1997 Toyota Avalon XL from North America - Comments

I have a '98 Camry XLE and have the same issues--a front-end rattling noise emanating from the suspension.

I looked around on the Internet and came across a Toyota technical service bulletin (TSB) listed on AllData that seems to address this problem on both the '97-'98 Camry and Avalons:

SU001-00 JAN 00 Suspension - Front Support Change Reduces Noise.

Reference Camry: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/59/98596896.html.

Reference Avalon:

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/59/98595096.html.

Here is another link that supports my belief that this is what causes the sound:

http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/t/_toyota/0000048c.htm.

My plan of action is to print these pages out and then give a local Toyota dealership service department a call and state that I have THE front-end suspension noise problem specified by Toyota TSB SU001-00. I want to have it fixed as outlined by TSB SU001-00.

Unfortunately, my warranty is expired. Best of luck and hope this helps.

Ditto on the rattle sound on my wifes 97 4 cylinder Camry LE, passenger side, 53,000 miles. The shaking has slowly worsened over the last 10,000 miles. It drives me crazy. The previous comment was very helpful. I'm writing Toyota.

I found this interesting tidbit on Alldata:

http://www.alldata.com/service_provider/techrx/2000/20001225.html.

Hope this helpful.

RT.

Bought my 1999 Avalon XL 5 months ago. It only had 23 000 KMS (apr 14 000 miles). I already had to replace the 2 fronts brake ABS sensors (500$). Had to replace some cannister of some sort as the check engine light came on (300$) and of course. Of course all of these repair costs came out of my pocket as the car was more than three years old. My car is driving me crazy whenever its below freezing point.. Yes, I have the same rattling problem on the passenger side of the car. Toyota??? Way overrated, way overpriced. I should have stuck with the Mercury Sable I have been driving for 9 nearly trouble free years.

I've tried the suggestion in the link:

http://www.alldata.com/service_provider/techrx/2000/20001225.html.

posted Dec. 25 on my 98 Avalon (114,000 KM). I found no sealant buildup and the nuts were torqued OK. Noticed while rocking the front end, the strut mount boot moved quite a bit.

There was also an Avalon TSB regarding the inner tie rod causing noise. Once I find the details I'll post it.

Regarding rear end noise, I did find one suspension alignment nut loose on the left side and tightened it to solve a major rattle. There's still noise in the back that I think is trunk pan resonance. Toyota glued some felt to dampen the noise. Lift the mat and tap the trunk floor, especially the right side. The plastic tray on the left can rattle as well as the spare tire cover. I've put on the heavier carpeted rubber Avalon mat that seems to help dampen the rear noise.

My 95 Camry wagon (218,000 KM) is quiet and solid in comparison.

WC.

I to have an 98 avalon and have experienced the rattle coming from the passenger side. The car is under warranty and I took it to the Toyota dealership. Well, they said the noise is coming from the strut mount, but that it was not covered under warranty. They did find something wrong with my Rack and Pinion steering though and thankfully that was under warranty since the bill would have been around $1400.00. This car only has 56K miles on it and has been well taken care of. Seems strange with all that I have read on the internet regarding suspension issues that Toyota has not addressed. Thanks for all the information you all have provided.

I too have the rattle in my '98 Camry. It is most noticeable when I leave for work in the early morning.

Thank you to the person who provided the service bulletin information. Is this rattle dangerous in any way? Can it potentially cause harm to the vehicle or cause an accident?

Has anyone heard?

If anyone has had this problem diagnosed, please post it here and report it to Toyota. Thank you. The Internet is great for this kind of thing!

I own a 97 XLS Toyota Avalon and I had the rattle sound problem in the front suspension system. The problem is gone. The origin is in the shock links, the two bone like link bars about 10 inches long that connects the shock strut lower end to the stab bar. Their ball joints gets worn and tends to move on rough roads causing the rattle. They cost about $50 each (they are two, one on each side) and it took me around half an hour to replace them. I olso went to ALLDATA.com, it help me to find solutions regarding other suspensions problems.

Good Luck.

I bought a 97' Toyota Avalon XL, {used} and here is the run down.

1. Bought and replaced rack and pinion.

2. Received phone call from dealer, telling me it was not the rack and pinion that needed replacing, but a "knuckle' which connected the rack to the steering wheel.

