Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Avalon 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Toyota Avalon: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

178Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

30Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Vehicle Speed Control16

Brakes15

Tires14

Fuel and Propulsion System6

Seat Belts6

Lighting4

Latches, Locks and Linkages2

Wheels1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Visibility19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V278000.

Equipment18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

98V278000Reported October 19, 1998 - 1,960 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on October 19, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 1,960 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP02004Opened April 30, 2002 - Closed June 20, 2002

ENGINE SEIZURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199813

199943

200017

200117

200221

200316

200413

20056

20061

20074

20084

20094

20108

20112

20131

20141

20162

20171

20182

20232

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.