10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 1
Average Mileage:
97,394 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Toyota Avalon:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #8

Apr 022014

Avalon 6-cyl

  • 295,000 miles
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.

- Calhoun Falls, SC, USA

problem #7

Mar 032011

Avalon

  • 297,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Avalon XLS. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph and making a turn. When the brake pedal was engaged, the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 60 mph. The vehicle would not stop or decelerate despite the contacts braking attempts. The contact shifted into neutral and the engine was turned off in order to stop the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the throttle body cable did not appear to be stuck or defective. Once the vehicle was restarted, the engine rpms rapidly increased to 7500. After waiting five minutes the vehicle operated as normal. The contact stated that he would be taking the vehicle for diagnosis to determine the failure. The failure mileage was 297,000.

- Mongomery , AL, USA

problem #6

Feb 252009

Avalon

  • 49,655 miles
Driver was attempting to park in a legal parking space in the last row of parking lot on 9 mule rd toms river NJ- nose in. Weather good. Car accelerated over the curb coming to rest in drainage ditch that backs to the lot. Air bag inflated and driver was pinned and neck broken. The car was totaled and driver taken by ambulance to hospital. No past experience with unexplained acceleration - only time it ever happened. No other cars involved in accident and driver was alone in vehicle. Police report filed. Insurance company took possession of car.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #5

Feb 122007

Avalon 6-cyl

  • miles
My father lost control of his vehicle, a 1997 Toyota Avalon and crashed into two utility poles on mission village drive, san diego, ca. He subsequently died of complications from his injuries to his head and lower extremities. The vehicle was completely destroyed. Updated IVOQ 09/02/10 update 9/19/2011

- Montclair, NJ, USA

problem #4

Feb 232004

Avalon 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,500 miles
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

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #3

Mar 142004

Avalon 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
When the car was put on reverse to back out from a parking lot, the car accelerated fast forward, running into a pole.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #2

May 302002

(reported on)

Avalon

  • miles
Consumer states while placing vehicle in reverse and without warning vehicle accelerated forward, on the second occasion there was a minor collision.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #1

Nov 051998

Avalon

  • miles
When cruise control switch is pushed into "decelerate" mode, vehicle does not decelerate. Must push switch very hard in order for deceleration to occur. Unless a great deal of force is exerted on the switch in a situation where you want to coast, the cruise control system will engage inadvertantly.

- Charlton, MA, USA