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1997 Toyota AvalonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 125 owner complaints about the 1997 Toyota Avalon, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year8% below the Avalon median · #12 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12518 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage84kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 8, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Toyota Avalon has problems

125 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering402
Suspension261
Tires90
Power train91
Engine and engine cooling81
Vehicle speed control86
Service brakes, hydraulic71
Seat belts50
Air bags54
14 other systems293

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Toyota Avalon recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Recall 97V-156 · Sep 17, 1997 · 18,746 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Avalon year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Avalon median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Toyota Avalon safety ratings

1997 Toyota Avalon 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Toyota Avalon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE SEIZUREDP02004 · closed Jun 20, 2002
    No recall
In owners' words

What Avalon owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10434983 · Nov 9, 2011 · 95,970 miles
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
Complaint 10217515 · Feb 9, 2008 · 99,000 miles
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 PROBLEM…
Complaint 10178370 · Jan 10, 2007 · 51,000 miles

Own a 1997 Avalon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.