1998 Toyota Sienna Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe two kinds of trouble: sliding-door handles and latches that stick, jam or break, and engine oil sludge that leads to stalling and, in several complaints, engine replacement. Brake, tire and steering complaints also appear, usually at higher mileage, and several owners describe trouble getting the dealer to cover repairs.

1. 1
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Sliding door handles and latches stick or break

   • 57 complaints (19%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2010

   Owners describe rear sliding doors that stick, need an adult to pull them open, or fail to open from inside or outside. In several complaints the interior push-button stays stuck down or the exterior handle breaks off during normal use, and in some cases the door will not latch closed. Complaints say dealers often told owners the rubber weatherstripping had to stay clean, or treated it as a billable repair, and that attempts to fix it did not last. Reported from very low mileage up past 100,000 miles, with some owners describing the problem in cold weather and others in hot weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Open and close both sliding doors several times, from the inside button and the outside handle, and check that each latches shut and releases reliably. Ask whether the door mechanism has been serviced or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since our purchase of our 1998 Toyota Sienna van we have experienced sparatic problems with both slider doors of the van. I have taken it to several Toyota dealerships where they tell me that the rubber stripping has to remain clean. I followed their suggestion and to this day it is still happening. This poses a problem when both doors will not open and everyone has to climb through the front doors.”

   NHTSA complaint #10106045, filed 2005-01, 20,000 miles

   “Passenger sliding door handle/button (interior) jam 6 out of 10 times, making it impossible for passengers to exit car. I have reported this to dealer several times, only to be told it's a billable repair, despite there being a known problem with this vehicle/handle. Many occasions my kids have had to climb out through the front seats or tailgate, making this a legitimate safety hazard. 1998 Toyota Sienna le vid4t3gf13cwu068998.”

   NHTSA complaint #10065677, filed 2004-04, 10,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine oil sludge and engine stalling

   • 25 complaints (9%)
   • median 77,342 mi at 5.6 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,900 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2013

   Complaints describe the oil light or check engine light coming on, knocking or stalling, and a dealer finding sludge buildup in the engine. Several owners say the engine was flushed, rebuilt or replaced, and some report the problem came back. Owners also describe disputes over oil-change records, with dealers attributing the sludge to maintenance intervals. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, with a few at much lower mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition, look for a sludge smell or dark gritty residue under the oil cap, and ask for service records showing regular oil changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine light came on in my 1998 Toyota Sienna on i75 in atlanta ga while visiting friends, was able to get to median before it died. Had it towed to independent mechanic who verified sludge build up. Called Toyota about engine failure. Was told to take van to a Toyota dealership in sc (where we live) towed the van home took it to dealership who also verified sludge build up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10150407, filed 2006-02, 127,910 miles

   “We have a Toyota Sienna van. In 8/02 we had 'oil gel sludging' and the engine was fixed under warranty. Now, we have exactly the same problem and Toyota refuses to pay for the repair. With the initial repair, they acknowledged it was a design flaw. Since the engine was poorly designed, and there is a recurring problem due to the design, why do they think a one-time repair will suffice?”

   NHTSA complaint #10049536, filed 2003-12, 109,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and blowouts

   • 27 complaints (9%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2012

   Owners describe tread separating from tires at highway speed, sometimes on more than one tire on the same vehicle, and in some cases a bulge or knots in the tread with plenty of tread left. Complaints say tires were properly inflated and rotated, and that the dealer replaced or inspected the tires afterward. Reported from about 30,000 to 60,000 miles, typically at highway speeds.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect all four tires and the spare for bulges, cracks or uneven wear, check their date codes, and confirm the spare tire carrier cable condition, which is covered by a service campaign.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On may 24, 2004, my wife was driving our Toyota Sienna van north on I-35 in oklahoma at highway speed when the front driver side tire blew out and the tread separated. The tire was replaced by the dealer and all other tires checked for wear. On july 17, 2004 I was driving the same van on I-44 in oklahoma at highway speed when the driver side rear tire's tread separated and went flat. There was no road hazard encountered at etiher event.”

   NHTSA complaint #10086084, filed 2004-08, 72,000 miles

   “Had a right rear tire (firestone f 680) delaminate while traveling on interstate while driving a 1998 Toyota Sienna le. Tire was original equipment, had 35,000 miles, and was properly inflated (checked night before incident). Result of tread delamination was loss of rear wheel well cover and damage to rear bumper.”

   NHTSA complaint #10014125, filed 2003-04, 35,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering wander, clunking or loss of steering

   • 14 complaints (5%)
   • median 67,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2015

   Complaints describe the van pulling or wandering so the driver has to keep correcting the wheel, and clunking noises when turning that a mechanic traced to a broken steering rack mount. A few owners describe the steering wheel locking or the steering shaft breaking, leaving the wheel unable to turn the vehicle. Reported from very low mileage up to around 100,000 miles, in ordinary driving and while turning at low speed.

   What to check: Drive on a straight road and check for pulling or wander, and listen for clunks while turning the wheel with the van stationary or at low speed. Ask whether the steering rack or shaft has been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On oct 14th 2006 at about 4:45 pm I was driving in a parking lot at slow speed. I came to a stop and then tried to make a right turn. As I turned the wheel and applied the gas the steering column made a noise like breaking plastic and the car moved in a straight line despite the wheel beeing turned. I increased the turning motion until it was clear steering had failed. Since the lot was empty I brought the car to a stop without incident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10174880, filed 2006-12, 108,884 miles

   “My wife was driving a 98 Toyota Sienna with kids on the freeway in a comuter lane. All of a sudden the steering wheel started vibrating and locked in left position. As a result they ended up crashing in the middle divider head on. The van took a 180 degree spin and hit from the back. We have done 99000 miles on this van in last 5 years. This is totally a malfunction or mechanical failure of steering wheel. We have done long trips with our van in the past 5 years and never had problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10056363, filed 2004-02, 99,080 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission noise, slipping and delayed engagement

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe transmission noise that changes with speed, slipping, and moments where the transmission will not engage or disengages at highway speed. Some mention a warranty extension for transmission problems, and complain that repairs were not covered once the vehicle passed the time or mileage limits. Mostly reported between about 77,000 and 170,000 miles.

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and listen for whining or humming that changes with speed, and check that shifts are firm and prompt. Ask for transmission service records and whether any warranty extension work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At interstate speed I had a few second drag and then complete transmission disengagement. Managed to get it off the interstate by letting it set a few minutes and being able to drive a 1/4 mile or so at a time. I have always taken very good care of the van including fluid changes. It only has 77,000 miles but Toyota refuses to do anything about it even though they are aware of the defect( because there warranty extension is only for 8 years 100,000 and I am over the 8 years.”

   NHTSA complaint #10182822, filed 2007-02, 77,000 miles

   “We have a 1998 Toyota Sienna le with about 88,000 miles on it. We do not drive the car too much and most of the time it sits in our garage. On the way up to nh from nj at june 17 2006, the transmission started to have problems, which the transmission was sometimes unable to engage. We finally made it home and sent the car to the Toyota dealer. The dealer told us this is a known issue. That are known for transmission failures. We understand that the extended warranty covered up to 100,000 miles and 8 years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10161395, filed 2006-07, 88,000 miles

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.