Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Loud bang from egine followed by fire. Dealer says engine threw a rod and found hole in engine. Also damage to right axle from projectile from engine. Complained about white smoke at startup to dealer at 22,500 mile service, but dealer found no problems. Now dealer refuses to honor warranty claiming that sludge is in engine. When I had similar smoke problem with 1998 Toyota camry, dealer advised that the valve seals were defective and replaced the valve seals and gasket under warranty. Internet serches have revealed at least one and possibly as many as three other similar engine failures due to sludge after complaints were made to the dealer of white smoke at startup. I also found multiple reports of engine failure assoiciated with white smoke at startup when doing searches regarding the camry. …
We leased a 1998 Toyota Sienna because it was the safest van out there at the time. Two years later I was driving to work, when the ( dummy gauge) for the oil light turned on. I stopped at the first gas station and checked the oil it was fine. On my way home that morning from work on the freeway. The oil light came on again, then suddenly the engine stalled & I heard some knocking noise , I pulled over, and had it towed to the Toyota dealearship where we leased the van. They had it checked out then told us that there was oil sludging and has caused engine damage. They told us that the van needed a new engine and it was not covered under warranty because we had gone over the warranty miles. The estimate was over 5,000.00 , we did not have the funds, or credit available to cover for the estimate on the van. So we had no other choice but to give it up as a voluntary repo. …
Engine light came on in my 1998 Toyota Sienna on i75 in atlanta ga while visiting friends, was able to get to median before it died. Had it towed to independent mechanic who verified sludge build up. Called Toyota about engine failure. Was told to take van to a Toyota dealership in sc (where we live) towed the van home took it to dealership who also verified sludge build up. Was told by Toyota that they were aware of the problems in their engines but was not going to pay for engine replacement because we did not have receipts proving that oil/filters changes were made. We changed our oil every 3000 miles without fail. If we didn't engine would have died sooner. Toyota did say that we could pay for repairs $9000 and then submit receipts for review and May be reimbursed for repairs. Still fighting with Toyota, have made complaint with bbb. …
My car's engine failed at 20,000 miles. The dealer said it was due to sludge, based on my not changing the oil often enough. I had changed the oil every 6000 miles, not every 3000 miles. The dealer, jim coleman Toyota of bethesda md stated that I was at fault and that Toyota would do nothing for me. First coleman flushed the engine, at a cost of 1000. When this repair only held for 2000 miles or so, I was told I needed to replace my engine. I did so at ernie's, a top-rated repair shop in bethesda (consumer check list)at a cost of 5600, considerably less than Toyota's price of 7500. I have faithfully changed my oil since that time on or before the 3000 mile mark. The engine has again failed due to sludge build-up!!! I am now expecting that Toyota will replace the engine at no cost to me, but I am concerned that there will be some catch to this...
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.
While driving 35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle stalled on the highway. The dealer examined the vehicle and found a build up of sludge in the engine. A new engine was installed. Two years later, the same problem recurred and a new engine was needed. On March 22, 2004 the check engine light had come on. On March 23, 2004 the vehicle was towed to a service dealer who suggested that sludge was the problem.
Had sludge in the engine. Engine lost oil and smoke coming out the tail pipe. They rebuilt my engine for free. Saying that I did not change oil frequent enough. I have proof and did change every 4-5000 miles but not with the Toyota dealership. My concern is that what did they change to make sure this doesn\\'t happen again. They could not promise me it wouldn\\'t even if I changed the oil every 3000 miles
We have a Toyota Sienna van. In 8/02 we had 'oil gel sludging' and the engine was fixed under warranty. Now, we have exactly the same problem and Toyota refuses to pay for the repair. With the initial repair, they acknowledged it was a design flaw. Since the engine was poorly designed, and there is a recurring problem due to the design, why do they think a one-time repair will suffice?
The engine stopped operating due to engine sludge. The consumer indicated that the engine burned oil too fast which caused the sludge to build up. The dealer says the engine has to be replaced. Please provide any additional information.
The engine needs replacing, apparently sludge and the dealer/manufacturer is trying to blame me for sloppy maintenance. I was at the dealer in 5/01 for a major maintenance which include engine flush, etc. $550. And since I have been back in 8/01 and 1/02 for different issues and was never asked to perform additional maintenance or warned that I should be careful, etc. I'm aware that I have performed oil & filter changes subsequent to the 5/01 major maintenance but I'm having trouble finding the evidence, in part because I moved aroudn 9 mo. Ago and still haven't quite settled in completely. …
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Engine complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Toyota Sienna, 12% of the model year's 294 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Sienna engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 Toyota Sienna, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Sienna engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.