Complaints
205
Crashes
29
Fires
1
Injuries
29
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Toyota Avalon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#114 complaints
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Avg mileage:33,250 mi
#213 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:12
#312 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:98,196 mi
Crash-related:4
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Toyota Avalon.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 14 | — | — | 33,250 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 | 12 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 4 | — | 98,196 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 10 | — | — | 117,176 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 8 | — | — | 28,902 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | 1 | — | 94,792 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | 1 | — | 131,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 6 | — | — | 105,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | — | — |
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,250
Air Bags:Frontal
13
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
12
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,196
Tire Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
117,176
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,902
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,792
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
131,000
Suspension:Front
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,000
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota Avalon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Toyota Avalon Years
1998 Toyota Avalon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Toyota Avalon has 205 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner with 14 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Toyota Avalon?
Top reported problems: Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner (14 complaints, avg 33,250 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (13 complaints); Unintended Acceleration (12 complaints, avg 98,196 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Toyota Avalon?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 81,155 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Toyota Avalon include 29 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 29 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Toyota Avalon as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Toyota Avalon?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Avalon reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Toyota Avalon
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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