Model year guide

1998 Toyota Avalon

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Toyota Avalon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 28 on record.

1998 Toyota Avalon — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Toyota Avalon at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints195
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$1,632

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1998 Toyota Avalon recalls 2

Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module NHTSA Campaign #98V278000 · 19/10/1998

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 ALA…

Fix: 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, 9/1/9…

Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module NHTSA Campaign #98E035000 · 19/10/1998

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. …

Fix: 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, 9/1/9…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1998 Toyota Avalon common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

1998 Toyota Avalon MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1998 Toyota Avalon worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,632
High
$2,600

From 23 comparable 1998 Toyota Avalon listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Toyota Avalon costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,000
Total$15,000
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,632) with the same model 3 model-years older ($1,019), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Toyota Avalon trims & engines on record

Trims
XL · XLS
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 184 hp

1998 Toyota Avalon vehicles on record

1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18B2WU235659 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B6WU232599 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18B3WU223925 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B3WU244953 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18BXWU284835 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B0WU258941 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18BXWU252077 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B7WU219067 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B8WU290178 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B4WU239759 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B6WU226656 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18BXWU246893 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18B2WU232907 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18B6WU229329 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18B3WU263132 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B5WU222128 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18BXWU228099 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B3WU243561 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B5WU252780 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B3WU233967 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B1WU241498 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B5WU258627 1998 Toyota Avalon 1998 Toyota Avalon XL4T1BF18B4WU234559 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS4T1BF18B0WU281605

Other Toyota Avalon model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995

1998 Toyota Avalon — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Toyota Avalon have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 1998 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota Avalon?

Based on 195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, vehicle speed control, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Toyota Avalon get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1998 Toyota Avalon at about 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway).

How much is a 1998 Toyota Avalon worth?

Comparable 1998 Toyota Avalon listings run roughly $600–$2,600, typically around $1,632 (from 23 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.