2000 Toyota Avalon Complaint Log

2000 TOYOTA AVALON CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE CAR WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL. COULD NOT DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. CONDITION WAS VERIFIED BY TEACH WHEN SERVICED BY DEALER. CLEANED AND SERVICED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND RESET. CLEAN AND SERVICED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. *TR

ON MAY 22, 2009, I BACKED MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON INTO A PARKING AREA NEXT TO A SHORT PRIVATE ROAD LOCATED ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN A HIGH CLIFF ABOVE A BEACH. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, I DECIDED TO MOVE IT ABOUT A FOOT FURTHER OFF THE ROAD. SO I BACKED UP VERY SLOWLY UNTIL THE BUMPER JUST TOUCHED THE CLIFF BEHIND ME. I BRAKED, THE CAR STOPPED, AND THEN I STEPPED VERY LIGHTLY ON THE GAS PEDAL, INTENDING TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER MOVING FORWARD A FEW INCHES. TO MY HORROR, THE CAR SHOT FORWARD RAPIDLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO TURN IT TO THE LEFT AND THUS AVOIDED PLUNGING OVER THE CLIFF BELOW ME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, FISH-TAILING UP A SLIGHT GRADE. THEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR AND TURNED UPSIDE-DOWN ON THE ROAD. I SUFFERED BROKEN VERTEBRAE IN MY BACK AND NECK AND HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR 12 DAYS AND WEAR A HEAD-NECK BRACE FOR TWO MONTHS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR

I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND IT NOW HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. RECENTLY I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT. THE WHEEL LOCKED, I STOPPED THE CAR AND TRIED TURNED THE WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT TO UNLOCK IT AND IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE BACKED UP A FEW FEET AND THEN PULLED FORWARD WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN IT UNLOCKED. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FREAK OCCURRENCE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER DURING ANOTHER RIGHT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND THEN AGAIN TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. ALL THREE TIMES THE CAR HAS BEEN MOVING AND THE ENGINE RUNNING. I ASKED A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ABOUT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TOYOTA DEALERS AND NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COMPLETELY WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE UNEXPECTED FAILURE CAUSED STEERING DIFFICULTY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE ON THE STREET. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGES. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER NORMALLY AND WAS DRIVEN TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,000.

2000 TOYOTA AVALON DRIVEN BY MY WIFE QUOTE "SUDDENLY TOOK OFF" RESULTING IN A WRECK. CAR WAS TOTALED WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. EARLY MORNING WITH HEAVY RAINS, APPROX. 35 MILES PER HOUR SPEED, BREAKING, WHEN CAR TOOK OFF. *TR

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY @ APROX 55-60 MPH AND THE TIRE BLEW UP - SEE. *TR

ON JULY 3, 2008, MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WHILE ON VACATION IN SEDONA, AZ. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS IN PRESCOTT, AZ. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR RECEIPT READS: FAULTY LOCK PIN, REMOVED IGNITION LOCK BRACKET, REMOVED LOCK PIN, REINSTALLED BRACKET. NEEDS NEW LOCK BRACKET AND BREAK-OFF BOLTS. (PLEASE REFER TO THE MECHANIC NOTES THAT I NEEDED A NEW LOCK BRACKET AND BREAK-OFF BOLTS - DID TOYOTA KNOW AT THIS TIME THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PROBLEM?) RECENTLY I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR CERTAIN 2000 - 2004 TOYOTA AVALON STEERING COLUMN UPPER BRACKETS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA BY MAIL AND PHONE AND THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSES I HAVE INCURRED BECAUSE OF THEIR DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING. THE RECALL NOTICE DESCRIBES THE RECALL CONDITION AS FOLLOWS: DUE TO THE IMPROPER CASTING OF THE STEERING LOCK BAR, WHICH IS A COMPONENT OF THE STEERING INTERLOCK SYSTEM, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT MINUTE CRACK MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE. SUCH A CRACK MAY EXPAND OVER A LONG PERIOD OF REPEATED LOCK AND UNLOCK OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY THE BAR COULD BREAK. IT THIS OCCURS, THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK WHEN STATIONARY. ..... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. IN THE MORNINGS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER, THE CONTACT MAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE SHE EXCEEDED HER WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT 2000 TOYOTA AVALON XLS. THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO LOCK UP ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ON A STREET CORNER AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 98,000. UPDATED 03/30/10. *LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 07/01/10.*JB

WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER TO DIAGNOSE/REPAIR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CALL FROM DEALER REPORTED AIR/FUEL SENSOR DEFECTIVE -- GAVE PRICE OF $449 TO REPAIR, DEALER WAS AUTHORIZED TO PROCEED. TWO HOURS LATER, ANOTHER CALL FROM DEALER REPORTED THAT SENSOR COULD NOT BE REMOVED (FROZEN OR "WELDED" IN PLACE), WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE COMPLETE MANIFOLD AT COST OF GREATER THAN $1000. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE TOYOTA'S RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO FAULTY ASSEMBLY. (SEE PREVIOUS REPORT OF INSUFFICIENT ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND USED.) UNLESS ADEQUATE COMPENSATION IS FORTHCOMING, I WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THIS WAY, AS I AM TOLD IT WILL NOT DO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, BUT ONLY AFFECT GAS MILEAGE. HOWEVER, AS THIS IS PART OF THE VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM, I SUPPOSE IT WILL BE FURTHER DAMAGING AIR QUALITY. *TR

2000 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA REFUSED TO HONOR THE STEERING RECALL. THEY STATED THE CREDIT CARD RECEIPTS WERE NOT ADEQUATE PROOF OF PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR HIS DAUGHTER, THE STEERING BEGAN TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES FROM NOVEMBER 2007 TO JANUARY 2008. *JB

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5 MPH DURING NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF SHE ACCIDENTLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKES. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED ONE WAS CUT FROM THE GLASS FROM THE WINDOW. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT 'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 24,000. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN#.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WAS INAUDIBLE WHETHER TURNING THE VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT AND IT REMAINED ENGAGED AFTER THE SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, HOWEVER, THE TURN SIGNAL WAS LOUDER AT ONE TIME. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR FUEL SENSOR FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC DAMAGED THE MANIFOLD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LACKED ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING BOTH OCCURRENCES. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH THE 1999 AND 2000 MODELS LACKED SUFFICIENT ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND TO PREVENT THE DAMAGE. THERE ARE THREE SENSORS THAT MAY FAIL AND THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE MANIFOLD WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER EACH FAILURE. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN CORRECTED IN SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR ORIGINALLY PURCHASED 2000 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS ROUTINELY BEEN SERVICED BY TOYOTA DEALER. UPON LEAVING A STREET PARKING LOCATION AND PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED FORCING THE VEHICLE TO PROCEED IN THE "FROZEN" DIRECTION INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY ALL ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS AVOIDED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. SHE HAD JUST COME OFF THE FREEWAY WITH GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR AND HAD JUST DROPPED THEM OFF. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A RELATIVE SAFE POSITION, ANGLED INTO THE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND AWAITED A TOW FROM AAA TO OUR TOYOTA DEALER IN EL CAJON. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING OF THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER DISMANTLED THE STEERING COLUMN AND FOUND THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AND SLIPPED INTO THE LOCKED POSITION. THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT A COST OF $581. IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! *TR

2005 TOYOTA AVALON WAS INVOVLED IN A CRASH. IT HIT THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR. THE AVALON WAS GOING 55 MPH AND THE CAR IT HIT WAS GOING 35 MPH. BOTH CARS WERE TOTALLED. THE AVALON'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE AVALON HAD MINOR INJURIES.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GMC ENVOY XUV. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 12/04, AND HAD A WARRANTY FOR 3 YEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN DECEMBER 2006 THE VEHICLE WAS IN A REAR END CRASH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED IN DECEMBER 2006, AND THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE TO DATE BECAUSE OF UNAVAILABLE PARTS. THE CONTACT WANTED THE VEHICLE TO BE EITHER REPAIRED OR REPURCHASED. AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND MANUFACTURER WERE SUPPOSED TO GO TO SETTLEMENT ON FEBRUARY 9, 2007, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE CONTACT SINCE HE SIGNED THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND FAXED IT BACK TO THEM ON FEBRUARY 5, 2007. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GMCWAS NOT IN COMPLIANCEWITH THE AGREEMENT BY NOT HAVING THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE BODYSHOP WONT RELEASE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAW PART OF A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THEY WERE WAITING ON THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILAGE WERE 22000.*AK

WHILE CAR PARKED STEERING LOCKED WOULD NOT RELEASE, LATER THE SAME EVENING STEERING LOCKED WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING NO STEERING ABILITY, ALMOST CRASHED INTO FENCE. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER NEEDS STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, AT MY EXPENSE. I CAN HAVE OLD PART AS SOON AS I RECEIVE CAR BACK FROM DEALER. *NM

I OWN A TOYOTA AVALON 2000 WITH <87000; 4 WEEKS AGO THE CAR EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE THAT WAS DETERMINED TO BE AS A RESULT OF LOW OIL VOLUME MOST LIKELY DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP. I HAVE REGULARLY MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE, AND HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO AVOID TAKING BLAME, BUT AFTER TWO INDEPENDENT ADJUSTED VIEWED THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP HAS PUT ME IN A LOANER VEHICLE. I AM AWAITING A RETURN CALL FROM THE REGIONAL MANAGER, BUT THEY ARE TAKING A LONG TIME TO RESPOND; THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR 4 WEEKS. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND FOUND TOYOTA REPORTED OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND HAS COVERED COSTS OF REPAIRS. I AM, HOWEVER, HAVING GREAT DIFFICULTY GETTING SOMETHING DONE WITH MY CAR. *JB

AFTER DRIVING TWO HOURS MY WIFE ARRIVED AT HER DESTINATION AND FOUND ONE TIRE NEARLY FLAT. THE TIRE WAS FINE, THE LEAK WAS ACTUALLY THROUGH A PINHOLE LEAK IN THE STEEL RIM OF THE WHEEL. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. WE BELIEVE THIS WHEEL HAD A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT FROM DAY ONE, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE WHEEL BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS BEYOND THE 3-YEAR 36000 MILE WARRANTY. *JB

THE CONSUMER PAID FOR REPAIRS OF TIMING BELT, ALTERNATOR BELT, POWER STEERING BELT, HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, AND O-RING ON 2000 TOYOTA AVALON XLS. CONSUMER VIN NOT INCLUDED IN REAR HUB ASSEMBLY RECALL. *KB THE CONSUMER HAD THE LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING REPLACED PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE REPAIR FACILITY INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT HONOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE DATES LISTED ON THE RECALL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP FOR 20 SECONDS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE STEERING BY MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND VSC AND VSC OFF LIGHT WENT ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER INDICATED THAT A VALVE IN THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND THE CANISTER ITSELF NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE COMPONENTS ARE PART OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND THE VSC IS PART OF THE SAME CIRCUIT HENCE BOTH SETS OF WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON. DEALER INDICATED THAT IF YOU TOP OFF THE TANK THE EXTRA GAS SPILLS OVER INTO THE CANISTER AND CAN OVERWHELM THE VALVE CAUSING EXCESSIVE USAGE AND POSSIBLE SHORTING. I INDICATED THAT I HAVE NEVER TOPPED OFF THE TANK IN THIS CAR, DEALER HAD NO OTHER EXPLANATION. PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE TOYOTA $1800 EXTRA CARE GOLD EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND COST TO REPLACE CANISTER WAS $285.00, AND $31.00 FOR VALVE, PLUS $285.00 LABOR. NOTE:78K MILES ON VEHICLE, SAME EXACT PROBLEM ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS: 6/11/03 NEW VALVE, VACUUM SWI INSTALLED, TOTAL CHARGE $152.11 52,587 MILEAGE 10/16/03 DIAGNOSIS & CLEAN SENSOR REINSTALL CODE, TOTAL CHARGE $130.50 56,694 MILEAGE 6/24/04 DIAGNOSIS & REINSTALL CODE, TOTAL CHARGE $43.50 60,252 MILEAGE. *NM

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING IN A RIGHT HAND TURN. TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER HOUSING ASSEMBLY AND CHARGED CONSUMER $464.13. I HAVE POSESSION OF FAILED PART WHICH CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES LOOSE LOCKING PIN. VEHICLE IS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON WITH 102029 MILES. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 00V154000 CONCERNING REAR SUSPENSION. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WA S NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK

IT WAS A CLEAR DAY DRY ROAD, ABOUT 5:30 PM ON AUG. 16, 2005. I WAS WESTBOUND ON STATE RT 9, IN LOUDOUN COUNTY VA TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. A 2005 HONDA CRV, SUV, CROSSED MY LANE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS SO CLOSE THAT THERE WAS NO TIME TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT, NO TIME TO SLOW DOWN. I PUSHED THE SUV SIDEWAYS ABOUT 30 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. DURING THE ACCIDENT MY TOYOTA AVALON AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, (OPERATE). DURING THE ACCIDENT I COULD SEE THE SIDE AIR BAGS ON THE HONDA OPERATE. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT I WAS INJURED BY THE SEAT BELT AND MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY TOYOTA WITH RESPECT TO THIS ACCIDENT. *NM

'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT KEEPS COMING WHEN DRIVING. SINCE 2005, TWO TOYOTA DEALERS AND TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD. LATEST REPAIR WAS IN SEPTEMBER 2015 AT TOYOTA. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.

2000 AVALON XLS - MY WIFE WAS HIT BROADSIDE BY ANOTHER CAR THAT RAN A RED LIGHT @~50 MPH. THE IMPACT OCCURRED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND KNOCKED THE VEHICLE 25 FEET SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD. THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

AS SOON AS I START THE CAR, 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT KEEPS COMING IN SPITE OF SEVERAL YEARS OF REPAIRS AND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS SPENT AT TWO TOYOTA DEALERS, AND AT SEVERAL OTHER GARAGES. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2005. RIGHT NOW THE LIGHT IS ON. THE TOYOTA 2000 AVALON XL I HAVE HAS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. IN 2004 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL AND COST ME ALMOST $600.00 THE WATER PUMP, GASKET, DRIVE BELTS, ENGINE COVER AND LOGO, ETC HAVE BEEN CHANGED.

I STARTED MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON LX AND FOUND THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE LOCKED. THE KEY EASILY STARTED THE CAR AND I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT EASILY INTO ANY GEAR, AND DRIVE OR GO FORWARD. BUT THE STEERING REMAINED LOCKED. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLNDER HOUSING AND BRACKET ASSY. STEERING. NO EXPLATION WAS GIVEN AS TO WHY THE LOCKING HAPPENED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING IN HIS 20 YEARS OF TOWING CARS.

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THE CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR A REPLY. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER STERNUM, ABDOMEN AND LEFT SIDE FROM THE SEAT BELT. *NM THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A HAIL STORM HIT AND INSTANTLY CHANGED THE ROAD INTO ICE. THE CONSUMER SWERVED FROM THE OUTER LANE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE THE VEHICLE STRUCK TWO VEHICLES. THE TRACTION CONTROL DID NOT ACTIVATE AND THE STEERING HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. *SC THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS NON-EXISTENT ON ALL 4 WHEELS. *JB

MY 2000 TOTYOTA AVALON HAS A "LOOSE" AND "TWITCHY" FRONT SUSPENSION THAT PRESENTS ITSELF AS YOU APPROACH NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AS ROAD FEEL AND CONTROL DIMINISHES WITH INCREASED SPEED, THE CARE BECOMES STRESSFUL TO DRIVE. THIS RESULTS IN A "WANDERING" FRONT END CAUSING THE DRIVER TO OVER-CORRECT IN EVEN MODERATE TURNING MANEUVERS. THIS IS MOST PRONOUNCED WHEN SEVERAL PASSANGERS OR LUGGAGE IS IN THE CAR. THIS IS EVEN NOW REPORTED BY CONSUMMER REPORTS.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. ONCE VEHICLE STOPS ONLY THEN CAN IT BE RESTARTED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LATER, THE CONSUMER REALIZED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD. *AK

