1997 TOYOTA AVALON

1 recalls, 155 complaints - 74 TSBs

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

Defect Description

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 ... Read more

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.

18,746 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

Complaint Statistics

155 total complaints 17 crashes 13 injuries 2 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
STEERING:RACK AND PINION	24
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT	11
SUSPENSION:FRONT	10
TIRES	9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	8
SUSPENSION	6
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK	6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	5
STEERING	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4

Incident date: Aug 4, 2016

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 N... Read more

Incident date: Aug 4, 2016

Incident date: Jun 22, 2015

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... Read more

Incident date: Jul 9, 2014

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 WIND... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 3, 2014

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

Incident date: Oct 8, 2013

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 L... Read more

Incident date: Oct 8, 2013

Incident date: Apr 2, 2014

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 SUDDE... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Apr 2, 2014

1 injured

Incident date: Oct 13, 2012

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

Incident date: Oct 13, 2012

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

Incident date: Feb 20, 2012

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 VEHI... Read more

Incident date: Oct 18, 2011

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 AN... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2011

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 NEUT... Read more

Incident date: Feb 25, 2009

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... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 12, 2007

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... Read more

Crash 1 deaths

Incident date: Feb 12, 2007

Crash 1 deaths

Incident date: Aug 5, 2009

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.

Incident date: Oct 20, 2005

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

Incident date: Oct 20, 2005

Incident date: Apr 1, 2003

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

Incident date: Oct 31, 2002

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,... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2005

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 PROBL... Read more

Incident date: Apr 2, 2005

Incident date: Sep 1, 2006

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

Incident date: Jul 6, 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 ON... Read more

Incident date: Nov 7, 2005

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 THA... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Oct 31, 2005

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 S... Read more

Incident date: Oct 31, 2005

Incident date: Sep 12, 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 KE... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 10, 2003

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

Incident date: Jan 1, 1901

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 ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 15, 2000

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

Incident date: Jun 9, 2004

SEEMS I'M ALSO THE VICTIM OF A COMMON 1997 AVALON PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING PUMP/RACK WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN REVIEWING ALL OF THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT SEEMS A RECALL SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED FOR THIS ALL TOO COMMON (AND EXPENSIVE) PROBLEM.*AK

Incident date: Apr 19, 2004

THE CAR HAS A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE HANDLING, RIDE AND SUSPENSION!THIS CAR HAS THE SUSPENSION THAT ROCKS LIKE A BOAT; AND EVEN THE SMALLEST BUMP RATTLES THE ENTIRE FRAME AND REMINDS ME OF A THUNDER-LIKE NOISE . *AK I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED SERVICING AT THE DEALER, AND HAVE A HISTORY OF COMP... Read more

Incident date: Feb 23, 2004

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, SHE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF EGR VALVE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENL... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Feb 23, 2004

Crash

Incident date: Mar 14, 2004

WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT ON REVERSE TO BACK OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED FAST FORWARD, RUNNING INTO A POLE.*AK

Crash

Incident date: Feb 23, 2004

Crash

Incident date: Aug 8, 2003

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 INT... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 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

Incident date: Aug 14, 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

Incident date: Aug 26, 2002

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.

Incident date: Mar 1, 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 UNDERSTA... Read more

Incident date: Jan 5, 2003

THE VEHICLE'S ALUMINUM RIMS CAUSED THE TIRE TO LEAK AIR AND EXPLODE. *JB

Incident date: Feb 1, 2003

FAILURE OF POWERTRAIN AT 48,000 MILES.

Incident date: Jan 18, 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... Read more

Incident date: Oct 2, 2002

CAR HYDROPLANED IN LIGHT RAIN. TIRES ARE NEARLY NEW AND PROPERLY INFLATED. DT

Showing 50 of 155 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1997 TOYOTA AVALON

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	28.0	22.0	Regular	$2,800

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Large Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1997 TOYOTA AVALON

74 manufacturer communications from 52 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	13
280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION	4
021000 SUSPENSION:FRONT	4
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	4
140000 AIR BAGS	4
030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	3
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
100000 POWER TRAIN	3

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the re

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

140000 AIR BAGS

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any custom

200000 WHEELS

190000 TIRES

140000 AIR BAGS

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION