1999 Toyota Sienna Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 215 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Toyota Sienna, 5% of the 215 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car was off, the key was not in the ignition. My two year old daughter was in the front of the car. She touched the shifter and it went between park and reverse; the car started rolling down our driveway. She did not press the brake (she is unable to) but the car went into reverse. The van hit a tree. We checked and the car was in between park and reverse. So, somehow, the car reversed even though it was in park, turned off, and the brake was not touched.”
NHTSA complaint #10616686, filed 2014-07, 165,000 miles“I have a Toyota Sienna 99 and my check light coming out and start to smoke so I find the engine do the oil be sludge, I want to know if is some way of Toyota fix this problem for me whit out charge because is a manufacture problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10361130, filed 2010-10, 118,580 miles“We currently own a 1999 Sienna which has had transmission problems for about a month. It has been serviced according to the reccomended maintenance, with no towing of any kind. The van has 70,000 miles which is just over the warranty. Upon our first call to our local Toyota dealership, there was only a statement from a representative stating the 5 year/60,000 mile warranty. No further assistance was given. Although upon a second call, a representative stated there was a noted problem with the transmission and it would most likely be covered under a recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10028538, filed 2003-07, 70,000 miles“Dt: 99 Toyota Sienna. Consumer started hearing a strange noise. Consumer took vehicle to mechanic and was told transmission is failing. Consumer says jubralta transmission said that at any point transmission could die. Consumer took car to dealership and they wanted $85 to check. Vehicle stayed with mechanic. As part of regular maintenance, transmission flush was being performed and there was a burning smell. Consumer that flush could finish off transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10124525, filed 2005-06, 75,000 miles“All the above data is an estimate becuase we are waiting for copies of all maintenance and repair records from Toyota - - but we have had multiple problems with this vehicle including screeching brakes, left veer when driving, bad transmission (replaced twice),smog check failure due to oxygen sensor and/or engine problems, clunking noises in engine, a shuddering of vehicle when driving or braking. The car has been at dealers for as long as 3 weeks; dealer admits not knowing what is wrong. Failed”
NHTSA complaint #10068983, filed 2004-01Related 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 1999 Toyota Sienna
39 complaintsBody and structure
36 complaintsTires
28 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
19 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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