MYRModel Year Report

1998 Toyota Avalon

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Toyota Avalon
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:07:37.727Z

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

Complaints per year, Toyota Avalon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1998: 178 complaints 1998 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: 242 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 44 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 40 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 66 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2022
1998: 178 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006359
2007242
2008349
200991
201044
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201540
201623
201714
201824
201966
202010
202121
20228

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

EQUIPMENT 8%

8% of complaints: equipment — 14 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
TIRES 6%

6% of complaints: tires — 10 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 8 distinct reports on file.

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for equipment issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V278000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E035000 (electrical system) 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 1998 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Toyota Avalon is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota Avalon?

The most-reported component is equipment:appliance:air conditioner, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota Avalon have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.