1999 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 92 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car steering is hard to turn until it warms up. I took the steering to the repair shop for flushing 12/3/2015 but this has not solved the problem. The steering continues to be stiff/hard when turning. I don't know what the problem is. It is the only car my family uses and this is increasing making the car unsafe to drive.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2015
“While the vehicle was at a repair facility for an unrelated issue the mechanic noticed an odor of burning plastic from the drivers side door panel. Upon examination the mechanic found the front passenger window switch on the drivers master window control panel had melted and a hole fused through the side of the switch control unit. The mechanic removed the part however upon replacement of the part the replacement panel began to melt. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2015
“Was driving sound on gregory rd and another car was traveling north she came into my lane at about 40 mph and hit me head on my airbag new deployed and my seatbelt did not hold I have a bruise across my chest from steering wheel and bumps on my head. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“There was no specific "event" car just spontaneously caught fire. Car was parked, driver away from the car, when driver returned and got into car noticed a smell, thought it was coming from outside, put the window up and smell was stronger. Looked down and flames were shooting out from under the radio. Fire department called, fire extinguished. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2010
“Driver's exterior door handle broke off. Took car to dealer, and comments were this happens all the time on toyotas (from more than one person in service department on different dates. Being able to open door quickly can be a safety issue. If this is occurring as frequently as toyota service representatives led to believe, why hasn't toyota does something to correct? The grasping portion of handle is all plastic. Problem could most likely be solved easily with a little reinforcement with a durable material. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2009
“Tl*the driver owns a 1999 toyota avalon. The contact stated the vehicle experienced a recurring failure in which the check engine light would intermittently illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact also stated the alarm system would intermittently turn on involuntarily. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 98e035000 (electrical system:ignition:anti-theft controller). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000 and the current mileage was 190,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2009
“Tl*the 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. *kb updated 12/31/07”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2007
“Similar complaint to case number 10192892 filed 6/11/2007. I purchased 4 toyo spectrum tires for 1999 avalon that continually lost air. They ere all slow leaks, but required filling up once per month. I checked them for nails, but there wasv nothing evident.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2007
“I purchased 4 toyo tires for my 1999 toyota avalon last summer. All of the tires continue to lose air requiring I fill them up 2 or 3 times a month! *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2007
“Michelin symmetry p205/65 r15 blew out at highway speed. Sidewall was completely separated from the remainder of the tire. Pictures available on request. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS USED ON 1998-1998 TOYOTA RAV4, AVALON, AND SIENNA MODEL VEHICLES DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN "OPEN CIRCUIT" CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.
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. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.
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. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.
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. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA has 92 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Toyota Avalon. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Avalon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 53,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Toyota Avalon have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.