MYRModel Year Report

1997 Toyota Avalon

● Typical for this model
1997 Toyota Avalon
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:48.515Z

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
125
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 80 complaints 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 125 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 360 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: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 125 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 125 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints

1997: 125 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201542
201623
201714
201824
201971
202010
202121
20228

Known problem areas

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

Steering

34% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2004-03-15

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-02-25

Also filed under Air bags

Suspension

22% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing macpherson strut and front.

CRASH

Service brakes

9% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2014-04-09

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Tires

7% · 9 reports

Power train

7% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

CRASH

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1997-10-01Service brakes, hydraulic97V156000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan,Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new design brake vacuum hose.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2002-04-30Defect petitionClosed 2002-06-20 Engine seizure

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V156000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.