1997 Toyota AVALON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
94 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 94 complaints (24.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 30 | 31.9% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 23 |
| Suspension:Front | 9 |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 23; Suspension:Front: 9; Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Steering:Rack And Pinion:Rack: 6; Suspension: 6; Tires: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 69 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 | 18 |
| 2001 | 29 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 18; 2001: 29; 2002: 10; 2003: 7; 2004: 6; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005436 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 1997 TOYOTA AVALON FOR MY WIFE. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST RECENTLY TURNED OVER 29,000 MILES, AND OBVIOUSLY HAS PASSED THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IT HAS YET TO REACH THE NORMAL 36,000 MILE WARRANTY MARK. ON JANUARY 18, 2003 I NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS, AND FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS ALMOST EMPTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACE…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,309 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005550 · 2003-02-09 (February 9, 2003)
FAILURE OF POWERTRAIN AT 48,000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010034 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE VEHICLE'S ALUMINUM RIMS CAUSED THE TIRE TO LEAK AIR AND EXPLODE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019161 · 2003-05-23 (May 23, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 1997 TOYOTA AVALON XLS WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT FROM LEITH TOYOTA IN RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA IN MARCH OF 2002. I NOW HAVE 74,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND COMPLETE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1200.00. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. I HAVE REVIEWED THE NTSB WEBSITE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? I TRIED TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO COVER SOME OF THE COSTS AND ALL THEY OFFERED WAS A FREE RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036756 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
I AM ON MY 3RD BATTERY IN SIX AND ONE HALF YEARS. I HAVE A 1997 AVALON, TOYOTA. NO INDICATION THAT BATTERY IS GOING, THE CAR JUST GOES DEAD. THE LAST TWO TIMES WERE AT NIGHT AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. APRIL 23, 2001 BATTERY WITH A 70 MONTH WARRANTY LASTED TILL AUG.26,2003.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036886 · 2003-08-30 (August 30, 2003)
FAILURE OF A TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE TREAD PORTION OF THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE CASING OF THE TIRE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045240 · 2003-11-01 (November 1, 2003)
1997 TOYOTA AVALON HAS AN IGNITION SYSTEM FLAW THAT CAUSE THE CAR TO ROLL AFTER BEEN STOPPED AND KEY REMOVED. SUBSEQUENTLY IT MAY NOT START AGAIN THE NEXT TIME WHEN KEY INSERTED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062078 · 2004-03-13 (March 13, 2004)
I NOTICED A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING AND TOOK THE CAR TO A TIRE DEALER. DEALER BALANCED TIRES AND SAID ALL WOULD BE OK. IN LESS THAN 10 MILES WOBBLE REAPPEARED AND TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP OF TIRE DEALER. WOBBLE WAS LESS NOTICIBLE AND NEXT DAY NOTICED POWER STEERING OIL ON DRIVEWAY. I TOOK CAR INTO TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE RACK & PINIPN STEERING UNIT AT A COST OF 1200.00. I WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATED PRICE OF REPAIR DOWN TO 1044.15, APPARENTLY BECAUSE I WAS A GOOD CUSTOMER. I YELLED A LOT! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 83,732 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062078 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V156000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
Reported: 1997-09-17 (September 17, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN,MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NOTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. A CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHERE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE CAN TEMPORARILY FREEZE IN THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE IF THE VEHICLE IS USED IN EXTREMELY COLD CLIMATES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