3. Payed for it anyway

4. Got the car back in the same condition I brought it in.

5. Heard a lot of, "I'm so sorry'

6. Payed for that also.

7. To make matters worse, it's back there again as I type, to get the struts done.

I purchased a 97 Avalon XLS and immediately noticed the rattling noise from the front end when winter came. As suggested, the rattling was entirely a result of the worn strut mounts. Cost about $200 Cdn ($160 US) to have each side done. You can obtain a copy of the technical bulletin addressing this issue at your Toyota dealership. The replacement part numbers have been changed several times.

However, there now seems to be a very harsh squeaking noise from the front end when driving over humps that cause the suspension to travel dramatically. Has anyone had this noise?

Also, I am beginning to notice a rattling sound from the rear of the car, which I am hoping is not a result of the rear mounts failing. One comment suggested that a loose "suspension alignment nut" may be the cause? Anyone else find this?

Finally, I read a lot about the rack failing on these cars. Mine has begun to make a faint squealing noise at -25C temperatures. Can anyone tell me what the symptoms of their steering were before rack replacement?

I have a 99's Camry 4cyl. Same rattling noise as everyone here is complaining. The noise come from the front while driving in rough road. I have the feeling that the car is coming apart any time now.

Toyota must know about this problem very well. The question is why they don't issue a recall to fix the poor design!!! Are you listening to us Toyota??? Please don't ignore the customers. No manufacturers can do this forever and stay in business.

Thanks for all those gave useful information.

I wrote to Toyota, explaining the problem and also pointed to this link telling that it is happening on several cars.

They came back and said, my car is out of warranty and I am on my own. They will not help on this matter. It is very clear that they used some inferior parts on some batches, and we all happened to be unlucky to get them. I would still encourage everyone to write to Toyota and let them feel about their quality.

They give "life time warranty" for the changed part, (struts and mounts) but not for the original one they put while manufacturing. Is there any place where we can complain about it legally? If anyone is aware of it, please post it. Also if any one knows whether it in anyway a safety problem, let us know.

I am afraid to spend money on this, since this is a big ticket item, and still not assure that problems go away.

Sam.

Failure of the strut mounts (which appears to be the main cause behind the "rattle" noise) does not constitute a safety issue, in the words of who I consider to be a very qualified mechanic. Although the deterioration of these mounts will cause very dramatic noises, apparently the strut does not become any more likely to separate from the body. In addition, the squeaking noises that can result from A) worn steering rack housing bushings; and B) steering rack ends (among other potential causes) do not qualify as safety issues either. I would rather have heard something to the contrary, so Toyota would be more motivated to help out the many dissatisfied customers. Has anyone been convinced that these could be safety issues?

In order to test the strut mounts, this mechanic suggested one could have an assistant feel the strut body, while causing the front end suspension to travel (naturally, caution and safety should be observed), which is how he diagnosed my car. If it can be felt that there is play between the strut and mount, then the mounts have likely deteriorated. I hope that this may spare some people from having to unnecessarily replace their struts. I'm slowly getting rid of all the little sounds in my 1997 Avalon XLS (which has/does suffer from a very bad front end squeak, front end rattle, rear end rattle and dash rattle), but I have to admit I am disappointed in the build quality of this Toyota.

I purchased a 99 Camry CE new from the dealer which also has this knocking noise. The car has had the noise since day one and is really bad when there are four people riding in the car. I took the car to the dealer and even told them that it sounded like it was coming from the struts. Twice they told me that there was nothing wrong with the struts. Now it's been over three years and the warranty has expired. Recently I had a Toyota dealer admit to me that the struts have been a sore spot on the Camry and Avalon's. SHAME ON YOU TOYOTA!! I do not expect Toyota to fix this problem since they ignored it until the warranty was up. However, I sure hope that Toyota realizes that my next car will not be a Toyota. At least I'm not as unlucky as the poor Corolla owners who have to drive around in a car that smells like a sewer due to the sulfur smell from the engine. I actually saw a Corolla yesterday that appeared to have some 25 air fresheners hanging from the headliner.

I'm right there with you all. I have a '99 Solara that has a ridiculously loud rattle coming from the front end. Started on the passenger's side, but it seems to be on both sides now. A friend jokingly asked me if I had a "rattle trap" in my dash board (fishing lure for the uninitiated).

It tends to rear it's ugly head in colder weather. Not sure what I'm going to do. But it sounds awful.