1998 Toyota Avalon Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 10%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 10% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The AC cuts out intermittently; sometimes it will restart after the car has been sitting a while. In addition to causing discomfort, this also is potentially dangerous since the front windshield will not defog. I took the vehicle to a Toyota dealer and was told that there is a TSB for this problem (ac00599) but there is no recall. The repair cost me over $1,000. There are several other complaint for this known problem and I feel that Toyota should reimburse me for my expenses. The dealer told me Toyota would not, however.”
NHTSA complaint #10126206, filed 2005-06, 87,000 miles“Retaining hook on driver side floormat has broken off causing floormat to move forward towards brake and gas petals. Foot gets caught on mat and blocks petals. Have not attempted to repair as not able to locate area under rug to secure hook.”
NHTSA complaint #10286218, filed 2009-10, 120,000 miles“A/c climate control shuts itself off automatically after a short period usage. The outside temp.indicator,fan speed,ventilation direction, and outside air recirculation controls all go out. Almost gotten into an accident when the windshield A/C defrost did not work due to this problem. Still under the milage warranty(>36000), and went to Toyota dealer and was quoated $900 to get this problem fixed. Will contact Toyota customer service next.”
NHTSA complaint #10029134, filed 2003-07, 20,000 miles“A/c climate control shuts itself off automatically after a short period usage. The outside temperatur eindicator,fan speed,ventilation direction, and outside air recirculation controls all go out. Almost gotten into an accident when the windshield A/C defrost did not work due to this problem. Still under the milage warranty(>36000), and went to Toyota dealer and was quoated $900 to get this problem fixed. Will contact Toyota customer service next.”
NHTSA complaint #10029135, filed 2003-07, 20,000 miles“At 49,000 miles, the entire air conditioning system failed. Both the compressor and the condensor have leaks and the whole system must be replaced. Toyota has failed to offer any goodwill assistance for this repair which costs in excess of $ 1200.00 simply claiming its out of warranty. All this is a luxury, flagship vehicle. Don't buy this car! Toyota customer service stinks!! They are alot of talk about reputation but they fail to live up to their promises!! I am very dissatisfied with this car! …”
NHTSA complaint #10049577, filed 2003-12, 49,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251070Jan 22, 2024OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
- 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…
- 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…
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept…
- 10188913Feb 3, 2021TSB: 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…
- 10174891Apr 7, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates
- 10174890Apr 6, 2020TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01…
- 10145749Aug 31, 2018Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10145748Aug 31, 2018Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.
- 10143953Jul 31, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 | 10 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 10% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Avalon
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 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 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