Model year record

1997 Toyota Avalon

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 155 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V156000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Vehicles affected
18,746
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-17
Owners notified
1997-10-01

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: rack and pinion2429,309 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1151,000 mi
Suspension: front10
Tires9
Vehicle speed control886,500 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack683,732 mi
Suspension6139,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission599,521 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Steering475,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump351,000 mi
Unknown or other3
Air bags2220,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2142,206 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Power train2
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system270,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition170,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1125,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)186,500 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1142,206 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel/propulsion system1170,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1142,206 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1
Power train: axle assembly1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats1
Service brakes1295,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, air: controls1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: body1139,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1240,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: rim160,000 mi

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.