1997 Toyota Avalon Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE MADE LOUD NOISES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATERAL ARM SNAPPED OFF THE SUBFRAME DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 11/03/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10894082

Incident

Aug 4, 2016

Mileage

139,000 mi

WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE TIRE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED MY TIRES COMPLAINING OF A SHAKING STEERING WHEEL (THINKING ONE OF MY TIRES HAD LOST A BALANCE WEIGHT), THAT'S WHEN I DISCOVERED 3 OF THE 4 TIRES I HAD PURCHASED A YEAR AGO SEPTEMBER (AND WHICH HAD ONLY 14,000 MILES OF WEAR) HAD ALL EXPERIENCED THE STEEL BELT SEPARATING INSIDE THE TIRE. UPDATED 09/02/15*LJ UPDATED 10/31/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10730642

Incident

Jun 22, 2015

MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, GOING APPROX. 10 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE (ONLY) BUMPED INTO A RAILROAD TRACK AND THE SENSORS TOLD THE CAR IT HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS EXPLOSION BUSTED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, PASSENGER SIDE GLASS, KNOCKED THE FRONT GRILL OFF, ETC.. AS THE DRIVER MY FACE WAS CUT AND MY LEFT EYE LENS WAS BLOWN OUT FROM THE EXPLOSION AND FLYING SHRAPNEL AND SO I NOW HAVE A TRANSPLANTED LEFT EYE LENS WITH A SERIAL NUMBER AND POOR EYESIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10676454

Incident

Jul 9, 2014

Mileage

220,000 mi

THE TUBING FROM THE FILLER NECK TO THE FUEL TANK IS SUBJECT TO RUST. THE RUST RESULTS IN HOLES IN THE TUBE. FUEL SPILLS OUT DURING REFUELING AND ACCELERATION. *JS

NHTSA ID

10669434

Incident

Dec 3, 2014

Mileage

170,000 mi

AUTO LOCKING SYSTEM LOCKS DOORS WHILE DOORS ARE OPEN OR CLOSED AND YOU ARE GETTING OUT OF CAR OR PUTTING GROCERS IN IF UR KEYS ARE IN CAR IT STILL LOCKS I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT MANY TIMES IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN UR DAUGHTER BORROWS YOUR CAR AND GETS HER9 MONTH OLD BABY LOCKED IN AT 95 DEGREES AT 11AM IN FLORIDA IN THE SUN IN A PARKING LOT.THE LOCKSMITH COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR CAUSE EVERY TIME HE POP THE LOCK THE SYSTEM WOULD RELOCK IT SELF IMMEDIATELY .THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM .SOME TIMES IT LOCKS ITSELF IN SECONDS OR MINS.IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652661

Incident

Oct 8, 2013

Mileage

142,206 mi

I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE AT 7:45 A.M HEADING HIGHWAY 72 WEST. MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATED FROM 75MPH TO 100 MPH. I PUSHED, PRESSED, AND PUMPED MY BRAKES THAT WOULDN'T WORK. I PRESSED DOWN MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH DID NOT WORK EITHER. I TRAVELED ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE CAR JUST SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP SMOKING FROM MY TIRES AND UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR SCREAMING THANKING GOD FOR MY LIFE HE SPARED. I WAS TRAUMATIZED AT THIS POINT. I DID COME TO MYSELF AND DIALED 911 FOR THE FIRE TRUCKS BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SMOKING SO BAD.NEXT DAY TOYOTA COMPANY SAID IT WAS MY COIL PACK AND CHARGED ME TO FIX IT BUT I AM NOW TERRIFIED OF THIS CAR AND REFUSE TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I HAVE SINCE HAD SEVERE NIGHTMARES EVERY NIGHT SINCE THIS ACCIDENT THAT COULD'VE BEEN DEADLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10578759

Incident

Apr 2, 2014

Mileage

295,000 mi

NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR, UPON INSPECTION, REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER WAS RUSTED OUT. NO OTHER SIGNIFICANT RUST UNDER CAR. CROSSMEMBER FAILED PREMATURELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482650

Incident

Oct 13, 2012

Mileage

240,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS THEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10453006

Incident

Feb 20, 2012

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,970 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID

10434983

Incident

Oct 18, 2011

Mileage

95,970 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA AVALON XLS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP OR DECELERATE DESPITE THE CONTACTS BRAKING ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CABLE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE STUCK OR DEFECTIVE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE ENGINE RPMS RAPIDLY INCREASED TO 7500. AFTER WAITING FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD BE TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 297,000.

