1999 Toyota Avalon Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 7%of 92 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 167,716miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Toyota Avalon, 7% of the 92 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 167,716 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“On august 9, 2009, my wife was driving her Avalon with our 8-year-old daughter in it, to grab a bite to eat in walnut creek, ca. When my wife tried to stop the car and turned off the engine, the car was shaking and the engine kept running even though the key was out of the ignition. Since she could not turn off the engine, she decided to drive back home that was only minutes away. But on her way home, the car lost power and all of the sudden, white smoke was erupted out of the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10323473, filed 2010-04, 165,432 miles“While the vehicle was at a repair facility for an unrelated issue the mechanic noticed an odor of burning plastic from the drivers side door panel. Upon examination the mechanic found the front passenger window switch on the drivers master window control panel had melted and a hole fused through the side of the switch control unit. The mechanic removed the part however upon replacement of the part the replacement panel began to melt.”
NHTSA complaint #10713437, filed 2015-04, 134,900 miles“There was no specific event car just spontaneously caught fire. Car was parked, driver away from the car, when driver returned and got into car noticed a smell, thought it was coming from outside, put the window up and smell was stronger. Looked down and flames were shooting out from under the radio. Fire department called, fire extinguished.”
NHTSA complaint #10348568, filed 2010-08, 175,000 miles“The driver owns a 1999 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated the vehicle experienced a recurring failure in which the check engine light would intermittently illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact also stated the alarm system would intermittently turn on involuntarily. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 98e035000 (electrical system:ignition:anti-theft controller). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000 and the current mileage was 190,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10398216, filed 2011-04, 170,000 miles“The vehicle was delivered to the consumer with a damaged wiring harness coupling that is positioned under the driver's seat, consumer has been waiting for replacement part for extended time.”
NHTSA complaint #783999, filed 2000-01Related recalls
- 98V278000Oct 19, 1998Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles, mini vans and passenger vehicles equipped with a theft deterrent systems (tds) supplied by audiovox corporation…Covers: Toyota Avalon 1998–1999, RAV4 1998–1999, Sienna 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 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…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 17 | 24% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 3 | 13% |
| 2015 | 4 | 10% |
| 2014 | 11 | 11% |
| 2013 | 14 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 25 | 24% |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% |
| 2009 | 11 | 12% |
| 2008 | 44 | 13% |
| 2007 | 17 | 7% |
| 2006 | 16 | 4% |
| 2005 | 17 | 7% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 6% |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
| 2000 | 11 | 6% |
| 1999 | 6 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 11% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 7 | 6% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1999 Toyota Avalon
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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