCESS TO DO SO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764553
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE AND DID NOT LET THE CHILD OUT OF THE SEAT. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8013858
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages
HI, I WAS OPENING THE TRUNK TO MY MINI VAN. IT IS A HORIZONTAL LATCH AND REQUIRES A SQUEEZE TO BE OPENED. UPON SQUEEZING, SOMETHING THAT FELT LIKE BRITTLE PLASTIC, SNAPPED AND BROKE. NOW THE DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED. THE QUOTE TO FIX IT IS $257. I DID NOT USE ANY MONUMENTAL FORCE TO OPEN THE DOOR, JUST A SMALL SQUEEZE. IT SEE…
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HI, I WAS OPENING THE TRUNK TO MY MINI VAN. IT IS A HORIZONTAL LATCH AND REQUIRES A SQUEEZE TO BE OPENED. UPON SQUEEZING, SOMETHING THAT FELT LIKE BRITTLE PLASTIC, SNAPPED AND BROKE. NOW THE DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED. THE QUOTE TO FIX IT IS $257. I DID NOT USE ANY MONUMENTAL FORCE TO OPEN THE DOOR, JUST A SMALL SQUEEZE. IT SEEMED TO BE A CHEAP PART THAT SNAPPED. I WONDER IF THIS HAPPENS OFFICE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID SHE THOUGHT THEY HAD REPAIRED ONE OTHER DOOR WITH THIS PROBLEM. OPEN THE DOOR.
NHTSA ODI #763538
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
SIENNA ENGINE SEIZED WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 75. WE HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED PRIOR TO LEAVING TO GO ON VACATION. TOYOTA BLAMED US FOR THE PROBLEM: SAID IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DESPITE OUR FURNISHING PROOF OF REGULAR OIL CHANGES. COST OF REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS ESTIMATED @ APPROX. $5000. WE COULD NO…
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SIENNA ENGINE SEIZED WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 75. WE HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED PRIOR TO LEAVING TO GO ON VACATION. TOYOTA BLAMED US FOR THE PROBLEM: SAID IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DESPITE OUR FURNISHING PROOF OF REGULAR OIL CHANGES. COST OF REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS ESTIMATED @ APPROX. $5000. WE COULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER THEM. VAN WAS REPOSESSED BY OUR FINANCE COMPANY. WE HAD TO TAKE OUT A HOME EQUITY LOAN TO PAY OFF THE BALANCE OF $6,000 OWED TO OUR FINANCE COMPANY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #762460
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2002
Tires
WE JUST REPLACED 3RD SETS TIRES, INDEPENDENT SHOP HAS TO REPLACE PARTS WHEN DEALER CLAIM NO PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #762008
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE FEEL THAT KINGSPORT TOYOTA (KINGSPORT TENNESSEE) DID NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT PROBLEMS WERE STARTING TO ARISE AND CONSUMERS WERE QUESTIONING TOYOTA ABOUT SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761330
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT 44,000 MILES WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CYLINDER REGROUND AND THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. WE CHANGED OIL EVERY 5,000 MILES LIKE THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT IT SHOULD HAPPEN AT ALL! THIS IS A FAULTY ENGINE. WE SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED A NEW ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY, NOT HAD THE DAMNED CYLINDERS REGROUND. NOW, THEY'RE TEL…
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AT 44,000 MILES WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CYLINDER REGROUND AND THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. WE CHANGED OIL EVERY 5,000 MILES LIKE THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT IT SHOULD HAPPEN AT ALL! THIS IS A FAULTY ENGINE. WE SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED A NEW ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY, NOT HAD THE DAMNED CYLINDERS REGROUND. NOW, THEY'RE TELLING US TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES! WHAT IS GOING ON? WE'VE OWNED TOYOTAS SINCE 1969 AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEM--AND CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THIS IS POOR QUALITY OF THE ENGINE AND TOYOTA SHOULD GIVE US A NEW AND IMPROVED ENGINE TO REPLACE THIS ONE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760883
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2002
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
1999 Toyota Sienna Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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