1998 Toyota Sienna
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 294 |
| 1999 | 215 |
| 2000 | 363 |
| 2001 | 180 |
| 2002 | 181 |
| 2003 | 105 |
| 2004 | 2062 |
| 2005 | 1130 |
| 2006 | 1016 |
| 2007 | 364 |
| 2008 | 428 |
| 2009 | 207 |
| 2010 | 172 |
| 2011 | 610 |
| 2012 | 246 |
| 2013 | 182 |
| 2014 | 162 |
| 2015 | 227 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 151 |
| 2018 | 68 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2020 | 36 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
10% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 28 distinct reports on file.
INJURY7% of complaints: tires — 22 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow 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
7% of complaints: structure — 20 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.
FIRE5% of complaints: tires — 14 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO CENTER
ENGINE SEIZURE
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
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 latches/locks/linkages issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (20 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Sienna have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.