RoadVitals

1998 Toyota Sienna Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Nov 23, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 294 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Toyota Sienna submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Nov 23, 2016

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
Electrical
Filed Jul 3, 2015

HORN WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW NOT AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
10731891
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 6, 2013

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
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 12, 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
Electrical
Filed Jun 16, 2010

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
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 24, 2010

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
Electrical
Filed Sep 7, 2005

PROBLEM WITH THE HORN ON MY 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE HORN STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES, AND TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES. SPENT OVER $1400 AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE RELAY, CHANGED CONTACTS, SANDED CONTACTS, AND STILL, THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. FOR THE MOST PART THE HORN WORKS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND COOL. AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR TO 1 HOUR, THE HORN STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY BY "JIGGLING" THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUSHING THE HORN AT THE SAME TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IN A NUTSHELL, IT IS VERY ERRATIC AND VIRTUALLY ALWAYS STOPS WORKING WHEN WE ARE ON A ROAD TRIP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE HORN TYPICALLY DOES NOT WORK AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SOMEONE ON THE HIGHWAY CUTS ME OFF AND IT'S NECESSARY TO USE THE HORN. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND OTHERWISE RUNS FINE DESPITE HAVING 150,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE BEEN VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE DEALERS AND THEIR OBVIOUS LACK OF EXPERTISE OR PERSISTENCE IN TROUBLESHOOTING THIS UNUSUAL ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10135722
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Electrical
Filed Aug 6, 2003

SINCE JUNE 2003 THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE HORN WOULD NOT OPERATE ALL THE TIME. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 8/5/2003. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10032200
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Electrical
Filed Jul 15, 2003

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMOBLE, IN THAT WHEN SHE TURNS IT OFF, IT STARTS, AND WHEN SHE PUTS IT IN PARK, IT STARTS UP. SHE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, WHO DISCONNECTED THE ALARM SYSTEM, AND THE AUTOMOBILE STOPPED DOING THE ABOVE. SHE STATED THAT THE MECHANIC FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THESE CARS, AND THAT WAS THE EXACT PROBLEM SHE WAS HAVING WITH VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10027334
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Electrical
Filed Dec 4, 2001

SUMMARY OF VEHICLE (TOYOTA SIENNA), GARAGE, AND HOUSE FIRE ON AUGUST 13, 2001. *AK

NHTSA ID
755296
Incident
Aug 13, 2001
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 11, 2001

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE HORN WILL SUDDENLY BECOME INOPPERATIVE CAUSING AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION OF OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE HORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 08/28/2001 WHERE I WAS TOLD THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT WAS DISTORTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($470.00) NOT 3 WEEKS LATER THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED, THE HORN SUDDENLY BECOMES INOPPERATIVE. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH WE PAID ALMOST $900.00 DOLLARS FOR. THE IS OBVIOULSY A VERY SERIOUS SAFTEY CONCERN AND ARE THERE ANY AVENUES TO PERSUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM PAID FOR BY TOYOTA? I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH TOYOTA AND THERE EXTENDED WARRANTY POLICY.*AK

NHTSA ID
753090
Incident
Aug 28, 2001
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Dec 26, 2000

THE INNER SLIDING DOOR RELEASE BUTTON STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION, THE DOOR HAS BEEN REPAIRED BUT NOW IT RATTLES AND SQUEEKS. NLM

NHTSA ID
785180
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Sep 28, 1999

NO SUMMARY,

NHTSA ID
712351
Incident
Sep 25, 1999
ElectricalTires & wheels
Filed Sep 8, 1999

TIRES. HORN.

NHTSA ID
609560
Electrical
Filed Sep 8, 1999

RADIO AMPLIFIER.

NHTSA ID
609506
Incident
Aug 1, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .