Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Toyota Sienna, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 33 | 15% |
| Structure | 29 | 13% |
| Tires | 27 | 12% |
| Steering | 16 | 7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 15 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 6% |
| Suspension | 10 | 5% |
| Power train | 9 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE VAN HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AT TIMES IT IS HARD TO SLOW IT DOWN EVEN STOP IT. THE PROBLEM MAINLY OCCURS FROM STOP AND GO ESPECIALLY IF IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR FEW HOURS.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THE CABLE TO MY DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR SNAPPED, THUS THE DOOR CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY. THIS DEFECT IS UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR MODEL YEARS 2004-2007, BUT I HAVE A 2009 MODEL YEAR.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE DRIVING, MY SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CABLES SNAPPED. THE CAR BEHIND ME RAN OVER IT AND I AM NOW BEING CHARGED FOR THE DAMAGES TO THAT PERSON'S CAR. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THE CAR WAS OFF, THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. SHE TOUCHED THE SHIFTER AND IT WENT BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE; THE CAR STARTED ROLLING DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY. SHE DID NOT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEARING SHIFTER ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR, WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE GEAR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1999 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT OF FAULTY TIRE CARRIER REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN EARLY 2006, HE NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WAS INOPERABLE, AND APPARENTLY, IT HAD RUSTED IN PLACE. HE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
ON 11/25/2012 AT ABOUT 10:00 PM, AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 100 MILES, THE FRONT WHEEL ON DRIVER SIDE BEGAN TO MAKE A SMALL NOISE AND SMALL VIBRATION AND LATER THE TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED BY AT A RE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Toyota Sienna. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMP
Risk: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REME
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 WIRI
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 COU
Fix: 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 -
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS USED ON 1998-1998 TOYOTA RAV4, AVALON, AND SIENNA MODEL VEHICLES 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 I
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 COU
Fix: 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 -
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 92 | excellent |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 33 of them (15%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.