1998 Toyota Avalon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 9%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 9% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 14 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.
“While driving, the vehicle was involved in a crash, and neither of the air bags deployed. Also the seat belts failed to restrain the consumer properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10059846, filed 2004-04, 50,000 miles“My front side air bag deployed but did not inflate in an accident. It popped out as flat as could be! I hit my head on the side window because of this. If I had been traveling at a fast rate of speed, my head injury could have been much more serious.”
NHTSA complaint #753093, filed 2001-10“While traveling approximately 30 to 35 MPH consumers vehicle crashed into antoher vehicle, full frontal crash, drivers and passengers airbag failed to deploy, dealership and usaa insurance company have not examined vehicle to make any determinations. *note: passenger sustained following injuries: broken toe/ strained toe, and bruising from restraint belts.”
NHTSA complaint #898801, filed 2001-11“Air bags front and side failed to deploy on a frontal collision at a speed greater than 10 MPH. The speed is only an estimate, but it was great enough to cause the firewall to partially buckle. Thank heaven that the seat belts worked properly.”
NHTSA complaint #721235, filed 2000-04“While driving about 25 MPH consumer's vehicle struck another vehicle in a head-on collision, upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted. Please provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #8003368, filed 2002-01Related 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…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 12 | 57% |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 25% |
| 2017 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 4 | 17% |
| 2015 | 7 | 17% |
| 2014 | 7 | 7% |
| 2013 | 14 | 10% |
| 2012 | 6 | 20% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% |
| 2007 | 20 | 8% |
| 2006 | 27 | 8% |
| 2005 | 12 | 5% |
| 2004 | 127 | 62% |
| 2003 | 184 | 63% |
| 2002 | 35 | 30% |
| 2001 | 21 | 16% |
| 2000 | 26 | 15% |
| 1999 | 22 | 24% |
| 1998 | 16 | 9% |
| 1997 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Avalon
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsEquipment
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsTires
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Toyota Avalon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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