1997 Toyota Avalon Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Toyota Avalon, 3% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dt: the other day the consumer parked car while rushing and took the key out of the ignition while the vehicle was in drive. The vehicle rolled backward and hit the neighbor's fence. The consumer had the key. It felt like the vehicle should have had some type of safety feature to keep the key from coming out of the ignition. This happened on september 12, 2005. Had not contacted the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10136606, filed 2005-09, 125,000 miles“1997 Toyota Avalon has an ignition system flaw that cause the car to roll after been stopped and key removed. Subsequently it may not start again the next time when key inserted.”
NHTSA complaint #10045240, filed 2003-11, 70,000 miles“I am on my 3rd battery in six and one half years. I have a 1997 Avalon, Toyota. No indication that battery is going, the car just goes dead. The last two times were at night and the car had to be towed. April 23, 2001 battery with a 70 month warranty lasted till aug.26,2003.”
NHTSA complaint #10036756, filed 2003-08Related service bulletins
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 17 | 24% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 3 | 13% |
| 2015 | 4 | 10% |
| 2014 | 11 | 11% |
| 2013 | 14 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 25 | 24% |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% |
| 2009 | 11 | 12% |
| 2008 | 44 | 13% |
| 2007 | 17 | 7% |
| 2006 | 16 | 4% |
| 2005 | 17 | 7% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 6% |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
| 2000 | 11 | 6% |
| 1999 | 6 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 11% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 7 | 6% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Avalon
40 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota Avalon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology