1998 Toyota Avalon

◆ Worse than typical

1998 Toyota Avalon
RENDERED 2026-09-17T05:39:03.572Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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

1998: 178 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	80
1996	109
1997	125
1998	178
1999	92
2000	173
2001	134
2002	116
2003	293
2004	205
2005	228
2006	359
2007	243
2008	349
2009	91
2010	46
2011	106
2012	30
2013	137
2014	96
2015	41
2016	23
2017	14
2018	24
2019	70
2020	10
2021	21
2022	8

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and electrical heating element.

SUSPENSION 11%

11% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and macpherson strut.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes

NHTSA ODI report, 20230626

Also filed under STEERING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

WHEEL LOCKED THEN THE CAR WILL NOT START, ALARM SYSTEM LIGHT WON'T BLINK AND I'M HEARING A WINEING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160810

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START UP, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION NOR WOULD THE VEHICLE START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140509

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE LIGHTING WENT BLANK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131203

EQUIPMENT 10%

10% of complaints: equipment — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air conditioner and radio/tape deck/cd etc..

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER PROPERLY. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20040226

Also filed under SEAT BELTS

CONSUMER WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THEN WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. POLICE WAS CALLED. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980908

SIDE AIR BAG.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980831

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 178

R 19981103 — electrical system

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 ALABAM

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 DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 -

Campaign 98E035000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020430 — DP (closed 20020620)

ENGINE SEIZURE

R Date not on file — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 98V278000 — check if this car was fixed