Toyota Avalon Complaints (2002)

116 consumer complaints on file.

#10404334June 3, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DAMAGED WIRE CONNECTOR UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPAIRED YET, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG EXHIBITED A SHORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,281 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394592March 31, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2002 TOYOTA AVALON. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM COMPLAINT REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND ON ONE OCCASION, SHE WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. SHE ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 04/05/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386731March 7, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF ROAD, CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V345000 (STEERING) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO DATE, HE/SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A REPORT FROM TOYOTA. UPDATED 06/20/11
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10368274November 30, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA AVALON 2002 WITH @ 67K MILES ON IT TWO MONTHS AGO. I NOTICED THAT IT OCCASIONALLY HAD BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT ON COLD START UP. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AFTER 2,700 MILES ELAPSED FROM WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. I DID A CARFAX REPORT ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND IT SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A ONE OWNER CAR WITH NO REPAIR OR DAMAGE HISTORY BEFORE IT WAS TRADED IN. MY WIFE DROVE IT FOR @ 2,000 MILES AFTER THE OIL CHANGE WHEN THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MILES FROM OUR HOME. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT DIDN'T READ ANYTHING ON THE DIP STICK. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN IT TOOK 4 1/2 QUARTS TO READ FULL. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER (EHRLICH TOYOTA, GREELEY, CO) THAT DID MY OIL CHANGE AND THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TODAY TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY ABOUT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SLUDGE THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES SEVER DAMAGE TO THE AFFECTED ENGINES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THAT I PURCHASED ON THE 17TH OF SEPTEMBER 2010. I DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA CAME OUT WITH A CSP (CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM) TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. IN ESSENCE, TOYOTA AGREED TO PERFORM ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS (INCLUDING ENGINE REPAIR/OVERHAUL) IF THE VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE OWNER COULD PROVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES HAD BEEN DONE. THIS "ONE TIME" GOOD FAITH FIX APPLIED TO THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS PLUS 120 DAYS AFTER IT'S ORIGINAL PURCHASE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY AVALON BOUGHT THE CAR ON THE 24TH OF JUNE 2002. THAT ESSENTIALLY MAKES MY CAR OUT OF THE ZONE FOR THIS REPAIR AS OF THE 24TH OF OCTOBER 2010. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DEALER SAID IT'S MY PROBLEM! I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW FURIOUS THIS MAKES ME THAT I'M NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF AT THE PURCHASE DATE OF SEPT 17TH 2010. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362591October 27, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359243October 5, 2010
STEERING, TIRES
I'VE HAD MY 2002 TOYOTA AVALON SINCE IT HAD ABOUT 25,500 MILES. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 77500. FROM THE START OF OWNING THE CAR, THE TIRES WERE WORN AS IF THE CAR WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. WE HAD IT ALIGNED AT A REPUTABLE COMPANY, PURCHASED TOP OF THE LINE MICHELIN TIRES. THEY WORE INCORRECTLY JUST AS THE FIRST ONES ON THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT IN SPITE OF PROPERTY ROTATING OF THEM, ETC. LAST NOV OR SO, WE REPLACED THE TIRES AGAIN WHICH SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER THAN THEY DID. AGAIN, THE TIRES ARE WEARING IMPROPERLY. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED NO LESS THAN ONCE PER YEAR. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE STEERING. IF YOU BARELY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IT "OVERCORRECTS". I'VE LEARNED TO DRIVE IT CAREFULLY WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT EVERY PERSON WHO HAS DRIVEN IS ASTOUNDED AT THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE. I'VE SENDING THIS NOW BECAUSE I RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND TELEPHONED THE DEALER TO ASK IF THIS IS WHY IT IS RECALLED. HE SAID IT ISN'T. THEREFORE, I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. OTHER THAN THESE ITEMS, THE CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356884September 21, 2010
STEERING
2002 TOYOTA AVALON WAS REPAIRED DUE TO RECALL ON STEERING COLUMN. AFTER REPAIR, I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF IGNITION WHILE CAR WAS IN DRIVE MODE. WHICH SAFETY DEFECT IS WORSE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356183September 17, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) BUT WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED EXPECTANCY DATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH IF THE FAILURE EXISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE OF AVAILABILITY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355602September 14, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) AND CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHILE WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355245September 13, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346797August 2, 2010
STEERING
