ToyotaSienna1998Overview/toyota/sienna/1998/base/

1998 Toyota Sienna

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Sienna.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Toyota Sienna is a minivan (VAN) that relies on a 5‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑30 API‑spec lubrication and is paired with an automatic four‑speed transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Owner feedback for this model year tallies 315 total complaints, with the service brakes and hydraulic system being the most frequently cited issue, and it carries four recalls. Compared with the broader 1996‑2020 complaint trend—where the peak arrived in 2004 with 2,062 reports and the trough in 1997 with just two—the 1998 Sienna sits toward the lower end of the spectrum, suggesting relatively strong reliability for its generation.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter1780103010
Fuel filter2330074280 alt 2330029065
Front wiper blades8521202121 alt 8522202130
Serpentine belt9008091212 alt 993662095083
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight3560 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 61.8 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sienna of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.3–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.30 sec — 1998 LE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998LE 3.0L V69.30 sec16.90 sec194 hpFWD
1998XLE 3.0L V69.40 sec17.00 sec194 hpFWD
2001LE 3.0L V69.90 sec17.40 sec210 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, FINAL DRIVE: DEXRON in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilFINAL DRIVE: DEXRON
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts239 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing7-19 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacitySingle A/C, 1.76; 4 door models w/dual A/C, 2.76; 5 door models w/dual A/C, 2.98. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.61 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression145-218 psi
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-78 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.014 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miDriveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 model recorded 315 complaints, four recalls, two investigations and 104 TSBs, which dwarfs the three and two complaints logged in 1996‑1997. Compared with the subsequent 1999‑2000 years, the 1998 complaint count remains elevated (218 in 1999, 381 in 2000) but is lower than the 2004 peak of 2062, indicating an early surge within a generation that later fluctuated. The dominant complaint categories — Service Brakes, Hydraulic (40), Tires (39), Latches/Locks/Linkages (37) — accounted for a substantial share of the 315 reports. Crash‑related complaints numbered 19 and fire‑related complaints 3, showing a modest but present safety concern for that model year. Consequently, while a 1998 Sienna can be found, the higher complaint and recall activity makes it a less advisable purchase without extensive verification.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
104
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
315
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 315 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic40
Tires39
Latches/Locks/Linkages37
Engine & Engine Cooling30
Structure29
Power Train21
Steering20
Visibility16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V160000StructureReported 20/04/2010

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… Remedy: 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…

98V278000Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control ModuleReported 19/10/1998

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 104 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0043-142024-01-22EquipmentOBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
TTT0636202022-03-17Back Over PreventionTT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
Toyota Safety Re2021-03-17Air BagsToyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sienna. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Sienna take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Sienna have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sienna get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.