MYRModel Year Report

1997 Toyota Avalon

● Typical for this model
1997 Toyota Avalon
RENDERED 2026-09-17T05:38:26.242Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Avalon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 359 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2022
1997: 125 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006359
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201541
201623
201714
201824
201970
202010
202121
20228

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 34%

34% of complaints: steering — 42 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, SHE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040315

UPPER STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE; CAUSED VEHICLE TO PULL SEVERELY TO RIGHT, HIT CURB, STRUCK LIGHT POLE, NOISY, SEEMED TO HAVE MIND OF ITS OWN; REPAIRED. DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980225

Also filed under AIR BAGS

SUSPENSION 22%

22% of complaints: suspension — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing macpherson strut and front.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE AT 7:45 A.M HEADING HIGHWAY 72 WEST. MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATED FROM 75MPH TO 100 MPH. I PUSHED, PRESSED, AND PUMPED MY BRAKES THAT WOULDN'T WORK. I PRESSED DOWN MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH DID NOT WORK EITHER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140409

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TIRES 7%

7% of complaints: tires — 9 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19971001 — service brakes, hydraulic

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN,MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Campaign 97V156000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020430 — DP (closed 20020620)

ENGINE SEIZURE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (42 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2008 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Toyota Avalon is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota Avalon?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Avalon have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.