1998 Toyota Sienna Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 14%of 294 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1998 Toyota Sienna, 14% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My 98 Sienna xle has had intermittent problems with the (manual) sliding doors not opening without and adult pulling outside. Then mysteriously the problem goes away. Today my wife and kids were about town and couldn't get the driver's side sliding door to close. The locking mechanism is locked in the closed position. She had to drive home in traffic holding a bungee cord to keep the door mostly closed while the kids were in the very back seat. I worked on it for a while when I got home but there isn't a way to get the mechanism to open. …”
NHTSA complaint #10279384, filed 2009-08, 156,100 miles“1998 Toyota Sienna sliding door on left and right get stuck and will not open. In case of accident or fire my grandchildren would not be able to get out. Rear door handle broke off in my hand which would create the same hazard of not being able to exit. I've had this problem since I bought the car, and they have never been able to fix it even though they have tried. There are many complaints about thiis very problem from Sienna owners. This will definitely cost someone's life.”
NHTSA complaint #10086568, filed 2004-08, 1,500 miles“The push-button on the inside of the sliding side-doors fails to release. In the case the door is unlocked, this prevents to door from closing. If the door is locked, the button does not release, keeping the door from being unlocked and thus the door cannot be opened.”
NHTSA complaint #10365069, filed 2010-11, 114,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 4% |
| 2013 | 9 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 11 | 6% |
| 2009 | 5 | 2% |
| 2008 | 13 | 3% |
| 2007 | 19 | 5% |
| 2006 | 67 | 7% |
| 2005 | 135 | 12% |
| 2004 | 308 | 15% |
| 2003 | 21 | 20% |
| 2002 | 27 | 15% |
| 2001 | 34 | 19% |
| 2000 | 36 | 10% |
| 1999 | 19 | 9% |
| 1998 | 40 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Sienna
44 complaintsTires
38 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology