Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
My wife was driving a 98 Toyota Sienna with kids on the freeway in a comuter lane. All of a sudden the steering wheel started vibrating and locked in left position. As a result they ended up crashing in the middle divider head on. The van took a 180 degree spin and hit from the back. We have done 99000 miles on this van in last 5 years. This is totally a malfunction or mechanical failure of steering wheel. We have done long trips with our van in the past 5 years and never had problem. Also the air bags did not open up even though the impact was so severe.
The steering wheel was turned in the right position and the driver was in the process of straightening it when it locked up. This caused lost of control of the vehicle. The vehicle had gone into the highway divider and was totaled. The cause of the failure was undetermined.
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.
On oct 14th 2006 at about 4:45 pm I was driving in a parking lot at slow speed. I came to a stop and then tried to make a right turn. As I turned the wheel and applied the gas the steering column made a noise like breaking plastic and the car moved in a straight line despite the wheel beeing turned. I increased the turning motion until it was clear steering had failed. Since the lot was empty I brought the car to a stop without incident. I had the car towed to sandy springs Toyota and was told that the steering shaft had broken at the "knuckle" where the column connects to the shaft. In addition I was told that the spiral cable to the airbag had been damaged in the incident. My concerns are that had this occured at high speed or while already in a turn or in traffic the results would have been catastrophic. …
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.
The vehicle's right rear wheel along with the axle/spindle came off after the spindle/axle snapped while driving at high speed on I-10 westbound near pomona, ca on 9/22/2000 night. The vehicle went totally out of control and crashed into the concrete center divider and finally landed on top of the concrete divider with direction facing eastbound.
Beginning at 4,000 miles, this vehicle has had a recurring, intermittent problem with the power steering mechanism. When making a left hand turn, the steering locks and continues to turn the vehicle in a circle. It releases only when manually forced back to center. During the colder, winter months, this would happen 2 or 3 times a day in heavy city traffic. I have had the power steering checked by the dealer on different occasions. The dealer insists there is nothing wrong. The vehicle now has nearly 19.,000 miles on it and the problem is getting worse. On Friday, July 2, 1999, because of a lock up of the steering mechanism, I nearly caused an accident by being forced into the cross traffic which was stopped at an intersection, while making a left hand turn. It happened again on Sunday, July 4, 1999. …
Vehicle when turning left such as at an intersection will continue to turn unless the steering wheel is manually returned to the straight ahead position. In other words if you are not paying attention the vehicle will continue to turn and would turn in a circle. This occurs sporadically. When taken to the dealer their repsonse is that Toyota is aware of the problem and that it usually occurs when turning to the right. They are working in the problem. Our feeling is that this is a safety issue and it seems to be getting worse in catching in the left turn mode. Toyota says there is no safety issue. They have been working on this problem for several months or so they say.
When making left turns, steering wheel often "hangs" (doesn't smoothly return to center position), requiring constant vigilance to avoid collision or loss of control. This was reported to dealer at first service after purchase, and I have requested information as to a "fix" several occassions, most recently with derby at star Toyota on 4/7/04. Stated "never heard of the problem". I am aware that there is a TSB on this issue however, and would very much like this problem resolved after 5+ years. Additionally, the car goes through tires like crazy... Perhaps related to this pull to the left? I've put on a complete new set plus 2 tires in the 50K miles I've had the vehicle.
When accelerating from a stop and making a left turn, steering assembly will momentarily not return to center, but will stick at ~30degrees left of center. Effort is required to return steering to center, else it will remain in locked position. Only affects left turns and only when accelerating, otherwise undpredictable (not _every_ turn). Not related to engine or external temperature.
NHTSA investigations
Steering wheel to return to center
There is no summary currently available
Steering complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Toyota Sienna, 9% of the model year's 294 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Sienna steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to steering 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.