Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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. …
Three year ago I bought 4 sportiva wheels for my 1998 Toyota Sienna. The model of this wheel was milano. On May 25, 2006 my wife was driving home with my 5 year old kid and on road 116 km 0.2 lajas, puerto rico one of the wheels broke in the center and my wife lost control of the minivan for a few seconds. Hopefully she and my son don't have any injuries but she was very scared. If she were driving at much higher speed at that time my wife and kid could have been killed. She was driving at 25 MPH because it was a turn. My car has damage to the front fender, brake disk, front axle, tire etc... The rest of the wheels are cracked in the same area. I'm writing this complaint because somebody that have this wheels can die and I will have to spend much money to fix my car.
On May 24, 2004, my wife was driving our Toyota Sienna van north on I-35 in oklahoma at highway speed when the front driver side tire blew out and the tread separated. The tire was replaced by the dealer and all other tires checked for wear. On July 17, 2004 I was driving the same van on I-44 in oklahoma at highway speed when the driver side rear tire's tread separated and went flat. There was no road hazard encountered at etiher event.
All 4 tires developed "knots". One tire wore oddly to the belts. Car was balanced and aligned. Tires have been rotated regularly pressure has been maintained at all times even though there was plenty of tread left. They became unusable. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734317
Had a right rear tire (Firestone f 680) delaminate while traveling on interstate while driving a 1998 Toyota Sienna le. Tire was original equipment, had 35,000 miles, and was properly inflated (checked night before incident). Result of tread delamination was loss of rear wheel well cover and damage to rear bumper.
Tire seemed out of balance at narrow range of speeds (60-65mph), but smooth at 68mph for months; recently noticed vehicle rocking when cold and at low speeds; today saw an outward bulge in rear tire tread (directionally outward from axle). Am seeking a replacement tire before tread separation.
While driving front drivers side left tire blewout. The dealer was notified. There was severe vibration and consumer found that the left front tire tread had separated. After traveling another 65 miles there was severe vibration and the left rear tire had tread separation.
When I took my vehicle in for a yearly wv state inspection, I was told it failed due to the tires being "shot". I was shown where the tread on both front tires was separating from the tire. My vehicle was bought new and had only 24,000 miles on it at that time. An alignment check was done and the vehicle was found to be in perfect alignment. They could not explain why this type of wear and tread separation would occur with only 24,000 miles on these tires. The next day was when the announcement was made concerning Ford vehicles and the Firestone tires . I have contacted Toyota motor corporation and was dismissed with the comment to voice my concerns to the Firestone company. …
It appears that Toyota has created artificial obstacles to prevent my obtainment of an eligible reimbursement for recall (safety recall a9e - tire carrier cable) repairs. In response to the recall notice I had the cable inspected then contacted Toyota in accordance with the recall letter but I was denied reimbursement. On October 2, 2013 I wrote to Toyota following the inspection and attached the original work order from a Toyota dealer for the replacement of part number "51900-08010" as required. I received an October 17th response saying I needed to provide answers to three questions:reason the vehicle brought into the repair facility; the repair facility diagnoses, and the repair performed in order to correct the concern. …
On 9 August, 2000 experience a severe steering wheel fluctuation when departing a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH. Stopped and checked tires, appeared okay. Proceeded to drive home, at night, changed to lessening vibration with increase of speed. Took car to dealer to have checked out. They reported that steering and chassis systems were good, that the problem was bad tires. They did not elaborate on what was bad with the tires.......took vehicle to tire dealer, not Firestone, and had them inspect and subsequently replace all 4 tires. They stated that the tread was separating on the inside area of the left front tire. Retained old tires at my home for review if necessary. …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1998 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1998 Toyota Sienna, 14% of the model year's 294 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Toyota Sienna wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.