1999 Toyota Avalon
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 242 |
| 2008 | 349 |
| 2009 | 91 |
| 2010 | 44 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 137 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 66 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 15 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ABOUT THE 17TH OF DECEMBER 2013, I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE CAR TO A STOP. INSTEAD THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD SUDDENLY OUT OF CONTROL AND MOUNTED THE SIDEWALK.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140320
13% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WAS DRIVING SOUND ON GREGORY RD AND ANOTHER CAR WAS TRAVELING NORTH SHE CAME INTO MY LANE AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND HIT ME HEAD ON MY AIRBAG NEW DEPLOYED AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD I HAVE A BRUISE ACROSS MY CHEST FROM STEERING WHEEL AND BUMPS ON MY...
NHTSA ODI report, 20140502
THE AVALON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS ONLY A FEW INCHES AWAY FROM ONE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
NHTSA ODI report, 20041012
WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN TRAVELING ~ 20 MPH, A '89 HEAVY AUTO TRAVELING @ 48 MPH IMPACTED PASSENGER SIDE OF CONSUMERS VEHICLE, SLAMMING CONSUMERS VEHICLE INTO A '94 HEAVY AUTO STOPPED AT LIGHT, TOTALING ALL THREE AUTOS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030514
5% of complaints: suspension — 5 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLSION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990715
WHEN VEHICE WAS INVOLVED IN A RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT FRONT CRASH THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE.
NHTSA ODI report, 19990407
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
ENGINE SEIZURE
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
1999 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V278000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98E035000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Toyota Avalon is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Toyota Avalon?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 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.