VehicleVerdict

1999 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Toyota Avalon sits mid-pack among Avalon years: 113 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 122, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (25), speed control (22), and suspension (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

113

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

13

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2522%
Speed Control2219%
Suspension1412%
Engine76%
Electrical System65%
Brakes65%
Tires & Wheels54%
Seat Belts44%
Fuel System44%
Other44%
Transmission44%
Steering33%
Body & Structure33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seats22%
Lighting11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1999 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.

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 15-20MPH IN DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHILE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 45-50MPH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD ON. FRONT & SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. HOOD AND BUMPER WERE SEVERLY DAMAGED. TOYOTA WAS SENDING AN INSPECTOR TO DETERMINE A REASON FOR NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 21, 2001 · crash

“ WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WAS HIT BY A BUS, AND THEN CONSUMER HIT ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE RAN INTO A BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 24, 2002 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION BEGAN TO KNOCK. THE DRIVER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD STRUT. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL COST 500.00 FOR REPAIR. *NM TOYOTA SERVICE SAID THAT IF STRUT WEREN'T REPAIRED, ENGINE WILL FALL OFF FROM THE FRAME. ALSO,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 1, 2001

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 25-30 MPH. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL LIGHT MIGHT GO OFF ON IT'S OWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR 4 WEEKS, COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE AT THAT TIME, AND IT SHOWED THAT CHARCOAL CANISTER VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 15, 2003

“THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC "EVENT" CAR JUST SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. CAR WAS PARKED, DRIVER AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHEN DRIVER RETURNED AND GOT INTO CAR NOTICED A SMELL, THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, PUT THE WINDOW UP AND SMELL WAS STRONGER. LOOKED DOWN AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 10, 2010 · fire

1999 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 1999 Toyota Avalon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Avalon: 113 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1999 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (25 complaints), speed control (22 complaints), suspension (14 complaints).

Does the 1999 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 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.