1998 Toyota Avalon Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 5% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 1 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.
“The power steering on my Toyota Avalon keeps getting difficult to turn. The maintenance garage has fixed it once indicating it was a steering shaft lubrication problem . Now it is doing the same thing again. Steering is hard to turn then sometimes jumps because the power steering kicks-in .”
NHTSA complaint #10313343, filed 2010-02, 170,000 miles“Purchased used 1998 in 1999-while driving car turns off and steering wheels become too hard to steer. Safety hazard. I have been on the highway going 65 when this happens without any symptons. Have taken it to dealer many times they say they fixed it yet it keeps reoccuring. Could kill or have major accident on the road, I'm extremely concerned because I'm a realtor and I have clients in my car all the time.”
NHTSA complaint #746186, filed 2001-05“When turning steering wheel it has hard resistance until warmed up. Dealer has parts on back order, and it will take 30 days. A rush order has been placed. Vehicle is going to get worse over the next 30 days.”
NHTSA complaint #887830, filed 2001-05“Consumer is complaining that the steering wheel is tilted. It blocks the view of the instrument panel. Consumer unable to see the speedodometer. Dealer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #825521, filed 1998-07Steering: 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 1998 Toyota Avalon
19 complaintsSuspension
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 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