MYRModel Year Report

1998 Toyota Sienna

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Toyota Sienna
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
294
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

15% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 3 complaints 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 294 complaints 1998 294 1999: 215 complaints 2000: 363 complaints 2001: 180 complaints 2002: 181 complaints 2002 2003: 105 complaints 2004: 2,062 complaints 2005: 1,130 complaints 2005 2006: 1,016 complaints 2007: 364 complaints 2008: 428 complaints 2008 2009: 207 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 613 complaints 2011 2012: 247 complaints 2013: 183 complaints 2014: 163 complaints 2014 2015: 233 complaints 2016: 76 complaints 2017: 155 complaints 2017 2018: 71 complaints 2019: 45 complaints 2020: 37 complaints 2020
1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 294 complaints 1998 294 1999: 215 complaints 2000: 363 complaints 2000 2001: 180 complaints 2002: 181 complaints 2002 2003: 105 complaints 2004: 2,062 complaints 2004 2005: 1,130 complaints 2006: 1,016 complaints 2006 2007: 364 complaints 2008: 428 complaints 2008 2009: 207 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2010 2011: 613 complaints 2012: 247 complaints 2012 2013: 183 complaints 2014: 163 complaints 2014 2015: 233 complaints 2016: 76 complaints 2016 2017: 155 complaints 2018: 71 complaints 2018 2019: 45 complaints 2020: 37 complaints 2020
1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 294 complaints 1998 294 1999: 215 complaints 1999 2000: 363 complaints 2000 2001: 180 complaints 2001 2002: 181 complaints 2002 2003: 105 complaints 2003 2004: 2,062 complaints 2004 2005: 1,130 complaints 2005 2006: 1,016 complaints 2006 2007: 364 complaints 2007 2008: 428 complaints 2008 2009: 207 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2010 2011: 613 complaints 2011 2012: 247 complaints 2012 2013: 183 complaints 2013 2014: 163 complaints 2014 2015: 233 complaints 2015 2016: 76 complaints 2016 2017: 155 complaints 2017 2018: 71 complaints 2018 2019: 45 complaints 2019 2020: 37 complaints 2020

1998: 294 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19963
19972
1998294
1999215
2000363
2001180
2002181
2003105
20042,062
20051,130
20061,016
2007364
2008428
2009207
2010172
2011613
2012247
2013183
2014163
2015233
201676
2017155
201871
201945
202037

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

15% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Latches/locks/linkages

14% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing latch and lock.

INJURY

Tires

13% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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).

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-28

Structure

13% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing door and hinge and attachments.

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 294 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-11-03Electrical system98E035000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1999-11-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-04-12 Steering wheel to return to center
  4. I
    2002-04-30Defect petitionClosed 2002-06-20 Engine seizure
  5. R
    2010-10-12Structure10V160000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    Date not on fileElectrical system98V278000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Toyota Sienna — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 38 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V278000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 98E035000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 10V160000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Toyota Sienna reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Toyota Sienna is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Sienna have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.