IllustrationBATTERY WENT DEAD SUDDENLY. AFTERWARDS THE DOME FUSE WOULD BLOW INTERMITTENTLY. THIS KNOCKS OUT ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE DOOR LOCK CONTROL WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE IGNITION IS ON. IT APPEARS THAT THE $250 INTEGRATION RELAY WAS SHORTED BY THE BATTERY FAILURE. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sienna years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsSLIDING DOOR STICKS. CLEANED AND LUBRICATED DOOR SEALS AND CONTACT SURFACES. DOOR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LOOSE OR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. I AM AFRAID THE DOOR HANDLE IS GOING TO BREAK OFF BECAUSE IT TAKES SO MUCH FORCE TO OPEN THE DOOR. *JB
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
OIL SLUDGE.STARTED BLOWING AT STOP LIGHTS AND ALL STARTUPS.CALLING TOYOTA THIS WEEK. THIS SIENNA IS IN MINT CONDITION.WE BOUGHT IT FOR SAFETY AND DEPENDABILITY FOR OUR 7 WEEK OLD SON.NOW WE'LL SEE IF TOYOTA STANDS BEHIND IT.THIS IS OUR 1ST TOYOTA,BUT THERE ARE 7 LEXUS/TOYOTAS' WITHIN OUR FAMILIES.THIS ENGINE IS DAMAGED AND FROM …
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OIL SLUDGE.STARTED BLOWING AT STOP LIGHTS AND ALL STARTUPS.CALLING TOYOTA THIS WEEK. THIS SIENNA IS IN MINT CONDITION.WE BOUGHT IT FOR SAFETY AND DEPENDABILITY FOR OUR 7 WEEK OLD SON.NOW WE'LL SEE IF TOYOTA STANDS BEHIND IT.THIS IS OUR 1ST TOYOTA,BUT THERE ARE 7 LEXUS/TOYOTAS' WITHIN OUR FAMILIES.THIS ENGINE IS DAMAGED AND FROM WHAT WE HAVE READ,EXPECT A COMPLETE NEW ONE.
ENGINE OIL GELLED/BECAME SLUDGED IN JULY 2002, OIL PUMP FAILED IN NOVEMBER 2003
WAITING TO HEAR FROM TOYOTA ON OUR OIL SLUDGE ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM. WE ARE GATHERING THE OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND WERE 1ST TOLD WE DID NOT MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE. NOW SEEING THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE WITH THIS ISSUE.
LIGHT BLUE SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE .OIL CAP DARK BROWN
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
1999 SIENNA PASSANGER SIDE DOOR. WHEN OPEN, IF ACTIVATED BY REMOTE OR INSIDE THE VEHICAL THE DOOR WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE EVEN IF AN OBJECT IS IN THE PATH OF THE CLOSING DOOR. IT DOES NOT STOP AND WAIT OR WARN YOU IF SOMEONE/SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. WHICH HAS HAPPEND TO MY HUSBAND AND MY SELF.YOU HAVE TO HAVE…
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1999 SIENNA PASSANGER SIDE DOOR. WHEN OPEN, IF ACTIVATED BY REMOTE OR INSIDE THE VEHICAL THE DOOR WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE EVEN IF AN OBJECT IS IN THE PATH OF THE CLOSING DOOR. IT DOES NOT STOP AND WAIT OR WARN YOU IF SOMEONE/SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. WHICH HAS HAPPEND TO MY HUSBAND AND MY SELF.YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEOME ELSE REVERSE THE DOOR TO LET YOU OUT OF IT CRUSHING YOU.THIS IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN GETTING IN /OUT IOF THIS VAN ALL DAY. THE REMOTE CAN BE ACCIDENTIALLY ACTIVATED BY HOLDING IT IN YOUR HAND OR PLACING ITON THE SEAT/FLOOR OF THE VAN. THIS IS WHAT HAPPEND TO US. THE REMOTE IS HYPERSCENTIVE MY PANIC BUTTON GOES OFF ALL OF TEH TIME JUST WHEN HOLDING THE REMOTE. MY HUSABND AND I RECIEVED LARGE SKIN AND MUSSLE BRUSING AND A FEW MOUMENTS OF PANIC.I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE WAS NOT AROUND TO DEACTIVATE THE DOOR? *AK
THE TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR EVERY 15000 TO 20000 MILES. DEALER HAD FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION ALIGNED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, BUT EXCESSIVE WEAR STILL OCCURRED. THE DEALER ADMITTED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT. *AK THE FIRST SET OF TIRES WAS REPLACED AT 17K MILES, 2ND 39K MILES. IN ANY EVENT, THE CAR CO…
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THE TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR EVERY 15000 TO 20000 MILES. DEALER HAD FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION ALIGNED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, BUT EXCESSIVE WEAR STILL OCCURRED. THE DEALER ADMITTED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT. *AK THE FIRST SET OF TIRES WAS REPLACED AT 17K MILES, 2ND 39K MILES. IN ANY EVENT, THE CAR CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE LEFT DESPITE THE ALIGNMENT AND ROTATION.*CB *JB
Official recalls
210V160000 · 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
2DP02004 · 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