1998 Toyota Sienna XLE review from North America

The driver's side front quadrant leaks.

The driver's side door catch (that prevents the door from opening too far) broke on a recent windy day.

One of our sliding doors failed when a soft drink leaked into the 'bottle holder' which is unsealed.

The weld holding the driver's door to the frame was poorly executed and will have to be redone at our expense!

We have the engine sludge issue and have documented oil changes.

The transmission fluid burns despite regular service.

We have retraction issues with seat belts, primarily on the front seat belts.

We have never received any written communication from Toyota regarding any issues with our vehicles.

First of all, I love this van - it is roomy, easy to get in and out of, and it's gorgeous - a beautiful blue with silver bumper trim.

However - we have had many more problems that I ever would have expected from a Toyota product! Our Sienna was a program car and it is fairly well maxed out with most of the bells and whistles.

The driver's side front quadrant has had "issues" all along. The door just didn't seem to fit properly and there seemed to be minor leakage when it rained. THEN during a recent Texas pre-storm, the wind caught the door and pushed it too far. THE CATCH DIDN'T JUST FAIL, IT BROKE! The darn catches are made of PLASTIC! Hello? Plastic? On a door of this size and weight?

Since we bought the extended warranty we didn't panic. But should have. Nope, it's not covered. The part only costs about $80 but the repair costs will come out about $750. Aye carumba.

(Insert expletives here.)

Other issues have been with the "bottle holders" in the sliding doors - hello. If a drink sloshes into these unsealed holders, they can render your sliding doors useless. They will foul the doors where they cannot be opened.

Our right front quadrant issue? It turns out the weld holding the door to the frame was poorly executed and will have to be redone. No. It will not be covered under any form of warranty.

Engine sludge? We have it. Oil changes? Have done them. Transmission fluid? Burns up. Transmission service? Have done it.

Seat belts? We have retraction issues with seat belts, primarily on the front seat belts. You have to tug and play with them to get them to retract when you exit the vehicle. Come on! Seat belts? These are not new devices!

Can you say 'cranky'? I KNEW that you could. Can you say 'won't buy another'?I can!

We have never received any written communication from Toyota regarding any issues with our vehicles. We also own a 1990 Camry - a great workhorse of a car. My husband is a Toyota fanatic. Well, maybe I should say WAS.

Check those door catches. And be seriously careful with them. Anybody have any ideas about a better vehicle?