1998 Toyota Avalon Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 9%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 9% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles. 7 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.
“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“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“1998 Toyota Avalon stuck gas pedal the consumer stated as he was attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. He swerved to the right to avoid hitting a parked vehicle. The vehicle jumped the curb and across the sidewalk and down a slight decline and hit a tree about 40 to 50 feet from the street curb. Applying the brakes did not help. The vehicle was declared a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10323179, filed 2010-04, 45,000 miles“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“When applying brakes, the vehicle accelerated without warning. Dealer stated they were unable to duplicate the problem. Three times when almost completely stopped, the car suddenly lunged forward. The vehicle went over the cement and scrapped the bottom of the car, the tires had to be replaced. The consumer has a very dangerous uncontrollable vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10046411, filed 2003-12, 33,000 milesRelated 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…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 3 | 21% |
| 2016 | 2 | 9% |
| 2015 | 5 | 12% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 16% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 11 | 10% |
| 2010 | 13 | 28% |
| 2009 | 18 | 20% |
| 2008 | 45 | 13% |
| 2007 | 85 | 35% |
| 2006 | 103 | 29% |
| 2005 | 72 | 32% |
| 2004 | 25 | 12% |
| 2003 | 51 | 17% |
| 2002 | 25 | 22% |
| 2001 | 24 | 18% |
| 2000 | 20 | 12% |
| 1999 | 20 | 22% |
| 1998 | 16 | 9% |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% |
| 1996 | 10 | 9% |
| 1995 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Avalon
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsEquipment
18 complaintsAir bags
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