1998 Toyota Sienna Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 8%of 294 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Toyota Sienna, 8% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I came home and turned my ignition switch off but my 1998 Toyota van kept running.turning the key on and off did not turn it off. I tried shutting it down with the ignition switch again and again and again. I tried turning it off again while moving the gear selector lever but to no avail. I begin to smell burning rubber. I lifted the hood and realized the engine was being turned over by the starter which was not disengaging and starting to smoke. Then tons of smoke began boiling off the starter. I disconnected the positive battery connection and the engaged starter stopped cranking the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10515398, filed 2013-06, 140,000 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. But our car just passed it by 5-6 weeks and is well under 100,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161395, filed 2006-07, 88,000 miles“The car is shifted from park to drive and it accelerates suddenly without me pressing the accelerator. Pressing the brakes do not stop the car, the only way to stop it is by shifting into park or neutral.”
NHTSA complaint #10639985, filed 2014-09, 167,997 miles“While cleaning the vehicle consumer's son inadvertently moved the gear shift lever. Vehicle began to roll backwards until the gear shifted was placed back in park. The gear shift lever can be moved, even when the key is not in the ignition.”
NHTSA complaint #10079563, filed 2004-06, 97,375 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 5% |
| 2020 | 8 | 21% |
| 2019 | 7 | 15% |
| 2018 | 20 | 28% |
| 2017 | 38 | 24% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% |
| 2013 | 14 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 7% |
| 2011 | 30 | 5% |
| 2010 | 17 | 10% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 38 | 9% |
| 2007 | 31 | 9% |
| 2006 | 40 | 4% |
| 2005 | 48 | 4% |
| 2004 | 89 | 4% |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 67 | 18% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 23 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Sienna
44 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
40 complaintsTires
38 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsSteering
25 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