Eight problems related to front suspension have been reported for the 1997 Toyota Avalon. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Bought used 97 Toyota Avalon at 96,000 miles couple of years ago. From day one, noticed crankling and rattling noise at the front and back. As the time went by, it got worse. Finally just had my rear struts replaced but the front is still bad. Everytime going slow 20/35 mph I could hear things are shaking, rattling. Now the delaer just told me that rack and pinion is leaking too. Did a search on my own on the internet and found out that these happen to be known issues with Avalon. Have had evrything done by a local dealer here in houston but much to my chagrin dealership guys never mentioned or acknwledged these known issues. Do wanna get rid of it but it would be unfair with the purchaser. So now keeping it and going to replace the front struts with mounts as well, hoping that crankling and rattling would go away completely. Spending more buck . Feel sorry for those who bought Avalons at very low mileage. Last but not the least one can easily find these complaints from different websites from lot of people , I think its about time somebody steps up and do something about it. Thanks.
How many people must complain before something is done? there must be so many people that don't complain, but have these same problems! no safety defect listed.
Excessive wear on tires. (dot number: 004550 tiresize: p205/65r15).
Dealer reports that the part fails so often that the parts are back-ordered. No safety defect listed.
After noticing oil spots on pavement had mechanic check vehicle. Found rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced/ driver's seat belt had to be replaced due to tensioner tightening up with too much force/ tires were wearing out prematurely due to bad suspension/vehicle had rough ride, and struts were leaking.
The front suspension bar was broken causing the vehicle veeres to the left while on highway and goes out of control resulting in accident. Yh.
Problem manifests itself by rattles that apparently are on right front of vehicle.
So many suspension/struts problems with 1997 Avalon. So many complains on the web site. Talk to the service adviser at buena park Toyota and he told me the replacement parts are in back order because of so many failures. Please conduct an investigation about this falure since so many vehicles involve with the same problems. Thank you.