VehicleVerdict

1998 Toyota Sienna problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1998 Toyota Sienna sits mid-pack among Sienna years: 352 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 238, with 3 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (47), brakes (46), and latches & locks (41), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

352

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Sienna years?

Sienna NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted2,588 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 352 complaints1999: 250 complaints2000: 459 complaints2001: 238 complaints2002: 225 complaints2003: 124 complaints2004: 2,588 complaints2005: 1,418 complaints2006: 1,284 complaints2007: 450 complaints2008: 570 complaints2009: 270 complaints2010: 227 complaints2011: 813 complaints2012: 331 complaints2013: 226 complaints2014: 207 complaints2015: 291 complaints2016: 98 complaints2017: 199 complaints2018: 85 complaints2019: 58 complaints2020: 48 complaints
Sienna NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sienna years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Toyota Sienna problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels4713%
Brakes4613%
Latches & Locks4112%
Body & Structure3811%
Engine3811%
Steering257%
Transmission237%
Visibility & Wipers175%
Electrical System165%
Seat Belts123%
Airbags123%
Suspension113%
Other82%
Speed Control82%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Seats31%
Fuel System21%
Lighting10%

Does the 1998 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V160000Body & StructureApril 20, 2010 · 600,000 units

Defect

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

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.

98E035000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 1998 · 1,960 units

Defect

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS USED ON 1998-1998 TOYOTA RAV4, AVALON, AND SIENNA MODEL VEHICLES 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

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.

98V278000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 1998 · 1,960 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THREE YEAR AGO I BOUGHT 4 SPORTIVA WHEELS FOR MY 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE MODEL OF THIS WHEEL WAS MILANO. ON MAY 25, 2006 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD KID AND ON ROAD 116 KM 0.2 LAJAS, PUERTO RICO ONE OF THE WHEELS BROKE IN THE CENTER AND MY WIFE LOST CONTROL OF THE MINIVAN FOR A FEW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 25, 2006 · crash

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-5 ON OUR 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN, WHEN THE BRAKES GOT LOCKED-UP AND WE STARTED SKIDDING. THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SWERVED TO TO THE MEDIAN AND COLLIDED WITH THE CABLE DIVIDER. WE ALL SURVIVIVED BECAUSE OF THE CABLE, THE VAN IS STILL IN BODY SHOP. I AM WORRIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 1999 · crash

“I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE PASSENGER-SIDE SIDING DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND! THIS IS OUR FAMILY CAR AND WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. THE HANDLES HAVE NOT BEEN JERKED OR OTHERWISE ROUGHLY TREATED. NOW, UNTIL WE CAN GET THIS DEFECT REPAIRED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. I AM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · July 30, 2005

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 7, 2012

“LOUD BANG FROM EGINE FOLLOWED BY FIRE. DEALER SAYS ENGINE THREW A ROD AND FOUND HOLE IN ENGINE. ALSO DAMAGE TO RIGHT AXLE FROM PROJECTILE FROM ENGINE. COMPLAINED ABOUT WHITE SMOKE AT STARTUP TO DEALER AT 22,500 MILE SERVICE, BUT DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS. NOW DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 13, 2000 · fire

1998 Toyota Sienna — common questions

Is the 1998 Toyota Sienna reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sienna: 352 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Sienna problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (47 complaints), brakes (46 complaints), latches & locks (41 complaints).

Does the 1998 Toyota Sienna have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Toyota Sienna. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Toyota Sienna under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Sienna years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sienna years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2008, 2000, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Sienna years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.