MYRModel Year Report

1998 Toyota Sienna

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Toyota Sienna
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Sienna Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 294 complaints 1998 1999: 215 complaints 2000: 363 complaints 2000 2001: 180 complaints 2002: 181 complaints 2003: 105 complaints 2004: 2062 complaints 2004 2005: 1130 complaints 2006: 1016 complaints 2007: 364 complaints 2008: 428 complaints 2008 2009: 207 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 611 complaints 2012: 247 complaints 2012 2013: 183 complaints 2014: 162 complaints 2015: 230 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2016 2017: 152 complaints 2018: 69 complaints 2019: 45 complaints 2020: 36 complaints 2020
1998: 294 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19963
19972
1998294
1999215
2000363
2001180
2002181
2003105
20042062
20051130
20061016
2007364
2008428
2009207
2010172
2011611
2012247
2013183
2014162
2015230
201675
2017152
201869
201945
202036

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 14%

14% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch and lock.

INJURY
TIRES 13%

13% of complaints: tires — 38 distinct reports on file, 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, 20120328

STRUCTURE 13%

13% of complaints: structure — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door and hinge and attachments.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 294
R 19981103 — electrical system

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 ALABAM

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 -

Campaign 98E035000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19991117 — PE (closed 20000412)

STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO CENTER

I 20020430 — DP (closed 20020620)

ENGINE SEIZURE

R 20101012 — structure

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, D

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 REME

Campaign 10V160000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — electrical system

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.

Campaign 98V278000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Toyota Sienna — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (38 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V278000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E035000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V160000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2020 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2005 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.