NHTSA ID

10386401

Incident

Mar 3, 2011

Mileage

297,000 mi

DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A LEGAL PARKING SPACE IN THE LAST ROW OF PARKING LOT ON 9 MULE RD TOMS RIVER NJ- NOSE IN. WEATHER GOOD. CAR ACCELERATED OVER THE CURB COMING TO REST IN DRAINAGE DITCH THAT BACKS TO THE LOT. AIR BAG INFLATED AND DRIVER WAS PINNED AND NECK BROKEN. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND DRIVER TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. NO PAST EXPERIENCE WITH UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION - ONLY TIME IT EVER HAPPENED. NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND DRIVER WAS ALONE IN VEHICLE. POLICE REPORT FILED. INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK POSSESSION OF CAR. *CN

NHTSA ID

10322708

Incident

Feb 25, 2009

Mileage

49,655 mi

MY FATHER LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE, A 1997 TOYOTA AVALON AND CRASHED INTO TWO UTILITY POLES ON MISSION VILLAGE DRIVE, SAN DIEGO, CA. HE SUBSEQUENTLY DIED OF COMPLICATIONS FROM HIS INJURIES TO HIS HEAD AND LOWER EXTREMITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 09/02/10*JB UPDATE 9/19/2011*CW

NHTSA ID

10304640

Incident

Feb 12, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. SUDDENLY, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10279577

Incident

Aug 5, 2009

CONTINUOUS LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID. STEERING FELT TIGHT. RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 99,000 MILES. NOTICED A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10217515

Incident

Oct 20, 2005

Mileage

99,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE PROBLEM OF SUSPENSION NOISE AND WHEN HITTING BUMPS CAUSING A LOUD THUMP IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR RIDING ON TRACKS EACH TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10204557

Incident

Apr 1, 2003

DEALER SERVICED TRANSMISSION WITH A FLUSH AND FLUID REPLACEMENT AT 120,406 MILES. ALSO, TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AND COOLANT FLUSH DONE. EIGHT WEEKS LATER, TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. WAS ON 250 MILE TRIP, FELT BUMPING WHICH THOUGHT MAY BE ROUGH ROAD CONDITION, THEN WHEN CLOSE TO DESTINATION, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT. DIAGNOSIS WAS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALER WOULD NOT CONCEDE ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTING TO FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION ALTHOUGH DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY OTHER TOYOTA AVALON TRANSMISSION FAILURES. CONVINCED ACTION BY DEALER SERVICE RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10182427

Incident

Oct 31, 2002

Mileage

120,406 mi

1997 TOYOTA AVALON THE POWER STEERING RACK LEAKS AT 51000 MILES AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO TOYOTA. ALSO NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT 99000 MILES THE FRONT STRUT MOUNTING ALSO FAILED NEAR 50000 MILES AND IS FAILING AGAIN AT 99500 MILES. THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAKES EXCESSIVE NOISE AND LEAKS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 51000 MILES AS WELL. WEAKNESS IN THE STEERING MAKES THIS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS BUT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. A SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED TO ALL TOYOTA DEALERS TO CHECK FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND RECOMMEND REPAIRS. THE COST AVERAGES $1000. WHILE ASKING TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR HELP I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE CEO IN JAPAN IF NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10178370

Incident

Apr 2, 2005

Mileage

51,000 mi

I HAVE HAD MY RACK AND PINION REPLACED ON MY CAR TWICE AND I AM HAVING IT REPAIRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE STEERING WHEEL LOOSES POWER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10169028

