Model year record

1998 Toyota Sienna

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 352 owner complaints on file.

Toyota Sienna, 1998–2003 generation
Pictured: the 1998–2003 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V160000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
600,000
Reported to NHTSA
2010-04-20
Owners notified
2010-10-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V278000

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
Manufacturer
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS
Vehicles affected
1,960
Reported to NHTSA
1998-10-19

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2820,000 mi
Tires2435,000 mi
Structure: body: door20102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline17—
Tires: tread/belt1772,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1388,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1270,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip12106,000 mi
Steering1067,000 mi
Electrical system8131,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc8—
Air bags699,080 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch662,000 mi
Unknown or other6—
Engine and engine cooling535,431 mi
Latches/locks/linkages5114,000 mi
Seat belts599,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum5—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5—
Structure574,500 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments51,500 mi
Suspension5137,500 mi
Vehicle speed control5102,000 mi
Air bags: frontal4108,884 mi
Electrical system: horn4220,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Power train4140,000 mi
Suspension: front4—
Visibility: windshield4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3—
Structure: body3100,000 mi
Structure: frame and members3—
Visibility: glass, side/rear343,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls395,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module245,007 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock21,500 mi
Power train: axle assembly2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices278,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Steering: column23,800 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Wheels: rim2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1102,000 mi
Engine1140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail140,545 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap118,000 mi
Parking brake166,984 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)197,375 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other179,700 mi
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes1137,500 mi
Service brakes, air1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—

The 1997 model has 176 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Toyota Sienna model years

All Toyota Sienna recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.