VehicleVerdict

1998 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 205 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Avalon year — the 1998 model ranks #8 of 28 Avalon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 29 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (20), suspension (19), and visibility & wipers (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

205

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

29

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

29

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted449 complaints1995: 92 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 155 complaints1998: 205 complaints1999: 113 complaints2000: 220 complaints2001: 168 complaints2002: 148 complaints2003: 353 complaints2004: 252 complaints2005: 303 complaints2006: 449 complaints2007: 311 complaints2008: 417 complaints2009: 110 complaints2010: 51 complaints2011: 130 complaints2012: 35 complaints2013: 187 complaints2014: 123 complaints2015: 63 complaints2016: 33 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 31 complaints2019: 92 complaints2020: 13 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 13 complaints
Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2010%
Visibility & Wipers199%
Suspension199%
Airbags178%
Speed Control168%
Brakes157%
Tires & Wheels157%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)147%
Transmission115%
Engine105%
Steering94%
Other94%
Body & Structure73%
Seat Belts63%
Fuel System63%
Seats52%
Lighting42%
Latches & Locks21%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1998 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98E035000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 1998 · 1,960 units

Defect

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 ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN "OPEN CIRCUIT" CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.

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 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.

98V278000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 1998 · 1,960 units

Defect

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. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.

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 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 19, 2005. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT ASIDE OF A SHOE SHOP AND APPLIED MY BRAKE TO STOP. THE 1998 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH I WAS DRIVING REFUSED TO STOP AND CONTINUED ON INTO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING AT MAYBE 30 MPH. I WAS SURE THAT I HAD APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE BUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 19, 2005 · crash

“THIS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS A SERIOUS HARZARD. WHEN THE ELECTRONIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILS, THE DEFROSTER ALSO FAILS. THE LOSS OF DEFROSTER HAS PUT ME IN JEOPARDY MANY TIMES DURING POOR WEATHER. BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE WILL OCCUR, AND ONLY OWN ONE CAR, I CAN'T CHOOSE NOT TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 15, 1999

“THERE WAS A LOUDER THEN USUAL THUMP IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. TO VEHICLE TO DEALER REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC NOTED THAT FRONT STRUT WAS BREAKING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT, BUT WA SNOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 1, 2000

“WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH CONSUMERS VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANTOHER VEHICLE, FULL FRONTAL CRASH, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, DEALERSHIP AND USAA INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO MAKE ANY DETERMINATIONS. *NOTE: PASSENGER SUSTAINED FOLLOWING INJURIES:…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 3, 2001 · crash

“1998 TOYOTA AVALON STUCK GAS PEDAL *GR THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND DOWN A SLIGHT DECLINE AND HIT A TREE ABOUT 40 TO 50 FEET FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 6, 2009 · crash

1998 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 1998 Toyota Avalon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 205 complaints put the 1998 model at #8 of 28 Avalon years. It is one of the Avalon years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (20 complaints), suspension (19 complaints), visibility & wipers (19 complaints).

Does the 1998 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Toyota Avalon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Avalon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalon years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2003, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1998, 2013. The cleanest record among Avalon years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.