1998 Toyota Sienna Owner Complaints

steering component that breaks, causing a driver to lose control.

NHTSA ID

11575190

Incident

Aug 16, 2017

GEAR SHIFTER MOUNT UNIT ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE APART, STRANDING THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11220335

Incident

Aug 16, 2018

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT END COLLISION. WE WERE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, WRECKED, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN OUR LANE AND FACING US. MY HUSBAND BRAKED HARD BUT WE COULD NOT AVOID THE VEHICLE. WE TRULY HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST WE WERE GOING AT IMPACT BUT I WOULD GUESS 30-40 MPH. IT HAD JUST STARTED RAINING LIGHTLY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. SEAT BELTS AND GOD SAVED US. NO MAJOR INJURIES.

NHTSA ID

11042613

Incident

Oct 22, 2017

Mileage

220,000 mi

STARTED TO GET CLUNKING/RATTLING NOISES ON HIGHWAY THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. REDUCED SPEED TO 50 MPH. ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING AROUND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE (ABOUT 9PM). SLOWLY DROVE TO MECHANIC ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND LEFT CAR OVERNIGHT. RETURNED NEXT MORNING AND EXAMINED BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. FOUND VERY LITTLE FLUID IN RESERVOIR - DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE ENTIRE BOTTOM. MECHANIC REPORTED THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING FAILED (APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS). AFTER FAILING THE STRUT PUNCTURED THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR (ABOUT 3/8" HOLE) AT ONE OF THE CORNERS (SEE PHOTO) ALLOWING THE FLUID TO DRAIN. SHOULD I HAVE LOST ALMOST ALL FLUID WITH A 2 CIRCUIT BRAKING SYSTEM? DOES THE RESERVOIR HAVE AN INTERNAL BAFFLE TO PREVENT ALMOST TOTAL LOSE OF FLUID? I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS.

NHTSA ID

10928925

Incident

Nov 24, 2016

Mileage

137,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V278000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID

10927607

Incident

Nov 16, 2016

HORN WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW NOT AT ALL.

NHTSA ID

10731891

Incident

Jul 1, 2013

Mileage

170,000 mi

CAR STARTED MAKING CLUNKING NOISES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE IT AND EXAMINED THE STEERING. HE VALIDATED THE CLUNKING NOISE AND SAID HE FOUND THE STEERING RACK WAS BROKEN AT THE MOUNT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

10724653

Incident

Jun 9, 2015

Mileage

67,000 mi

SINCE I BOUGHT MY 1998 USED TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 190XXX MILES, WHEN PRESS A LITTE BIT THE GAS PEDAL ON A UPHILL IT START TO ACCELERATE LIKE CRAZY, I CAN BARELY STOP IT, I MUST TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VAN, TODAY I WAS ON A VERY PRONUNTIATED UPHILL AND ALMOST CRASH BECAUSE IT ACCELERATES ITSELF WHEN PRESS A LITTLE THE GAS PEDAL. I''M SCARED TO USE THE VAN AGAIN BUT I DON'T HAVE OTHER CHOISE AND AT THE SAME TIME I'M SCARED TO SELL THE VAN TO SOMEONE ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10643221

Incident

Oct 8, 2014

Mileage

193,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639985

Incident

Sep 29, 2014

Mileage

167,997 mi

IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS CREATED ARTIFICIAL OBSTACLES TO PREVENT MY OBTAINMENT OF AN ELIGIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL (SAFETY RECALL A9E - TIRE CARRIER CABLE) REPAIRS. IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD THE CABLE INSPECTED THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL LETTER BUT I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. ON OCTOBER 2, 2013 I WROTE TO TOYOTA FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION AND ATTACHED THE ORIGINAL WORK ORDER FROM A TOYOTA DEALER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PART NUMBER "51900-08010" AS REQUIRED. I RECEIVED AN OCTOBER 17TH RESPONSE SAYING I NEEDED TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THREE QUESTIONS:REASON THE VEHICLE BROUGHT INTO THE REPAIR FACILITY; THE REPAIR FACILITY DIAGNOSES, AND THE REPAIR PERFORMED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE CONCERN. AFTER SEVERAL TELEPHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AGAIN HAVING THE CURRENT CABLE REINSPECTED, OBTAINING AND FORWARDING COPIES OF THE REPAIR ORDER, PROOF OF PAYMENT, AND OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP USING AN IDENTICAL PART NUMBER FOR REIMBURSEMENT ELIGIBILITY, I WAS DIRECTED TO CONTACT THE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP AND OBTAIN WRITTEN INFORMATION ON THE CAUSE OF THE BREAKAGE THAT OCCURRED NEARLY TEN YEARS EARLIER AND THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT HIM BECAUSE HE WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE. I SENT A LETTER, DATED JANUARY 20, 2014, TO HIM BUT NEVER EVEN RECEIVED AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. ALTHOUGH I'VE DONE EVERYTHING REQUIRED, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE, HAD REPAIRS COMPLETED USING THE PROPER PART NUMBER, AS SHOWN ON THE REPAIR WORKSHEET ISSUED BY A TOYOTA DEALER, I'VE BEEN DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO TOYOTA'S OWN DEALERSHIP REPAIR MANAGER'S LACK OF COOPERATION. IF THE REPAIRS WERE NOT DUE TO THE CABLE BREAKAGE AND IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT NEEDED, WHY DID THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DO THE REPAIR AND CHARGE ME FOR IT? COPIES - LETTERS AND RECEIPTS WILL BE PROVIDED, IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10621714

Incident

Jul 21, 2004

Mileage

74,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V160000(STRUCTURE) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID

10588148

Incident

May 7, 2012

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. HEAVY SMOKE CONTINUED BOILING FROM THE STARTER FOR ABOUT A MINUTE LONGER. I WAS VERY GLAD I WAS NOT INSIDE THE GARAGE BECAUSE I THINK THE STARTER COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE OR THE SMOKE WOULD HAVE SMOTHERED ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10515398

Incident

Jun 5, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

TIRE SEEMED OUT OF BALANCE AT NARROW RANGE OF SPEEDS (60-65MPH), BUT SMOOTH AT 68MPH FOR MONTHS; RECENTLY NOTICED VEHICLE ROCKING WHEN COLD AND AT LOW SPEEDS; TODAY SAW AN OUTWARD BULGE IN REAR TIRE TREAD (DIRECTIONALLY OUTWARD FROM AXLE). AM SEEKING A REPLACEMENT TIRE BEFORE TREAD SEPARATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10453297

Incident

Mar 27, 2011

Mileage

296,000 mi

DRIVER IN WRONG LANE HIT MY VAN, WITH MOST OF IMPACT ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VAN. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALLED IN COLLISION. RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT INITIALLY HELD, BUT RELEASED DURING COLLISION AND PASSENGER ENDED UP ON DRIVER'S ARMREST. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TT

NHTSA ID

10444654

Incident

Dec 17, 2011

I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE NOT WORKING I WONDER IF THIS CAN BE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE OR DO I JUST HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10381713

Incident

Jan 18, 2011

Mileage

220,000 mi

1998 TOYOTA SIENNA CANNOT LOCK AND UNLOCK BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS ELECTRONICALLY FROM THE LOCK-AND-UNLOCK BUTTONS OF THE FRONT DRIVE AND PASSENGER CAR DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10365070

Incident

May 1, 2010

Mileage

114,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10365069

Incident

May 1, 2010

Mileage

114,000 mi

ON AUGUST 25, 2010, I WAS TAKING MY GRANDCHILDREN TO RAINBOW STATION DAYCARE IN OUR TOYOTA SPORTS VAN SIENNA XLE, 1998. WARRENTON TOYOTA DEALER IN VIRGINIA PERFORMED A FULL 100,000-MILE SERVICE ON VAN ON JULY 10, 2010. I TURNED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE DAY CARE AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO PARK THE CAR, THERE WAS UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE CAR AND CAR WENT FROM PARKING LOT TO SIDEWALK AND BEGAN GOING TOWARDS THE OFFICE OF THE DAYCARE. I TURNED THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT AS FAR AS I COULD IN ORDER TO GET AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE DAYCARE AND THE LOBBY (BOTH HAVE A GLASS WALL) AND WAS TRYING TO GET BACK TO THE PARKING LOT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I TRIED TO PUSH THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP INSTEAD IT LEFT CAR TIRE TRACK MARKS ON THE SIDEWALK AND THE FRONT LAWN OF THE DAYCARE. THE CAR FINALLY HIT THE BRICK WALL AND STOPPED. FORTUNATELY THE GRANDCHILDREN WERE SAFE. MY RIGHT HAND WRIST BONE (RADIUS) WAS BROKEN. I HAD TO UNDERGO SURGERY. OUR CAR WAS TOTALED AND IS BEYOND REPAIR. TOYOTA IS TRYING TO FIND OUT HE CAUSE OF ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10354012

Incident

Aug 25, 2010

Mileage

102,000 mi

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. THIS CAN BE REMEDIED BY SLIDING A FLAT BLADE UNDER THE BUTTON TO RELEASE IT. THIS AFFECTS THE 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10349422

Incident

Jan 1, 1999

WIRING PROBLEM--ELECTRIC GOING ON UNUSUAL PATHS--PUSHING THE BRAKE TURNS ON THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH--I WONDER IF PUSHING THE BRAKE COULD CAUSE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10336630

Incident

May 31, 2010

Mileage

131,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD REV HIGH EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE THEN REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING. UPDATED 06/22/10. *JB

NHTSA ID

10331991

Incident

Jan 1, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PRIUS IN CALIFORNIA THE SAME DID HAPPEN TO US BACK IN 1999 WITH OUR TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-5 IN OREGON. SHE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO OVERTAKE A CAR AND THEN WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. SHE DROVE INTO THE HWY MEDIAN FENCE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN WE CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY DIDN'T ADMIT ANY FAULT WITH THEIR CAR (THE SAME WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW) AND TOLD US IT WAS OUR FAULT THAT WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE THEIR BRAKES. WE HAVE SEVERAL CARS BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER CARS. I DIDN'T BUY A TOYOTA AFTER THAT CRASH BUT I AM ALSO WORRIED WHO ELSE THE PART SUPPLIER HAS BEEN SUPPLYING PARTS TO. I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10320263

Incident

Jul 15, 1999

Mileage

20,000 mi

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA SIENNA, SUPERVISED BY MY WIFE. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VAN ACCELERATED ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAUSING A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE VAN WAS TOTALLED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT THE ONCOMING CAR WAS ALSO A TOYOTA, SPEEDING THROUGH THE TRAFFIC. I ASKED THAT BOTH VEHICLES BE INSPECTED FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND POLICE FOUND IT EASIER TO BLAME THE ACCIDENT ON MY DAUGHTER THAN INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

10313932

Incident

Nov 11, 2009

Mileage

126,000 mi

I BOUGHT A TOYOTA SIENNA MY '98 BRAND NEW IN MAY 1998 AND STILL OWN IT. THIS CAR ALSO HAS DEMONSTRATED A SIMILAR PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ' VEERING TO RIGHT. THE DRIVER HAS TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING STRAIGHT. EVEN AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS IN '98, '99, AND 2000, RESPECTIVELY, WERE MADE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BY A TOYOTA DEALER (COPY OF THE PAPERWORK CAN BE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST), THE PROBLEM HAS YET BEEN CORRECTED SUCCESSFULLY AS OF TODAY. THIS PROBLEM INCREASES DRIVING FATIGUE ESPECIALLY LONG TRIPS AND IN TURN MAY INCREASE THE CHANCE OF AUTO ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10312558

Incident

Dec 19, 2000

Mileage

13,483 mi

I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA LE. ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE PANELS WITHOUT HELP FROM THE PASSENGERS. IF YOU LEAN FORWARD THEY STAY WHERE THEY ARE EXTENDED TO. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOKED AT AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE RETURN SPRINGS HAVE ALL RELAXED. THIS IS THE 4TH TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE I HAVE OWNED AND ALL OF THEM HAVE DONE THIS. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS CAN BE SAFE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10283614

Incident

Aug 18, 2008

Mileage

117,000 mi