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1998 Toyota Sienna electrical problems

14 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 140,000.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
140,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Horn
    4
  • Wiring: front underhood
    1
  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota Sienna electrical problems in other years

199820002005201020152020

Related recalls

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control moduleReported October 19, 1998 · 1,960 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 98V278000 · Recall details

What 1998 Toyota Sienna owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 23, 2016 · Electrical · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota sienna. The contact stated that the warning indicators on the instrument panel did not function when the vehicle reached high temperatures. The contact stated that only the check engine warning indicator functioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 98v278000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not completed. The failure mileage was not provided.

Filed Jul 3, 2015 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · CA

Horn worked intermittently and now not at all.

Filed Jun 6, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Feb 12, 2011 · Acceleration, Airbags · 220,000 miles · 00

I have a 1998 toyota sienna recently the airbag light is on and the horn and cruise control are not working I wonder if this can be a safety recall for the life of the vehicle or do I just have to pay for the repair.

Filed Jun 16, 2010 · Electrical · 131,000 miles · WI

Wiring problem--electric going on unusual paths--pushing the brake turns on the lights in the dash--I wonder if pushing the brake could cause acceleration problems?

Filed May 24, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 100,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota sienna. While attempting to start the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated and the engine continued running. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The current and failure mileages were approximately 100,000. The consumer stated when the vehicle was first started after sitting overnight, the engine would rev high even though the gear was in park. The consumer stated he then removed the key from the ignition. However, the vehicle would continue running. Updated 06/22/10.

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Electrical · IL

Problem with the horn on my 1998 toyota sienna. The horn stopped working about 3 years ago. I have had the vehicle to a dealer at least 5 times, and to a local repair shop at least 3 times. Spent over $1400 and the problem is not fixed. They have changed the relay, changed contacts, sanded contacts, and still, the horn does not work. For the most part the horn works when the car is stopped and cool. After driving on the highway for about 1/2 hour to 1 hour, the horn stops working completely. I have been able to get it to work on the highway by "jiggling" the steering wheel and pushing the horn at the same time while the vehicle is moving. In a nutshell, it is very erratic and virtually always stops working when we are on a road trip. This is a serious safety hazard because the horn typically does not work at 55 MPH on the highway when someone on the highway cuts me off and it's necessary to use the horn. The vehicle has never been in an accident and otherwise runs fine despite having 150,000 miles on it. I've been very dissatisfied with the dealers and their obvious lack of expertise or persistence in troubleshooting this unusual issue.

Filed Aug 6, 2003 · Electrical · NY

Since june 2003 the consumer noticed the horn would not operate all the time. Vehicle was taken to the dealer on 8/5/2003. Dealer could not determine the problem.

Filed Jul 15, 2003 · Electrical · LA

Consumer is having problems with automoble, in that when she turns it off, it starts, and when she puts it in park, it starts up. She took it to a mechanic, who disconnected the alarm system, and the automobile stopped doing the above. She stated that the mechanic found on the internet that there was an investigation on the electrical system on these cars, and that was the exact problem she was having with vehicle.

Filed Dec 4, 2001 · Electrical · TX

Summary of vehicle (toyota sienna), garage, and house fire on august 13, 2001.

Questions about the 1998 Toyota Sienna electrical

Does the 1998 Toyota Sienna have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the electrical of the 1998 Toyota Sienna, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Sienna electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 140,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Toyota Sienna electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 98V278000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Toyota Sienna have the most electrical problems?

The Toyota Sienna model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (132 complaints), 2006 (85 complaints) and 2011 (69 complaints).

Other 1998 Toyota Sienna problems

Brakes 44Locks 40Tires 40Body 35Engine 34Steering 25Transmission 23Visibility 17Airbags 12Seat belts 12Suspension 11Acceleration 8Wheels 4Fuel system 2Seats 2Driver assistance 1Lights 1

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