ON 14 JUNE 2010, WHILE DRIVING IN FAIRLY HEAVY TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF MY 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE WHEELS IMMEDIATELY JERKED TO THE LEFT. I REGAINED CONTROL AND MOVED THRU THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE ACTION REPEATED ITSELF. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FINDLAY TOYOTA IN HENDERSON NV. AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG NOR DID AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. FOLLOWING THE 29 JULY NEWS RELEASE FROM TOYOTA, I E-MAILED TOYOTA FOR INFORMATION REGARDING AVALON'S PROBLEM. ON 30 JULY TOYOTA RESPONDED "AT THE PRESENT TIME, TOYOTA HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A REMEDY FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL." IN YOUR 2 AUG RELEASE, NHTSA STATES THE PROBLEM IS "DUE TO IMPROPER CASTING OF THE STEERING LOCK BAR". NHTSA GOES ON TO STATE THAT "DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE". MY QUESTION IS, WHY IS IT THAT NHTSA HAS IDENTIFIED A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM AND TOYOTA HAS NOT? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341326July 3, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 TOYOTA AVALON XLS WITH ABOUT 84,000 MILES PERIODICALLY STALLS WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING 90 DEGREES AT LOW SPEED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL NEAR OUR HOUSE. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE ENGINE STALLS AND POWER STEERING BECOMES INOPERATIVE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL CAR UNTIL IT IS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED. ALL PERIODIC SERVICES ARE ACCOMPLISHED BY TOYOTA IN ACCORDANCE WITH VEHICLE SERVICE GUIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334271June 2, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS SHE TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE NEXT TO HER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKE AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327777April 27, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS APPROACHING A PARKING SPACE AT A RESTAURANT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I TURNED INTO THE SPACE. AS I CAME TO THE END OF THE SPACE, THE CAR LUNGED OVER THE CURB AND HIT THE BUILDING. BECAUSE THINGS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, I CANNOT SAY WHETHER MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE BUT I DO KNOW THAT I DIDN'T HAVE CONTROL OF MY CAR. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CORNER OF THE BUILDING AND TO MY CAR AS WELL. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR IN THE PAST AND CAN'T SAY THAT ANY EQUIPMENT WAS DEFICIENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321455March 22, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO AVOID HITTING THE LIGHT POLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT DIDN'T STATE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10318689March 15, 2010
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA RECENT RECALL CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTION FM OWNER OF 2002 TOYOTA AVALON INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT IN 2004 AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *KB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10319325March 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IN 2007 MY 2002 TOYOTA AVALON HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I WAS PARALLEL PARKING, HEADING SLOWLY FORWARD AT NO MORE THAN 1 OR 2 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. MY CAR STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAREENED ACROSS THE ROAD AND SIDEWALK, AND CRASHED INTO A TRUCK PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE STREET. FORTUNATELY NO BODY WAS HURT BUT PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ESPECIALLY IF THERE HAD BEEN PEDESTRIANS IN THE WAY. AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, I WAS VERY SHAKEN. MY CAR WAS "TOTALED" AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT HAD TO HOLD ME AT FAULT BECAUSE TOYOTA REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I AM CONVINCED THIS WAS A PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH A STICKING GAS PEDAL AS I WAS BARELY GOING FORWARD. I BELIEVE THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN TOYOTA VEHICLES SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED AND NOT CONFINED TO THE RECALLED MODELS. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO THIS EMAIL. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10318820March 11, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2002 TOYOTA AVALON EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PARKED IN RESIDENTIAL GARAGE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND GARAGE. STOMPING BRAKE RESULTED IN STOPPING AGAINST THE CONCRETE STEP UP FROM THE GARAGE FLOOR. LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. RESPONDER INDICATED THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANY KIND OF ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. INSURANCE COMPANY REP INDICATED NO HISTORY OF SUCH AN OCCURRENCE WHEN CLAIM WAS FILED. STILL PAYING SURCHARGE ON INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ACCIDENT. THREE YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN BACK SEAT AT THE TIME. OCCASIONAL SURGING FEELING WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WITH FOOT ON BRAKE LED TO HABIT OF KEEPING FURTHER BACK FROM VEHICLE IN FRONT AS A PRECAUTION. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314815February 27, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2002 TOYOTA AVALON WHEN PUT IN REVERSE COULD NOT BE STOPPED AND WENT INTO A PARKED CAR WITH 2 PEOPLE IN IT! THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 1998 TOYOTA AVALON TWICE!! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313214February 26, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2002 TOYOTA AVALON WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY ON TWO OCCASIONS. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW LOWERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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