1998 Toyota Avalon Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 11%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,852miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Toyota Avalon, 11% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,852 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On a 98 Toyota Avalon xls: the A/C and heating system shuts down completely occasionally. The front and rear defoggers fail also. When the shut down occurs, the air vents emit very hot air, even though the thermostat is set for A/C. I almost had an accident when it started raining and the defoggers failed to operate. It appears to be an electrical wiring defect for which I have appealed to Toyota to take responsibility,but without any success”
NHTSA complaint #10133740, filed 2005-08, 75,000 miles“The entire HVAC system of the car shuts down. Blower, heater, defroster, A/C are all inoperative. Cannot be activated manually. Windshied quickly fogs. Hours or days later, operation returns to normal. Problem recurs without pattern.”
NHTSA complaint #10116651, filed 2005-04, 32,000 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“Intermittent operation of automatic climate control system. No air conditioning, heater or fan operation. Complete shutdown of system. Will sometimes work after the car is turned off and restarted. This becomes very serious because front windshield will not defog. Toyota released a technical service bulletin on dec. 3, 1999. Bulletin ac005-99 they knew that the system had a flaw so they redesigned and updated the (ecu) A/C amplifier. Its the brain for the complete heating and A/C system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10106438, filed 2005-01, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10131993Dec 19, 2013This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
- 10131988Dec 19, 2013The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 13% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 | 30 | 22% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 14 | 13% |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 3% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 11 | 8% |
| 2000 | 17 | 10% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 19 | 11% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 12 | 11% |
| 1995 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Toyota Avalon
19 complaintsSuspension
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 30, 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