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1997 Toyota Avalon problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Toyota Avalon is steering, typically around 83,732 miles. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical Avalon model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
124
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
58
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
22mpg

The worst 1997 Toyota Avalon problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    39
  • Suspension
    26
  • Brakes
    11
  • Tires
    9
  • Transmission
    9
  • Acceleration
    8
  • Engine
    8
  • Airbags
    5
  • Seat belts
    5
  • Electrical
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Lights
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Locks
    2
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assistReported September 17, 1997 · 18,746 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 97V156000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1997 Toyota Avalon

Defect investigations

Engine seizureOpened April 30, 2002, closed June 20, 2002

DP02004

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Toyota Avalon 58

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 58 bulletins for the 1997 Toyota Avalon

1997 Toyota Avalon fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylFWD182822

What 1997 Toyota Avalon owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 139,000 miles · KS

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

Filed Jun 26, 2015 · Tires · SC

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

Filed Jan 19, 2015 · Airbags · 220,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Fuel system · 170,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Driver assistance, Locks · 142,206 miles · FL

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.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 295,000 miles · SC · 1 injury

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.

Filed Oct 30, 2012 · Body, Suspension · 240,000 miles · IL

Noise coming from rear of car, upon inspection, rear suspension crossmember was rusted out. No other significant rust under car. Crossmember failed prematurely.

Filed Mar 26, 2012 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Nov 9, 2011 · Steering · 95,970 miles · FL

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.

Filed Mar 4, 2011 · Acceleration · 297,000 miles · AL

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.

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Compare the 1997 Toyota Avalon

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1997 Toyota Avalon

Is the 1997 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Owners have filed 124 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Avalon, 1.3 times a typical Avalon model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Toyota Avalon?

Steering, with 39 complaints, typically around 83,732 miles. Next is suspension (26).

How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Avalon have?

1 recall, covering service brakes, hydraulic.

What year does the Toyota Avalon have bad steering?

The Toyota Avalon model years with the most steering complaints are 2005 (42 complaints), 1997 (39 complaints) and 2006 (35 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Avalon get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Toyota Avalon range from 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 28 highway.

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