FaultScore report
Owners have filed 205 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between 1998 and 2023. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 28 worst.
FaultScore 71/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Toyota Avalon.
How this is worked out205
Complaints
29
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
24
Injuries reported
72,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
20%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 170,000 mi
Median failure at 70,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 66 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 64,797 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 148,971 mi
Median failure at 54,000 miles
Median failure at 37,000 miles
Median failure at 115,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Toyota Avalon 4-DR. w/SAB | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ENGINE SEIZURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
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.
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.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SEAT BELTS
All plastic parts are disintegrating, seer belts, door locks, door handles, AC vents , body trim, steering wheel, lights, & anything made of plastic
NHTSA complaint #11528800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
NHTSA complaint #11528799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
All plastic parts are disintegrating, seer belts, door locks, door handles, AC vents , body trim, steering wheel, lights, & anything made of plastic
NHTSA complaint #11528800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
NHTSA complaint #11528799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION. WHEN THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED SUDDENLY AND INDEPENDENTLY INCREASED UP TO 45 MPH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE CURB AND FLIP OVER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN ARM AND A SHOULDER AND HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS INJURIES TO HER KNEES. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS NOT OPEN ON LATE MODEL TOYOTAS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10344875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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 THE STREET CURB. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10323179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEAT BELTS
All plastic parts are disintegrating, seer belts, door locks, door handles, AC vents , body trim, steering wheel, lights, & anything made of plastic
NHTSA complaint #11528800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
NHTSA complaint #11528799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
All plastic parts are disintegrating, seer belts, door locks, door handles, AC vents , body trim, steering wheel, lights, & anything made of plastic
NHTSA complaint #11528800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
NHTSA complaint #11528799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11155533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11155533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11155533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH TWO RED LIGHTS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, ESTABLISHED A CASE NUMBER, AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA (11020 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837, (407) 641-0600). THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REMEDY OTHER THAN THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONTACT NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11090044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
ONE DAY WHEN MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND AFTER IT HAD SET FOR A FEW DAYS I STARTED IT NORMALLY AND NOTICED THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON. THIS IS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH NOW AND A LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE CODE READING INDICATES THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THEY SAID IT MIGHT NOT DEPLOY AS ITS SUPPOSED TO DURING AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOVLED SOON. AIRBAGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND LIFE SAVING.
NHTSA complaint #10954002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 NHTSA 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
NHTSA complaint #10920585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEEL LOCKED THEN THE CAR WILL NOT START, ALARM SYSTEM LIGHT WON'T BLINK AND I'M HEARING A WINEING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10894942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10554671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FILLS WITH GASOLINE/FUEL FUMES EVERY TIME THE GAS INDICATOR REACHES 1/4 OF A TANK. TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR HOWEVER THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10417891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS, I HAD A COMPLETE TIRE BLOW OUT. WHEN PULLED OVER THE RESULTING TIRE WAS TORN TO SHREDS. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AGO WITH ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY MAINTAINED (ROTATED AND ALIGNED). THERE WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TREAD STILL REMAINING ON TIRE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALL FOR ROAD ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE COMPLETE DISINTEGRATION OF THE TIRE, MY RIM WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE I REGULARLY MAINTAIN MY CAR INCLUDING THE TIRES, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED UNLESS FOR A DEFECT IN THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10414921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS, I HAD A COMPLETE TIRE BLOW OUT. WHEN PULLED OVER THE RESULTING TIRE WAS TORN TO SHREDS. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AGO WITH ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY MAINTAINED (ROTATED AND ALIGNED). THERE WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TREAD STILL REMAINING ON TIRE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALL FOR ROAD ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE COMPLETE DISINTEGRATION OF THE TIRE, MY RIM WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE I REGULARLY MAINTAIN MY CAR INCLUDING THE TIRES, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED UNLESS FOR A DEFECT IN THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10414921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION. WHEN THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED SUDDENLY AND INDEPENDENTLY INCREASED UP TO 45 MPH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE CURB AND FLIP OVER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN ARM AND A SHOULDER AND HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS INJURIES TO HER KNEES. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS NOT OPEN ON LATE MODEL TOYOTAS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10344875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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 THE STREET CURB. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10323179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #10316950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10316950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON FROM A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL. MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND DROVE THE CAR HOME BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT DRIVE THE STANDARD VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER USED TO GET THE AVALON. MY DAUGHTER FOLLOWED IN THE VEHICLE THAT HAD STANDARD SHIFT. SUDDENLY, THE AVALON BEGAN ACCELERATING TO A SPEED OF OVER 90 MPH WHILE ON A SECONDARY ROAD. MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. MY DAUGHTER CALLED HER FRIEND ON HER CELL PHONE TO ASK HER WHY SHE WAS DRIVING SO FAST. HER FRIEND WAS HYSTERICAL AND SAID THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. MY DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. JUST BEFORE A SHARP CURVE WHERE SHE WAS SURE SHE WOULD BE KILLED, THE CAR STOPPED. HER FRIEND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND COLLAPSED ON THE GROUND. THE POLICE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND ASSURED WITNESSES THAT SHE JUST HAD A LITTLE SCARE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE IN SAYRE, PENNSYLVANIA. RELUCTANT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS HAPPENED AS DESCRIBED, THE MECHANIC DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR FOR A DRIVE HIMSELF. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM, HOWEVER HE USED SOME METHOD TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. HE TOLD US THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE THROTTLE. WE CONTACTED ARE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM; WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH A TOYOTA. IN JANUARY 2009, I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MY DAUGHTER, WHO NOW RESIDES IN TENNESSEE. SUDDENLY SHE YELLED, "MY GOD!" AFTER A SHORT SILENCE THAT SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY, SHE SAID SHE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE MOTOR STARTED REVVING LOUDLY. THE CAR THEN LURCHED FORWARD. BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER, SHE PUT THE CAR IN PARK WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SHUTTING THE IGNITION OFF. SHE TOLD ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OTHER TIMES RECENTLY. WE CALLED OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AGAIN TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE.
NHTSA complaint #10314621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE OR REVERSE AT A LOW SPEED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DAY HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27000. UPDATED 03/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS HESITATION FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. UPDATED 09/27/10
NHTSA complaint #10313094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING ON MY TOYOTA AVALON KEEPS GETTING DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE MAINTENANCE GARAGE HAS FIXED IT ONCE INDICATING IT WAS A "STEERING SHAFT LUBRICATION PROBLEM". NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. STEERING IS HARD TO TURN THEN SOMETIMES JUMPS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING "KICKS-IN".
NHTSA complaint #10313343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ON EIGHTEEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE THROTTLE AND ACCELERATOR LINKS WERE CLEANED. THE FAILURES CONTINUED WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/15/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10.
NHTSA complaint #10312806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHILE ACCELERATING MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, CAR'S ACCELERATOR STUCK "TO THE FLOOR", CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO 80MPH UNTIL THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PHYSICALLY LIFT THE PEDAL WITH THE SIDE OF HER FOOT. BROUGHT CAR TO REPAIR CENTER WHERE NO CAUSE WAS FOUND. PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE INITIAL INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10302523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.