1998 Toyota SIENNA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
210 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
79,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 210 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 25 | 11.9% |
| Steering behavior | 22 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 2.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 21 |
| Tires | 19 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 14 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 14 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 21; Tires: 19; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 14; Structure:Body:Door: 14; Tires:Tread/Belt: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Electrical System: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 8
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 137 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 37 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2002 | 31 |
| 2003 | 30 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 37; 2001: 28; 2002: 31; 2003: 30; 2004: 28; 2005: 10; 2006: 9; 2007: 4; 2008: 6; 2009: 3; 2010: 9; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017373 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081801 · 2004-07-13 (July 13, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ABS ENGAGED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004275 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 40MPH BOTH TIRE RODS BROKE CAUSING LOST OF STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034334 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN THE RIGHT POSITION AND THE DRIVER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF STRAIGHTENING IT WHEN IT LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD GONE INTO THE HIGHWAY DIVIDER AND WAS TOTALED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017087 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
1998 TOYOTA SIENNA - COMPLETE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HIGHWAY AT 67,800 MILES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 67,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040131 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION.*MR THERE IS A NOISE WHEN DRIVING CHANGES PITCH WITH SPEEDS. BEARING NOISE FROM INSIDE TRANSMISSION.*TS
Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027334 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMOBLE, IN THAT WHEN SHE TURNS IT OFF, IT STARTS, AND WHEN SHE PUTS IT IN PARK, IT STARTS UP. SHE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, WHO DISCONNECTED THE ALARM SYSTEM, AND THE AUTOMOBILE STOPPED DOING THE ABOVE. SHE STATED THAT THE MECHANIC FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THESE CARS, AND THAT WAS THE EXACT PROBLEM SHE WAS HAVING WITH VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10336630 · 2010-06-16 (June 16, 2010)
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-reported narrative. 131,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068476 · 2004-05-07 (May 7, 2004)
WE LEASED A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA BECAUSE IT WAS THE SAFEST VAN OUT THERE AT THE TIME. TWO YEARS LATER I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, WHEN THE ( DUMMY GAUGE) FOR THE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS FINE. ON MY WAY HOME THAT MORNING FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED & I HEARD SOME KNOCKING NOISE , I PULLED OVER, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALEARSHIP WHERE WE LEASED THE VAN. THEY HAD IT CHECKED OUT THEN TOLD US THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGING AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072153 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A BUILD UP OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED. TWO YEARS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. *AK ON MARCH 22, 2004 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. ON MARCH 23, 2004 THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO SUGGESTED THAT SLUDGE WAS THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 92 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063122 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
THE FUEL INJECTOR SEALS WERE LEAKING. THE DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS A FIRE HAZARD AND REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR SEALS. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 40,545 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063122 at NHTSA ↗