1997 Toyota Avalon
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 40 of 125 complaints (32%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 109 in 1996 to 125 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,850 | 2,850 | 2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18 / 26 | 18 / 26 | 18 / 28 | 19 / 27 | 19 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423 | 404 | 404 | 404 | |
| Complaints filed | 80 | 109 | 125 | 178 | 92 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 10 | 12 | 25 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 10 | 8 | 25 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Avalon have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Toyota Avalon?
Steering: 40 of 125 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Avalon get?
EPA rates it 22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Toyota Avalon?
EPA estimates $2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Steering | 40 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST · Campaign 97V156000 · Sep 18, 1997
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.