Incident

Sep 1, 2006

CAR WAS BOUGHT USED IN 2006 WITH 115,000 MILES. THE KEY CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS IN ANY GEAR( RATHER THAN ONLY WHEN IT IS IN PARK) . THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR COULD BEGIN ROLLING ONCE YOU LEAVE THE CAR. THIS HAS ALREADY HAPPENED ONCE WITHOUT ANY CONSEQUENCES, BUT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN THE FUTURE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10162802

Incident

Jul 6, 2006

MY SPOUSE HAD DRIVEN OUR 1997 TOYOTA AVALON TO OUR DENTISTS OFFICE FOR A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. SHE PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMOVED THE KEY. WHILE SHE WAS GATHERING HER PERSONAL ITEMS TO TAKE INTO THE DENTISTS OFFICE WITH HER SHE FAILED TO NOTICE THAT THE GEARSHIFT SELECTOR WAS STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION. (ACCORDING TO A TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER AND MANUFACTURER REP. THE KEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE UNTIL THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE KEY TURNED TO THE OFF AND LOCKED POSITION.) WHILE MY SPOUSE WAS IN THE DENIISTS OFFICE, AT SOME POINT IN TIME OUR AVALON TO BEGIN TO ROLL ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DOORS OF A BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO STORE. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE HAVE CHECKED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND GEAR SELECTOR IN ALL POSITIONS ON THE SELECTOR CONSOLE AND THE KEY WILL SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH THE AVALON BEFORE OR WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES WE HAVE OWNED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10142303

Incident

Nov 7, 2005

Mileage

99,521 mi

BOUGHT USED 97 TOYOTA AVALON AT 96,000 MILES COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. FROM DAY ONE, NOTICED CRANKLING AND RATTLING NOISE AT THE FRONT AND BACK. AS THE TIME WENT BY, IT GOT WORSE. FINALLY JUST HAD MY REAR STRUTS REPLACED BUT THE FRONT IS STILL BAD. EVERYTIME GOING SLOW 20/35 MPH I COULD HEAR THINGS ARE SHAKING, RATTLING. NOW THE DELAER JUST TOLD ME THAT RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING TOO. DID A SEARCH ON MY OWN ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THESE HAPPEN TO BE KNOWN ISSUES WITH AVALON. HAVE HAD EVRYTHING DONE BY A LOCAL DEALER HERE IN HOUSTON BUT MUCH TO MY CHAGRIN DEALERSHIP GUYS NEVER MENTIONED OR ACKNWLEDGED THESE KNOWN ISSUES. DO WANNA GET RID OF IT BUT IT WOULD BE UNFAIR WITH THE PURCHASER. SO NOW KEEPING IT AND GOING TO REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS WITH MOUNTS AS WELL, HOPING THAT CRANKLING AND RATTLING WOULD GO AWAY COMPLETELY. SPENDING MORE BUCK . FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE WHO BOUGHT AVALONS AT VERY LOW MILEAGE. LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST ONE CAN EASILY FIND THESE COMPLAINTS FROM DIFFERENT WEBSITES FROM LOT OF PEOPLE , I THINK ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEBODY STEPS UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANKS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10141303

Incident

Oct 31, 2005

DT: THE OTHER DAY THE CONSUMER PARKED CAR WHILE RUSHING AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND HIT THE NEIGHBOR'S FENCE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE KEY. IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE HAD SOME TYPE OF SAFETY FEATURE TO KEEP THE KEY FROM COMING OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID

10136606

Incident

Sep 12, 2005

Mileage

125,000 mi

LEAK IN POWER STEERING MECHANISM CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL,I.E. STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT.

NHTSA ID

10133491

Incident

May 10, 2003

Mileage

70,000 mi

COMPLAINT AGAINST TOYOTA OF GREENVILLE/TOYOTA CORP. *BF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL HAD BEE INITIATED. A SPECIAL PROGRAM WAS INITIATED FOR THE ENGINE PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10114983

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

1997 TOYOTA AVALON WITH 50,000 MILES DEVELOPED LEAK IN RACK AND PINION STEERING. DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH COST OF REPAIRS DUE TO EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY. DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED BY A REPUTABLE MECHANIC.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088395

Incident

Mar 15, 2000