1998 Toyota Sienna Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota Sienna.

19971999
Complaints
352
Crashes
23
Fires
4
Injuries
22
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 1998 Toyota Sienna Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#128 complaints

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Avg mileage:39,164 mi
#224 complaints

Tire Defects

Avg mileage:94,000 mi
Fires:1
#320 complaints

Structure:Body:Door

Avg mileage:84,375 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Toyota Sienna.

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
28
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
39,164
Tire Defects
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
94,000
Structure:Body:Door
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,375
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,000
Automatic Transmission
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
229,133
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,667
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
106,000
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
59,854
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
135,250
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
159,520
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,982
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,443
Latches / Locks
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
128,033
Seat Belt Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
108,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
91,375
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
1,500
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
137,500
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
113,600
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota Sienna. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 1998 Toyota Sienna

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~600,000 vehicles.

10V160000Structure
~600,000 affected

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.

Other Toyota Sienna Years

1998 Toyota Sienna — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1998 Toyota Sienna reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Toyota Sienna has 352 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch with 28 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
Top reported problems: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch (28 complaints, avg 39,164 mi); Tire Defects (24 complaints, avg 94,000 mi); Structure:Body:Door (20 complaints, avg 84,375 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 92,118 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Toyota Sienna include 23 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 22 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Toyota Sienna have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 600,000 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 1998 Toyota Sienna?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Sienna reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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