1997 Toyota Avalon Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 32%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,732miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Toyota Avalon, 32% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,732 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I purchased a 1997 Toyota Avalon xls with 55,000 miles on it from leith Toyota in raleigh north carolina in march of 2002. I now have 74,000 miles on it and have discovered that the power steering pump and complete power steering rack needs to be replaced at the cost of $1200.00. I do not understand why I should be responsible for this. I have reviewed the ntsb website and there are numerous complaints of the same problem. Why is there not a recall? I tried to get the dealership to cover some of the costs and all they offered was a free rental. …”
NHTSA complaint #10019161, filed 2003-05, 75,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10217515, filed 2008-02, 99,000 miles“Seems I'm also the victim of a common 1997 Avalon problem. The power steering pump/rack were leaking and needed to be replaced. In reviewing all of the NHTSA complaints about this problem, it seems a recall should have occurred for this all too common (and expensive) problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10075076, filed 2004-06, 113,600 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 17% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 31 | 29% |
| 2010 | 10 | 22% |
| 2009 | 18 | 20% |
| 2008 | 17 | 5% |
| 2007 | 16 | 7% |
| 2006 | 35 | 10% |
| 2005 | 42 | 18% |
| 2004 | 28 | 14% |
| 2003 | 19 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 16% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 34 | 20% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 40 | 32% |
| 1996 | 10 | 9% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Avalon
26 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 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