Most common 1997 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of the 125 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Avalon complaints by model year
Best Avalon years: 2017, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998. Compare all years →
1997 Toyota Avalon recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan,minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, noth dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new design brake vacuum hose.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Toyota Avalon:
Engine seizure
What 1997 Toyota Avalon owners say
Steering all 40 →
The consumer stated that while parking, she experienced sudden acceleration when she applied the brake. The vehicle collided with two other vehicles. The consumer was stepping on the brake when the vehicle surged forward. The vehicle had a history of EGR valve repairs. The vehicle suddenly accelerated at the service dealership as well. The problem had something to do with the throttle body injector. The vehicle accelerated up to 4K RPM's. The power steering pump, rack and EGR valve were replaced. Updated evoq 08/27/10 updated evoq 11/17/10
1997 Toyota Avalon the power steering rack leaks at 51000 miles and is a known problem to Toyota. Also need to be repaired at 99000 miles the front strut mounting also failed near 50000 miles and is failing again at 99500 miles. The power steering pump makes excessive noise and leaks. This problem started about 51000 miles as well. Weakness in the steering makes this a dangerous vehicle. I contacted the Toyota service center and they said they were well aware of the problems but the vehicle is out of warranty. A service bulletin has been issued to all Toyota dealers to check for these problems and recommend repairs. The cost averages $1000. While asking Toyota customer service for help I was told to contact the ceo in Japan if not satisfied with the repair costs.
Suspension all 26 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Toyota Avalon. While driving 40 MPH, the rear passenger tire made loud noises. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lateral arm snapped off the subframe due to severe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000. Updated 11/03/16
1997 Toyota Avalon the power steering rack leaks at 51000 miles and is a known problem to Toyota. Also need to be repaired at 99000 miles the front strut mounting also failed near 50000 miles and is failing again at 99500 miles. The power steering pump makes excessive noise and leaks. This problem started about 51000 miles as well. Weakness in the steering makes this a dangerous vehicle. I contacted the Toyota service center and they said they were well aware of the problems but the vehicle is out of warranty. A service bulletin has been issued to all Toyota dealers to check for these problems and recommend repairs. The cost averages $1000. While asking Toyota customer service for help I was told to contact the ceo in Japan if not satisfied with the repair costs.
Brakes
I was on my way to college at 7:45 a.m heading highway 72 west. My car started to accelerated from 75mph to 100 MPH. I pushed, pressed, and pumped my brakes that wouldn't work. I pressed down my emergency brake which did not work either. I traveled about ten to fifteen minutes before car just suddenly came to a stop smoking from my tires and under the hood. I immediately jumped out of the car screaming thanking god for my life he spared. I was traumatized at this point. I did come to myself and dialed 911 for the fire trucks because my car was smoking so bad.next day Toyota company said it was my coil pack and charged me to fix it but I am now terrified of this car and refuse to drive it anymore. I have since had severe nightmares every night since this accident that could've been deadly.
The ABS controller failed. This part controlls the ABS braking action. According to other repair sources it is highly unusual for this part to fail. This is a critical safety component since it controls the braking system. The manufactuer of the component is bosche and there have been safety bulletins through NHTSA about these parts. The dealer and manufacturer who were both contacted won't even discuss any problems with this unit. The car was involved in an accident shortly after we purchased it . The brakes appeared to fail causing a rear end collision.
1997 Toyota Avalon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Toyota Avalon a good car?
Based on 125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Avalon rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Avalon at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Toyota Avalon?
The steering — 40 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rack and pinion. Next are the suspension (26) and brakes (11).
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Avalon have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Toyota Avalon, the most recent from September 17, 1997 (power assist). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Avalon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 1998. See the full Toyota Avalon years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Toyota Avalon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.