1999 Toyota AVALON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 77 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 20.8% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Suspension:Front | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Air Bags: 11; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 5; Electrical System: 4; Suspension: 4; Suspension:Front: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 6
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 43 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
2000: 10; 2001: 9; 2002: 10; 2003: 12; 2004: 6; 2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 9; 2011: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10062981 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147997 · 2006-01-18 (January 18, 2006)
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WITH THE CONTROL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION; HOWEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED RAPIDLY INCREASED TO OVER 70 MPH, ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONSUMER DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. UPDATED 02/13/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046520 · 2004-01-16 (January 16, 2004)
WITH AT LEAST 50% OF THE TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES (42,488 MILES) THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED BACK AND FORTH. UPON EXAMINATION, THE FRONT TIRES WERE SWOLLEN IN THE TREAD PORTION OF THE TIRE. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10586083 · 2014-05-02 (May 2, 2014)
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 HEAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 189,675 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323473 · 2010-04-02 (April 2, 2010)
ON AUGUST 9, 2009, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER AVALON WITH OUR 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN IT, TO GRAB A BITE TO EAT IN WALNUT CREEK, CA. WHEN MY WIFE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION. SINCE SHE COULD NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE, SHE DECIDED TO DRIVE BACK HOME THAT WAS ONLY MINUTES AWAY. BUT ON HER WAY HOME, THE CAR LOST POWER AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN, WHITE SMOKE WAS ERUPTED OUT OF THE ENGINE. LUCKILY, THEY WERE TRAVELING ON THE RESIDENTIAL STREET AND M…
Owner-reported narrative. 165,432 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10398216 · 2011-04-29 (April 29, 2011)
TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON INVOLUNTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98E035000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718517 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON 1 OR 2 TIMES A MONTH, WHILE DRIVING. IT STAYS ON FOR 15-30 SECONDS. MY NEXT PROBLEM IS THAT MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IN 11/99. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. THIS WAS REPAIRED BUT I DON'T FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE. ALSO AROUND 16,000 MILES THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS. THIS ALSO SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEN AT THIS EARLY AGE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 758983 · 2002-03-06 (March 6, 2002)
VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, FOLLOWED BY ENGINE CHECK" LIGHT COMING ON. DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A BAD FUEL INJECTOR AND SAID TOYOTA RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL SIX INJECTORS TO REPAIR. I ASKED IF THESE WERE DEFECTIVE INJECTORS AND WAS TOLD NO. CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD SAME THING. IF THERE IS NO DEFECT, WHY WOULD I REPLACE ALL SIX INJECTORS? THIS WOULD COST ME NEARLY 5 TIMES AS MUCH. EITHER THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ALL INJECTORS OR THIS IS A RUSE TO GET UNSUSPECTING …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 758983 at NHTSA ↗