1998 Toyota Sienna: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 294 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (13% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 294 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Air bags did not deploy in a front end collision. We were traveling at about 65mph on the interstate when another vehicle lost control, wrecked, and came to a complete stop in our lane and facing us. My husband braked hard but we could not avoid the vehicle. We truly have no idea how fast we were going at impact but I would guess 30-40 mph. It had just started raining lightly prior to the accident. Seat belts and god saved us. No major injuries.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota sienna. The contact stated that the warning indicators on the instrument panel did not function when the vehicle reached high temperatures. The contact stated that only the check engine warning indicator functioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 98v278000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not completed. The failure mileage was not provided.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2016
“Car started making clunking noises when turning the steering wheel. Took it to a mechanic who test drove it and examined the steering. He validated the clunking noise and said he found the steering rack was broken at the mount and needs to be replaced to drive the car safely.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Since I bought my 1998 used toyota sienna with 190xxx miles, when press a litte bit the gas pedal on a uphill it start to accelerate like crazy, I can barely stop it, I must to put the transmission in neutral to stop the van, today I was on a very pronuntiated uphill and almost crash because it accelerates itself when press a little the gas pedal. I''m scared to use the van again but I don't have other choise and at the same time I'm scared to sell the van to someone else. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2014
“The car is shifted from park to drive and it accelerates suddenly without me pressing the accelerator. Pressing the brakes do not stop the car, the only way to stop it is by shifting into park or neutral. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2014
“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 failure. The manufacturer was contacted.”Owner report · Structure · May 2012
“Driver in wrong lane hit my van, with most of impact on right front side of van. Both vehicles were totalled in collision. Right front passenger seat belt initially held, but released during collision and passenger ended up on driver's armrest. Neither airbag deployed. *tt”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2011
“Tire seemed out of balance at narrow range of speeds (60-65mph), but smooth at 68mph for months; recently noticed vehicle rocking when cold and at low speeds; today saw an outward bulge in rear tire tread (directionally outward from axle). Am seeking a replacement tire before tread separation. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2011
“I have a 1998 toyota sienna recently the airbag light is on and the horn and cruise control are not working I wonder if this can be a safety recall for the life of the vehicle or do I just have to pay for the repair. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2011
“Wiring problem--electric going on unusual paths--pushing the brake turns on the lights in the dash--I wonder if pushing the brake could cause acceleration problems? *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sienna by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Toyota Sienna reliable?
NHTSA has 294 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Toyota Sienna. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Sienna problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,700 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Toyota Sienna have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.