Electrical system shut down in traffic at the light, alternator was tested. Battery light stay on, lights dimmed out, lost speed. Had to get pushed out the road at a busy intersection in atlanta georgia on cleveland avenue.. Bought a second alternator, same exact incident . Once headlights are turned on at night, car looses total power. I had to drive five blocks at night without lights on ralph david abernathy blvd, atlanta georgia, even the hazard lights drained a brand new battery purchased 12/02/2018.
1998 Toyota Avalon electrical problems
19 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 64,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 11%
- typical mileage
- 64,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition3
- Wiring: interior/under dash2
- Ignition: module2
- Ignition: anti-theft: control module2
- Horn2
- Wiring1
- 12v/24v/48v battery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota Avalon electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V278000 · Recall details
What 1998 Toyota Avalon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced intermittent performance of various electrical systems. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 98v278000 (electrical system) as a possible solution to the failure, but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.....updated 02/06/17 *bf consumer stated has no defroster for the front window. Updated 7/2/18*jb
Wheel locked then the car will not start, alarm system light won't blink and I'm hearing a wineing noise under the hood.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota avalon. The contact stated that upon start up, the key would not turn in the ignition nor would the vehicle start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic who also replaced the ignition cylinder and provided a new key. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Tl* the contact owns 1998 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the instrument panel the lighting went blank. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection where the contact was told that there was an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
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 could not stop the car. I was so distraught that I assumed that my foot slid off the brake onto the accelerator. As I think back I am sure that I was on the brake and not on the accelerator. If I was on the accelerator I would have had a jolt forward with extreme acceleration. It was like I was in a slow motion dream world and the avalon was under its own control. I reported it to my insurance company as being my fault since I had no other reasonable explanation. I am now sure that the avalon was under its own control and not mine. Updated 03/24/10
Upon trying to start my car, my key wouldn't turn. I thought it could be a warn out key, so I tried my second master key and when it wouldn't turn either I tried my sub key which failed just as well. I kept trying with my two master keys, taking them out and putting them back in repeatedly. Until finally after about 30 minutes my ignition turned over. My car started at times easy and kind of easy for about 6 months following that. Then all of a sudden it started to act up again sometimes not turning over at all and leaving me stranded or missing work. This now occurs every single time I try to start my car. God forbid some one follows me to my car I won't be able to get away. I've contacted numerous repair companies, mechanics, savage yards, and parts stores who have all pointed me in the direction of the dealer of the make/model because of the deferment/immobilizer system. Upon contacting the dealer I've learned to repair the problem, it will cost me a pretty penny. New parts will have to be ordered and old parts are not available.
I own a 1998 toyota avalon, which is experiencing conditions described in the federal safety agency 98e035000. Specifically, HVAC fan works sporadically. Local toyota dealerships refuse to check wiring harness for recall eligibility, as called for in the federal safety agency: 98e035000. Dealerships will only run VIN though database, instead of checking manufacture date of wiring harness.
The horn was defective. It worked intermittently. Owner has taken the vehicle to the dealer. They repaired it once in june 2003, now the horn is defective again. *jb the consumer stated the horn wasnever repaired, it doesnot respond at normal speed.
Inside fan speed turns off randomly with security light and AC controls , outside temperature reading.
Questions about the 1998 Toyota Avalon electrical
Does the 1998 Toyota Avalon have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the electrical of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 11% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1998 Toyota Avalon electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 64,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Toyota Avalon electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 98V278000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota Avalon have the most electrical problems?
The Toyota Avalon model years with the most electrical complaints are 2008 (44 complaints), 2011 (25 complaints) and 1998 (19 complaints).
Other 1998 Toyota Avalon problems
Suspension 19Visibility 19Acceleration 16Airbags 15Tires 14Brakes 13Transmission 11Engine 9Steering 9Body 7Seat belts 6Fuel system 5Seats 5Lights 3Locks 2Wheels 1
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