I TOOK MY AVALON IN BECAUSE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE UPON ENGINE START. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILDUP CAUSED BY THE IMPROPER MAINTAINANCE AND THAT THEY WOULD CLEAN OUT THE ENGINE AND THAT SHOULD HELP. BUT THE FACT IS THE CAR NOW PINGS SO LOUD YOU CAN NOT HEAR THE RADIO. NO IT IS NOT THE GAS. THEY BLAMED THE SLUDGE PROBLEM ON MY MAINTENANCE. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THE CAR UP TO DATE ON THE OIL CHANGES. THE MILES AT THAT TIME WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000. I HAVE HEARD MANY TOYOTA'S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MILES I HAVE NOW ARE 50,000. *NM

2000 AVALON ACCELERATED UNINTENDED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN LAFAYETTE AVENUE IN HAWTHORNE, NJ DRIVER DID ALL SHE COULD TO CONTROL CAR AND TO AVOID PEOPLE AND PROPERTY. THE ONLY WAY SHE COULD STOP THE CAR WAS TO DRIVE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO HERSELF. *TR

VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS . THE DRIVER WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S LOCK NOR PASSENGER'S LOCK WOULD OPEN WHILE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PASSENGER HAD A PANIC ATTACK BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR SAFETY. PASSENGER HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR BRAKES AND 1 ROTOR. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN TO 50% CAPACITY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

I PULLED IN DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PROCEEDED TO TRY TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK. WHEN I HIT THE BUTTON, MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DASHED FORWARD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE GARAGE DOOR, FRAME AND WALL. MY DEALER SAID IT COULDN'T HAPPEN AND WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ONTO AN ENTRANCE RAMP, PROCEEDING TO A YIELD TRAFFIC SIGNAL. UNEXPECTEDLY, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TRAVEL UNCONTROLLABLY ACROSS AN INTERSECTION. AN OPPOSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PANEL NEAR THE TIRE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SEVERE INJURY TO HIS BACK. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED FOR BODY DAMAGES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

ON 5/3/2003, MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A HIGH SPEED BLOWOUT (@75 MPH) DRIVING A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. SHE CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS ONE OF 4 PURCHASED 9/11/2002, AND HAD ABOUT 10000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR INTEGRITY 205/65R15. THE TIRE TREAD WITH ROAD SURFACE CASING INTACT ENTIRELY SEPARATED FROM THE SIDE WALLS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PRIOR DAMAGE SUCH AS NAILS OR CUTS. THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE EXAMINED BY THE DEALER AND WERE FOUND TO BE PROPERLY INFLATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE AT NO CHARGE. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER THESE TIRES ARE SAFE OR NOT. THE DEALER KEPT THE TIRE. PLEASE ADVISE. WE HAVE A HIGH SPEED BLOW OUT WITH NO APPARENT EXPLANATION. IS THERE A PAST HISTORY? *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.

THE ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 65 MPH. DEALER TEST DROVE VEHICLE FOR 125 MILES HOWEVER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG THE VEHICLE. *TT *NLM

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE VEHICLE HAS A KNOCKING COMING FROM THE REAR TIRE. DUE TO A WORN HUB BEARING LOCATED INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.TS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 1MPH (ONE MILES) BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR, SHIFTED AGAIN FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND SMASHING THE VEHICLE BEHIND. DEALER HAS BEEN REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

THE WINDOWS WERE BLOTCHED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. *JB

THE VEHICLE HAS A STALLS FROM TIME TO TIME WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. ALREADY I'VE HAD FIVE DIFFENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WON'T START. I 'VE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER TWICE THEY TELL ME THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT ITHEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT, AND WAS TOLD BY THE ASSISTANT MANAGER THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER, STARTER, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VERY NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT START. I'M VERY UPSET BY THIS MATTER, AND NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. I CAN'T TRAVEL FAR FOR THIS REASON. I ALSO LEFT TWO MESSAGES WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED ANY OF MY CALLS. I FEEL THAT THE CAR HAS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE JUSTICE IN THIS MATTER.&*AK

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, ONE TIME ONLY, RESULTING IN SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. I WAS AT ENTRANCE TO CAR WASH SPEAKING TO THE ATTENDANT WHEN THE CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED. MY CAR WAS STOPPED BY HITTING THE REAR END OF A JEEP AT THE END OF THE CAR WASH. THE REASON WAS INEXPLICABLE. *TR

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT INTO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER IN THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE PEOPLE ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A LOT OF CANNISTERS ON VARIOUS TOYOTA MODELS. *AK