1997 Toyota Avalon Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 125 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Toyota Avalon, 6% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles. 5 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.
“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“Driver was attempting to park in a legal parking space in the last row of parking lot on 9 mule rd toms river nj- nose in. Weather good. Car accelerated over the curb coming to rest in drainage ditch that backs to the lot. Air bag inflated and driver was pinned and neck broken. The car was totaled and driver taken by ambulance to hospital. No past experience with unexplained acceleration - only time it ever happened. No other cars involved in accident and driver was alone in vehicle. Police report filed. Insurance company took possession of car.”
NHTSA complaint #10322708, filed 2010-03, 49,655 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. Updated evoq 08/27/10 updated evoq 11/17/10”
NHTSA complaint #10063174, filed 2004-04, 86,500 miles“My father lost control of his vehicle, a 1997 Toyota Avalon and crashed into two utility poles on mission village drive, san diego, ca. He subsequently died of complications from his injuries to his head and lower extremities. The vehicle was completely destroyed. Updated ivoq 09/02/10 update 9/19/2011”
NHTSA complaint #10304640, filed 2010-02“When cruise control switch is pushed into decelerate mode, vehicle does not decelerate. Must push switch very hard in order for deceleration to occur. Unless a great deal of force is exerted on the switch in a situation where you want to coast, the cruise control system will engage inadvertantly.”
NHTSA complaint #703860, filed 1999-02Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 3 | 21% |
| 2016 | 2 | 9% |
| 2015 | 5 | 12% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 16% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 11 | 10% |
| 2010 | 13 | 28% |
| 2009 | 18 | 20% |
| 2008 | 45 | 13% |
| 2007 | 85 | 35% |
| 2006 | 103 | 29% |
| 2005 | 72 | 32% |
| 2004 | 25 | 12% |
| 2003 | 51 | 17% |
| 2002 | 25 | 22% |
| 2001 | 24 | 18% |
| 2000 | 20 | 12% |
| 1999 | 20 | 22% |
| 1998 | 16 | 9% |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% |
| 1996 | 10 | 9% |
| 1995 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Avalon
40 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine cooling
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 31, 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