RoadVitals

1999 Toyota Sienna

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
215
Latest Dec 16, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 20, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
18
25 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 215 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Toyota Sienna, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and tires & wheels categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 101 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10V160000

STRUCTURE

Apr 20, 2010
600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
The risk: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number AOEView on NHTSA.gov
98E035000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

Oct 19, 1998
1,960 units potentially affected
The defect: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS USED ON 1998-1998 TOYOTA RAV4, AVALON, AND SIENNA MODEL VEHICLES DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN "OPEN CIRCUIT" CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.
AUDIOVOX CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
98V278000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

Oct 19, 1998
1,960 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS (TDS) SUPPLIED BY AUDIOVOX CORPORATION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORSView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP02004ClosedDefect Petition

ENGINE SEIZURE

Opened Apr 30, 2002
Closed Jun 20, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE99070ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO CENTER

Opened Nov 17, 1999
Closed Apr 12, 2000

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 215
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 16, 2020

THE VAN HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AT TIMES IT IS HARD TO SLOW IT DOWN EVEN STOP IT. THE PROBLEM MAINLY OCCURS FROM STOP AND GO ESPECIALLY IF IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR FEW HOURS.

NHTSA ID
11383773
Incident
Dec 12, 2020
Mileage
173,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 3, 2016

THE CABLE TO MY DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR SNAPPED, THUS THE DOOR CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY. THIS DEFECT IS UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR MODEL YEARS 2004-2007, BUT I HAVE A 2009 MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ID
10862745
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
109,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Dec 10, 2014
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING, MY SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CABLES SNAPPED. THE CAR BEHIND ME RAN OVER IT AND I AM NOW BEING CHARGED FOR THE DAMAGES TO THAT PERSON'S CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663491
Incident
Nov 13, 2014
Mileage
305,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2014
Crash reported

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. *JS

NHTSA ID
10616686
Incident
Jul 27, 2014
Mileage
165,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEARING SHIFTER ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR, WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10579610
Incident
Apr 11, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

NHTSA ID
10563840
Incident
May 3, 2005
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 25, 2013

1999 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT OF FAULTY TIRE CARRIER REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN EARLY 2006, HE NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WAS INOPERABLE, AND APPARENTLY, IT HAD RUSTED IN PLACE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE REPAIR STATION, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CORRODED SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $300. SOMETIME LATER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, REGARDING THE PROBLEM HE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER THEN SUBMITTED THE PAPERWORK FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, TOYOTA DENIED THE REQUEST, BASED ON THE FACT, THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE WORK PERFORMED AT AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SHOWING COMPLETION OF SSC A9E. THE CONSUMER THEN WENT TO AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. TOYOTA DENIED THE REIMBURSEMENT AGAIN, IN A LETTER WHICH STATED THE REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN SSC A9E. UPDATED 02/06/13.

NHTSA ID
10494221
Incident
Feb 1, 2006
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 9, 2012

ON 11/25/2012 AT ABOUT 10:00 PM, AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 100 MILES, THE FRONT WHEEL ON DRIVER SIDE BEGAN TO MAKE A SMALL NOISE AND SMALL VIBRATION AND LATER THE TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED BY AT A REST AREA AND DIDN?T SEE ANY NOTICEABLE PROBLEM. SINCE IT?S ABOUT 50 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, I DECIDED TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND THE NOISE AND VIBRATION CONTINUED. I CHECKED THE TIRE THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND IT FLATTENED. I FIXED IT WITH A TIRE REPAIR PLUG, PUMP IT AND I FOUND A BUBBLE ABOUT 4-INCH IN DIAMETER. I DROVE BACK TO VINELAND TOYOTA IN VINELAND, NJ ON 12/7/2012 SINCE THE TIRE WAS ONLY 18 MONTHS OLD AND WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. AFTER TAKING DOWN THE TIRE, I FOUND, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TIRE, THERE WAS ANOTHER BUBBLE IN DIAMETER 3-INCH. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF TIRES OF GOOD YEAR. IF I KEPT DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR FEW MORE MILES, THE TIRE WOULD EXPLODE AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT! *TR

NHTSA ID
10487774
Incident
Nov 25, 2012
Mileage
19,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0043-14

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.

TSB003220

AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

T-SB-0057-18

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.

TTT063620

BACK OVER PREVENTION; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

Toyota PRO19-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

Toyota Safety Re

AIR BAGS

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Sienna by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020362049.1
2019457059.7
2018697056.5
201715210064.3
2016755053.4
20152296059.0
20141626157.4
20131836158.2
20122479156.9
201161114158.3
20101728055.5
200920710057.2
20084289055.0
200736410055.4
20061,01611358.7
20051,13012662.2
20042,062101063.1
20031051044.3
20021811149.1
20011802048.2
20003631248.5
1999Viewing2153257.3
19982943257.1
1997201—
1996301—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.