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Model year record

1997 Toyota Avalon recalls & problems

The 1997 Toyota Avalon has 1 safety recall and 125 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (43 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints125filed by owners
Crashes · fires12 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 17, 1997

Power assist

Recall 97V15600018,746 vehicles

Problem
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. A CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHERE ACCUMULATED MOISTURE CAN TEMPORARILY FREEZE IN THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE IF THE VEHICLE IS USED IN EXTREMELY COLD CLIMATES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
Risk
THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Toyota Avalon 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Avalon

22mpg combined
City / highway18 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
SteeringRack and pinion; Rack and pinion › Rack4320183,732 mi
SuspensionFront › Macpherson strut; Front27100134,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)1010099,521 mi
Tires9000—
Vehicle speed control850286,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine8100—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7103—
Air bagsFrontal5406—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Rear/other5000—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Rearview mirrors/devices › Interior4000—
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery4100—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner3000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations