1998 Toyota Avalon xls from North America - Comments

Climate control went out and dealer wanted $600 for parts and $300 for labor to replace it. I assume they never heard of repairing a defective unit. If you had a $600 TV go out and manufacturer told you to junk it and get a new one, you would think the manufacturer was crazy. Purchased replacement climate control system from salvage yard for $65 and had it installed by small garage for $75. Unfortunately it has gone out again so will need to replace it. Toyota admitted they had a problem with this unit and in 1999 a service bulletin was issued, but not to replace them, but to dealers warning of the problem. I would never buy another Toyota product again, not only for the reliability factor, but shoddy service from dealer.

This has not been a common problem on any Avalons- or any other Toyota model with auto climate control. I should know- I have been a Toyota asst. service manager since the Avalon's debut in 1995. That is why only a factory replacement unit was suggested, because mechanics are not familiar with electronic devices within cars, such as the audio head unit, navigation systems (internal functions), and auto climate control computers. Often, they are sent out for repair and can be even more costly to repair than simply to replace, with a better warranty for the latter. Junkyard products are often cheaper, but for a good reason- they come from a junkyard.

Based on this comment "Toyota admitted they had a problem with this unit and in 1999 a service bulletin was issued, but not to replace them," it certainly sounds like this problem must have been fairly prevalent. I doubt a service bulletin would be issued on a problem as rare as you are suggesting. I think the experience at one Toyota dealership does not represent experiences across the board. Especially a climate control system, which may have to work harder in certain portions of the country.

My new 2003 Avalon is superb except for the climate control system. Even in Dual mode, which ties together both sides, it cannot seem to settle down. It seems always to blow hot air which raises the temperature level too much, or to blow cold air, which does the opposite. I would like it to find the desired level and to be reasonably neutral from then on. Has anyone else experienced this difficulty?

I had the climate control go out of my 1998 Toyota Avalon. I checked with the Toyota dealer and it ended up costing me $800 to replace the system. The dealer said there was a service warning also, but that they didn't offer to fix it. Obviously many people had that problem. I bought this car because they told me this car was very reliable. When I called Toyota, they told me that they couldn't reimburse me as they did send out a warning about the climate control. I had no alternative, but to fix it as I live in Minnesota and with fogged or frozen up windows, it could have been a traffic hazard. Thanks Toyota for pushing the cost on the innocent buyer of your product.

December 23, 2005

I purchased a used 1998 Toyota Avalon in Hawaii in 2000 with 7.0K miles on it. It was actually a car driven periodically for two years by a Toyota Motors executive. At

- 31K need a camber kit installed to properly align the

rear wheels ($250)

- 35k the exhaust monitrs went out ($300).

As of 12-23-05 Car has 56,000 miles on itand needs the following:

- 56k rack and pinion needs replacement (leaking)

- 56k power steering unit leak needs replacement.

- Have always had a front strut noise, but until reading the other complaints, I'd didn't realize this is a chronic Avalon problem.

I own a 1998 4 Runner and have been 100% satisfied with it, am extremely disatisfied with the Avalon's mechanical history. Who else has experienced front end problems with the 1998 Avalon.

Thanks.

Yep, this is a great car! It has 140,000miles and the engine and transmission are factory and still running smooth. We did our first tranny flush at 139,000miles. We changed out the factory spark plugs at 135,000miles! The factory plugs were still good too! The coolant is still original, and there is no coolant loss of coolant! It does not eat/leak engine oil either. Everything else in the car works wonderfully!

The only expensive repair was the rack&pinion at 85,000miles, which would have cost us $1,000. But luckily we purchased 100,000miles warranty costing us only $100.

Other than that, starter, alternator, l/r cvboots, timing belt, and both valve cover gaskets were changed between 80,000-138,000miles. The 3 rear spark plugs and rear valve cover gasket was a b*tch to change.

Awesome car... and well built!!!

BTW, we swear by Toyotas, we have 5 of'em parked in our driveway.

I have a 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS since new. I have 446,000 miles with just minor repair costs. My fan on the climate control had to be replaced. I replaced the starter with a $35.00 salvage yard starter. Changed battery once. Original alternator. Original muffler. Struts changed once, probably should have them done again. Regular oil changes with Mobil 1. Original transmission. First Toyota and I am sold on Toyota. Change the oil and they run forever.

My husband and I have a 1998 toyota avalon xls best car we ever owned we change the oil every three thousand miles and it runs beautiful; We have had some repairs, but not anything out of the ordinary; We are very happy and soon will pas the car on to our kids ; We are sold on toyota 100%. Dianna pollpeter.