ToyotaAvalon1998Overview/toyota/avalon/1998/base/

1998 Toyota Avalon

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Avalon.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Toyota Avalon is a passenger car driven by a four-speed automatic transmission, with its engine lubricated by five quarts of 5W-30 API oil and delivering an EPA-estimated 19 city, 27 highway, and 22 combined mpg. When situated within the model's complaint history spanning 1995 to 2022, this year fares quite well, accumulating just 195 total owner grievances compared to the peak of 359 complaints seen in 2006. Although the electrical system emerges as the primary complaint area alongside two recalls, these modest figures mean the 1998 Avalon represents a relatively dependable chapter in the nameplate's overall timeline.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620151998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/27/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD1
Engine air filter1780103010
Fuel filter2330020040 alt 2330074280
Front wiper blades85212YZZ08TM
Serpentine belt900809109483 alt 9008091212
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.1 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3439 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 27 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume106 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Avalon of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 1995 XL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995XL 3.0L V67.50 sec15.70 sec192 hpFWD
1995XLS 3.0L V67.80 sec15.80 sec192 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, FINAL DRIVE: DEXRON in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilFINAL DRIVE: DEXRON
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts239 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing7-19 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity6.90-7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca
Optional BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Engine Compression145-218 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.014 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket79 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 34 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.315 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Toyota Avalon sits at the peak of the first-generation (1995–1999) complaint arc, with 195 complaints—the highest of any year in that generation and a sharp increase from 132 in 1997. Recalls also rose to 2 in 1998 (up from 1 in 1997), and TSBs hit a generation-high of 90, indicating that this model year generated more service activity than its immediate predecessors or the 1999 model (which dropped to 97 complaints and 88 TSBs). The top complaint areas—Electrical System, Suspension, Air Bags, and Visibility—each account for 15–17 reports, and the data records 26 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint, though the root causes of these issues are not specified in the record. Compared to later generations, 1998’s complaint count is moderate (e.g., 2003 had 305 complaints), but within its own generation it is the outlier for reported problems. For a used buyer, this means the 1998 Avalon is the least favorable first-generation year to purchase, as it shows a higher frequency of owner-reported issues and recalls than the 1995–1997 or 1999 models.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
90
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
195
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 195 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System17
Suspension17
Air Bags15
Visibility15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
Equipment14
Vehicle Speed Control13
Tires13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

98V278000Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control ModuleReported 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… Remedy: 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…

98E035000Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control ModuleReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 90 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0043-142024-01-22EquipmentOBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
T-SB-0057-182023-05-30EquipmentTSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new…
TTT0636202022-03-17Back Over PreventionTT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Avalon. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Avalon take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Avalon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Avalon get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.