1998 Toyota Avalon Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 11%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 11% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On or about september 19, 2005. I pulled into a parking spot aside of a shoe shop and applied my brake to stop. The 1998 Toyota Avalon which I was driving refused to stop and continued on into the side of the building at maybe 30 MPH. I was sure that I had applied extreme pressure to the brake but could not stop the car. I was so distraught that I assumed that my foot slid off the brake onto the accelerator. As I think back I am sure that I was on the brake and not on the accelerator. If I was on the accelerator I would have had a jolt forward with extreme acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10316950, filed 2010-03, 34,961 miles“Upon trying to start my car, my key wouldn't turn. I thought it could be a warn out key, so I tried my second master key and when it wouldn't turn either I tried my sub key which failed just as well. I kept trying with my two master keys, taking them out and putting them back in repeatedly. Until finally after about 30 minutes my ignition turned over. My car started at times easy and kind of easy for about 6 months following that. Then all of a sudden it started to act up again sometimes not turning over at all and leaving me stranded or missing work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10230027, filed 2008-06, 219,500 miles“Electrical system shut down in traffic at the light, alternator was tested. Battery light stay on, lights dimmed out, lost speed. Had to get pushed out the road at a busy intersection in atlanta georgia on cleveland avenue.. Bought a second alternator, same exact incident . Once headlights are turned on at night, car looses total power. I had to drive five blocks at night without lights on ralph david abernathy blvd, atlanta georgia, even the hazard lights drained a brand new battery purchased 12/02/2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11155533, filed 2018-12, 131,000 miles“I own a 1998 Toyota Avalon, which is experiencing conditions described in NHTSA 98e035000. Specifically, HVAC fan works sporadically. Local Toyota dealerships refuse to check wiring harness for recall eligibility, as called for in NHTSA: 98e035000. Dealerships will only run VIN though database, instead of checking manufacture date of wiring harness.”
NHTSA complaint #10218879, filed 2008-02, 78,000 miles“The contact owns 1998 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the instrument panel the lighting went blank. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection where the contact was told that there was an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10554671, filed 2013-12, 230,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V278000Oct 19, 1998Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles, mini vans and passenger vehicles equipped with a theft deterrent systems (tds) supplied by audiovox corporation…Covers: Toyota Avalon 1998–1999, RAV4 1998–1999, Sienna 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 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 1998 Toyota Avalon
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsEquipment
18 complaintsAir bags
16 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 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