Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
We have a 1998 Toyota Sienna le with about 88,000 miles on it. We do not drive the car too much and most of the time it sits in our garage. On the way up to nh from nj at June 17 2006, the transmission started to have problems, which the transmission was sometimes unable to engage. We finally made it home and sent the car to the Toyota dealer. The dealer told us "this is a known issue." that are known for transmission failures. We understand that the extended warranty covered up to 100,000 miles and 8 years. But our car just passed it by 5-6 weeks and is well under 100,000 miles. Dealer told us to contact Toyota as it just past the deadline and has low mileage. Toyota has given us a very hard time. They insisted that it is our problem now because we didn't discover it before the 8 years deadline. …
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.
Dt: the contact received a warranty extension for transmission problems. The vehicle was making noise. The transmission had no other noticeable problems at this point. The mechanic, who looked at the vehicle, stated the transmission will have to be replaced soon. The mechanic said it was making noise due to defective differential and the transmission was slipping. The service manager stated that Toyota would provide the part, and the contact would have to pay for the labor. Update 1/4/2006 -
At interstate speed I had a few second drag and then complete transmission disengagement. Managed to get it off the interstate by letting it set a few minutes and being able to drive a 1/4 mile or so at a time. I have always taken very good care of the van including fluid changes. It only has 77,000 miles but Toyota refuses to do anything about it even though they are aware of the defect( because there warranty extension is only for 8 years 100,000 and I am over the 8 years.
Since I bought my 1998 used Toyota Sienna with 190xxx miles, when press a litte bit the gas pedal on a uphill it start to accelerate like crazy, I can barely stop it, I must to put the transmission in neutral to stop the van, today I was on a very pronuntiated uphill and almost crash because it accelerates itself when press a little the gas pedal. I''m scared to use the van again but I don't have other choise and at the same time I'm scared to sell the van to someone else.
While cleaning the vehicle consumer's son inadvertently moved the gear shift lever. Vehicle began to roll backwards until the gear shifted was placed back in park. The gear shift lever can be moved, even when the key is not in the ignition.
The vehicle lost control and crashed into the concrete medium divider and landed on top of it after the right rear-axle snapped and the wheel came off while driving at 60mph on I-10 in pomona , ca on 9/22/2000.
The car is shifted from park to drive and it accelerates suddenly without me pressing the accelerator. Pressing the brakes do not stop the car, the only way to stop it is by shifting into park or neutral.
My 98 Toyota Sienna failed to respond to the acelerator while I was making a left turn twice on 6/22/05. On the second time, the engine failed. I was able to restart the engine, and go back home three blocks away where this happened. I parked my car inside my garage, went inside my house and luckily I had to go back to the garage immediately, because my car was on fire. I am still waiting for my nsurance company to do their investigation and I opened a claim with Toyota, since I did all the necessary maintenance and the car was fine until that day. How can I be sure I am going to find out the truth why the car got on fire and if there is any problem related to the year and model of my car that May expalin what happened? …
The vehicle was idling in our driveway, when we came out of the house, it had popped into reverse and backed into our garage. It is possible for the shift lever to stop in-between park and reverse and then pop into reverse in a few minutes by itself. Is this a typical problem and not considered a defect?
Transmission complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Toyota Sienna, 8% of the model year's 294 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Sienna transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.