15 of the
205 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Avalon are about the
braking system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
75,000 miles.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WHILE IN REVERSE OR MOVING FORWARD A LOUD METAL NOISE IS PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE AND THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE BAFFLE WAS LOOSE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK AND THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,950 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,920.
NHTSA complaint #10291777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMissouri City, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:HAND CONTROL/VALVE
ON A 98 TOYOTA AVALON XLS: THE A/C AND HEATING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY OCCASIONALLY. THE FRONT AND REAR DEFOGGERS FAIL ALSO. WHEN THE SHUT DOWN OCCURS, THE AIR VENTS EMIT VERY HOT AIR, EVEN THOUGH THE THERMOSTAT IS SET FOR A/C. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT STARTED RAINING AND THE DEFOGGERS FAILED TO OPERATE. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL WIRING DEFECT FOR WHICH I HAVE APPEALED TO TOYOTA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY,BUT WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS
NHTSA complaint #10133740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesMarlboro, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
SEVERE RUSTING ON REAR BRAKE ROTORS ON A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON EFFECTIVELY REDUCING THE BRAKING POWER OF THE CAR. JOHN SUMMERS A DISTRICT PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER REPRESENTATIVE OF TOYOTA STATED THAT BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS IS REDUCED, HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL. HE ENCOURGED ME TO FILE THIS REPORT WITH YOUR OFFICE
NHTSA complaint #10119607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER STATED THE ROTORS WERE WORN, WHICH CAUSED A HEAVY VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10002595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Pierce, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
COMPLETE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE AT 16,800 MILES, CAUSED CAR TO GO THROUGH RED LIGHT. LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID. ROTOR FROZE AND BRAKE LINE FAILED AT ROTOR HOUSING. CAR DEALER HAD INSTALLED ALL NEW ROTORS AND PADS AT 9,200 MILES. MR
NHTSA complaint #768181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nevada City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAUSED THE LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RESERVOIR DOES NOT HAVE A SEPARATION THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ALL THE BRAKE FLUID FROM BEING LOST. MOST MASTER CYLINDERS HAVE A PARTITION IN THEM, SO AT LEAST THE FRONT OR BACK BRAKES WOULD STILL BE FUNCTIONAL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR FUNCTION THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD. AS IT WAS I HAD JUST PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WAS UNLOADING PASSENGERS WHEN THE BRAKE LINE FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murphy, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL DRIFTS TOWARD FLOOR AT RED LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #751930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE THE ENGINE IS IDLING DURING A STOP AND PRESSURE IS INCREASED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL DECENDS TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #557569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenlawn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WENT TO DEALER 3 OUT OF 5 PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED 2 WEEKS PRIOR BY NYS INSPECTION. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #735678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vista, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED AT 7000 MILES. BRAKES AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 14000 MILES AND 19000 MILES. ALSO, ABS BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON/OFF, AND BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #860220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vista, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED AT 7000 MILES. BRAKES AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 14000 MILES AND 19000 MILES. ALSO, ABS BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON/OFF, AND BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #860220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pedro, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKES MAKE NOISE DUE TO PADS MADE OUT OF ASBESTOS. YH
NHTSA complaint #609234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosemead, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES SQUEAKING. YH
NHTSA complaint #608763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosemead, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL LOOSE. YH
NHTSA complaint #608763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flintridge, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE, BRAKE FADING. YH
NHTSA complaint #606374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.