1998 Toyota Avalon Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 6% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles.
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.
“While accelerating merging onto the highway, car's accelerator stuck to the floor , car continued to accelerate to 80mph until the driver was able to physically lift the pedal with the side of her foot. Brought car to repair center where no cause was found. Problem has not occurred since initial incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10302523, filed 2010-01, 100,000 miles“Automatic transmission failed at 69,500 mark. Ook car into dealer and thought it was noisy brakes. Rove about 100 more miles and something broke. The transmission almost seized, could of caused an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10083045, filed 2004-07, 69,500 miles“While my usual mechanic was performing preventive maintenance on the automatic transmission at 64,500 miles, he discovered a large, bent bolt in the transmission fluid pan which was not there when the transmission was last serviced at 39,000 miles. He did not note any metal shavings, etc. And the car runs fine. He was not able to determine where the bolt came from. However, this is an obvious concern and I would like to know what Toyota has to say about it and whether it is likely to cause a transmission problem or failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10000658, filed 2002-12“While driving consumer heard noise coming from underneath the hood. Took vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic noticed that transmission needed to be replaced due to oil and coolant mixed in together.”
NHTSA complaint #10053493, filed 2004-01“While sitting in the vehicle it suddenly began to roll backwards, as a result the vehicle dropped over an embankment rolled over once and came to rest up right, possible transmission failure(kentucky uniform police traffic collision report). Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #562308, filed 2001-07Related service bulletins
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10016637Aug 1, 2005A541e transmission solenoid identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 2 | 9% |
| 2015 | 2 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 13 | 4% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 52 | 14% |
| 2005 | 33 | 14% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 11 | 6% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% |
| 1995 | 4 | 5% |
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 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