Most common 1999 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of the 92 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 →
1999 Toyota Avalon recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles, Mini vans and passenger vehicles equipped with a theft deterrent systems (tds) supplied by audiovox corporation and distributed by southeast Toyota distributors, inc. In the states of alabama, florida, georgia, north and south carolina.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code label on the security system harness and any displaying the manufacturing/final date code will be replaced with newly produced harnesses.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Toyota Avalon:
Engine seizure
What 1999 Toyota Avalon owners say
Air bags all 22 →
The Avalon was involved in an accident and was struck on the rear passenger door. None of the airbags deployed. The point of impact was only a few inches away from one of the passenger side airbag. The car spun off the road onto the grass verge but fortunately the driver was able to get it back under control. I have contacted Toyota many times over the weeks since the accident, asking if this was normal or was there an airbag failure. Toyota have been dodging the question and "referring me to the appropriate department". They said they would 'inspect it', during a two week stay at their dealership but they didn't. I am concerned that the airbags, particularly the side ones did not deploy. Is there a fault in the system, or if they are not designed to operate under these circumstances , then why fit them?
Tl contact owns a 1999 Toyota Avalon. While driving 20 MPH, a vehicle crashed into the middle passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. Both occupants were wearing seat belts and were transported to the hospital. The front passenger sustained four fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, and a fractured coxae. The driver sustained a contusion under his right side rib. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The current and failure mileages were 80,600. Updated 01-11-08. Updated 12/31/07
Speed control & acceleration all 20 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving and trying to change lanes, the vehicle began to accelerate out of control. It began swaying from one lane to the next. She tried to depress the brake pedal but the vehicle was unresponsive. She hit the center divider to stop the vehicle because she had no control and could not stop the vehicle. The contact was injured and the vehicle was totaled. A police report was taken at the scene. She called the manufacturer after the accident and had the vehicle towed to a dealership. When inspected, the dealer stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The accident occurred in 2007. The current and failure mileages were approximately 27,000. Updated 03/10/10 updated 06/14/10.
1999 Toyota Avalon. Unintended acceleration causing an accident. The consumer stated she was at a car wash which was nearing the end of the was on the conveyor belt with the vehicle in neutral gear as required. At the end of the wash cycle, the green light came on which was her signal to put the vehicle in drive and ease off the belt onto the lot. At the green light, the consumer put her foot on the brake to change the gear from neutral to drive. Once in drive gear, the vehicle suddenly and instantly accelerated at a tremendously high speed. The consumer stomped on the brakes continuously with no result. The vehicle crossed the east sidewalk and three empty southbound lanes. It then collided into the three northbound-lane cars; crossed the west sidewalk and crashed through a six foot commercial chain link fence; hit a parked pick up truck and crashed into a wall. …
Suspension
While driving the passenger side suspension began to knock. The driver was told by the mechanic that the problem was a bad strut. The vehicle is out of warranty and it will cost 500.00 for repair. Toyota service said that if strut weren't repaired, engine will fall off from the frame. Also, strut problem is common for this model.
Front suspension makes a crunching noise when expanded or contracted. Dealer stated that they "think" it might be the strut mounts. Very costly estimate to try something that might work. I've seen other complaints regarding this and wanted to register mine along with the others.
1999 Toyota Avalon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Toyota Avalon a good car?
Based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Avalon rates average: 20% fewer complaints than 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 1999 Toyota Avalon?
The air bags — 22 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the speed control & acceleration (20) and suspension (14).
How many recalls does the 1999 Toyota Avalon have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 Toyota Avalon, the most recent from October 19, 1998 (control module). 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 1999 Toyota Avalon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 41% 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.