1997 Toyota Avalon Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two long-running themes: power steering fluid leaks traced to the rack and pinion, and front and rear suspension noise and wear, including rusted rear subframe and crossmember components on older, higher-mileage cars. The steering complaints often appear at relatively low mileage, while the suspension and structural complaints are more common well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering rack and pinion leaks

   • 29 complaints (23%)
   • median 79,366 mi at 7.1 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2008

   Owners describe power steering fluid pooling under the car or disappearing from the reservoir, sometimes with a tight or heavy steering feel and pump noise. In many complaints the dealer or shop recommended replacing the rack and pinion assembly, often quoting repair costs in the four figures. Several owners reported repeat rack replacements or a leaking steering pump along with the rack. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 125,000 miles, with several complaints at 50,000 to 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for fresh fluid or oily residue on the rack, steering boots and the ground under the front of the car; ask whether the rack or pump has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a brand new 1997 Toyota Avalon for my wife. The vehicle has just recently turned over 29,000 miles, and obviously has passed the 3 year warranty. However, it has yet to reach the normal 36,000 mile warranty mark. On january 18, 2003 I noticed a large puddle of fluid underneath the car. I checked the fluid levels, and found that the power steering reservoir was almost empty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10005436, filed 2003-02, 29,309 miles

   “I noticed a wobble in the steering and took the car to a tire dealer. Dealer balanced tires and said all would be ok. In less than 10 miles wobble reappeared and took car to another shop of tire dealer. Wobble was less noticible and next day noticed power steering oil on driveway. I took car into Toyota and was told I needed to replace the rack & pinipn steering unit at a cost of 1200.00. I was able to negotiated price of repair down to 1044.15, apparently because I was a good customer. I yelled a lot!”

   NHTSA complaint #10062078, filed 2004-03, 83,732 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front struts, strut mounts and suspension noise

   • 46 complaints (37%)
   • median 85,116 mi at 7.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2012

   Owners report rattling, clunking or clicking from the front and rear over bumps and rough roads, and sometimes a loose feeling through the steering wheel. Shops commonly find worn struts, leaking struts, bad strut mounts or bushings, and some owners say the same mounts failed again after replacement. A few complaints describe the dealer initially telling them nothing was wrong. Often reported between about 49,000 and 140,000 miles, with several owners describing noise that got worse over time.

   What to check: Drive the car slowly over speed bumps and rough pavement with the windows down and listen for knocks or rattles; ask for records of strut, mount and bushing replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bought used 97 Toyota Avalon at 96,000 miles couple of years ago. From day one, noticed crankling and rattling noise at the front and back. As the time went by, it got worse. Finally just had my rear struts replaced but the front is still bad. Everytime going slow 20/35 MPH I could hear things are shaking, rattling. Now the delaer just told me that rack and pinion is leaking too. Did a search on my own on the internet and found out that these happen to be known issues with Avalon. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10141303, filed 2005-10

   “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 started about 51000 miles as well. Weakness in the steering makes this a dangerous vehicle. I contacted the Toyota service center and they said they were well aware of the problems but the vehicle is out of warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10178370, filed 2007-01, 51,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration from a stop or while parking

   • 7 complaints (6%)
   • median 86,500 mi at 12.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2014

   Owners describe the car surging forward unexpectedly, often while braking at low speed, when shifting into reverse, or while pulling into a parking space. Some complaints mention high engine rpm after restarting, an EGR valve or throttle body history, and in a few cases the car could not be stopped with the brakes alone. Separately, some owners reported the traction control engaging too aggressively during acceleration. Mileage in the sample ranges from about 49,000 to 297,000 miles, with events typically at low speed in parking or stop-and-go situations.

   What to check: Test the throttle and brake response at low speed in an empty lot, check for stored engine codes and any history of throttle body or EGR repairs, and confirm the floor mat and pedal area are clear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10578759, filed 2014-04, 295,000 miles

   “The consumer stated that while parking, she experienced sudden acceleration when she applied the brake. The vehicle collided with two other vehicles. The consumer was stepping on the brake when the vehicle surged forward. The vehicle had a history of EGR valve repairs. The vehicle suddenly accelerated at the service dealership as well. The problem had something to do with the throttle body injector. The vehicle accelerated up to 4k RPM's. The power steering pump, rack and EGR valve were replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10063174, filed 2004-04, 86,500 miles

Buying note. These are old cars, so condition and service history matter more than the model-year reputation; budget for steering rack and suspension work if there are no records of it. Have the underbody, especially the rear subframe, inspected for rust, and check the age and condition of the tires before driving on them.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.