Faults:

(1) My car has defective factory-installed upper strut mounts, which Toyota acknowledged via a technical service bulletin. Thus, when I drive over rough road, the upper strut mounts sounds like a part falling off my car.

Toyota refused to replace the upper strut mounts, since my car had more than 36,000 miles and I did not report the noise while my car was under the original 36,000 mile warranty.

The fact that I purchased a 6-year or 100,000 mile extended warranty was deemed irrelevant, since Toyota did not regard the noise problem as being safety-related mechanical issue.

(2) The extended warranty, however, has been useful as the rack and pinion steering failed at 50,000 miles as well as the starter at 94,000.

(3) I also replaced the front struts at 50,000, of course at my expense, but at Toyota's suggestion.

(4) At 40,000 miles my dashboard developed a rattle, which is probably likely related to the premature failure of the struts and rack and pinion.

(5) The original tires (including the spare) didn't last beyond 44,000 miles (including 2 highway flats). I replaced the original tires with Michelin X-One tires, which still have a lot of meat to them at 65,000 miles.

(6) My car produces a lot of white smoke at ignition and at drive.

(7) During winter, the car windows develop a lot of moisture when the heat is on; The only way to resolve this issue is to open windows slightly.

(8) The paint chips, especially on the hood.

General Comments:

The cabin is comfortable and the ride is smooth.

The car is underpowered, especially when there is more than one passenger.

Faults:

The McPherson struts needed replacing at 120,000 km, although this is common.

A minor repair was required to the fuel system.

General Comments:

This car is very comfortable, luxurious, and quiet.

The engine and transmission are very smooth and refined.

The cabin space is considerable, comfortably accommodating five adults in the front or back seats.

I would highly recommend this automobile to anyone needing a full size luxurious and reliable sedan.

Faults:

The Avalon had a broken clip in it's left passenger door.

A knob on the Avalon's stereo broke.

Engine coolant appears on the outside of the coolant reservoir... dry and crusty. The coolant level slowly decreases. I add a couple of ounces every few months.

There is a rattle in the front of the Avalon. It sounds like it's under the kick panel on the front passenger's side. The rattle is unpredictable. Big bumps in the road sometimes don't make noise at all. Small bumps sometimes cause a lot of noise. One mechanic says it's a bad strut mount; another one says he doesn't think so. They are both reliable mechanics. However, I don't want to spend a few hundred dollars to have struts and strut mounts replaced and still have the rattle. Any suggestions on narrowing down the search for this rattle or any comments from others who have had a rattle in a 1998 Avalon would be most appreciated.

General Comments:

This car is great for trips. It's an excellent family car. It could use a little more horsepower for passing on the highway, but I don't consider that a major problem.

Faults:

Steering required major re-build, and separately, power steering went.

Front end vibrations that stayed fixed for 15,000 km then returned, and returned, and returned despite a variety of repairs and much money.

Repeated electrical shorts.

ABS module and sensors replaced.

General Comments:

Very comfortable, but with substantial and numerous problems with reliability. Have kept the car for a prolonged period on the assumption that finally had done the last major repair. Wish I had traded it years ago - or never bought it in the first place. Put too much trust in the myth of Toyota reliability!