2001 Toyota Avalon Complaint Log

ON 11/26/2005 I EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITH MY 2001 TOYOTA AVALON WHILE BACKING MY CAR INTO OUR GARAGE. WHILE SLOWLY BACKING IN, THE CAR ACCELERATED & I BACKED INTO OUR FAMILY ROOM WALL. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UP AND THE CAR SHOT OUT OF THE GARAGE LIKE A BULLET (ONE NEIGHBOR WITNESSED IT). I QUICKLY TURNED TO AVOID A 2ND NEIGHBOR'S BRICK HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, BRAKING DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP. I HIT A 3RD NEIGHBOR'S CAR PARKED IN HIS DRIVE AND ENDED UP IN A 4TH NEIGHBOR'S DRIVE ON MY SIDE OF THE STREET!. AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I REMEMBER SAYING TO THE 1ST NEIGHBOR THAT I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR. IT'S A MIRACLE I DIDN'T HIT NEIGHBOR #2 WHO IS ALWAYS OUT IN HIS YARD, ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF KIDS OR PEOPLE WHO WALK THEIR DOGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING DOWN THE STREET. I WAS ALSO NOT INJURED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE, MY CAR AND MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR. I WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE AT TOYOTA ORLAND PARK, IL (WHERE MY 2008 CAMRY IS BEING SERVICED TODAY) THAT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN THE 2001 AVALON IS OF A DIFFERENT NATURE THAN THE CURRENT PROBLEMS. *TR

THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. AT 17217 WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL, THE WERE APPLIED AND THERE WAS A FEELING OF METAL ON METAL. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. AT 27000 MILES THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE ROTORS. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A LACK OF USE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ROTORS HAD RUSTED CAUSING THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA WHO ADMITS THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION. *TT THERE WAS NO WARNING. *SC *JB

DT:STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AT SPEEDS FROM 60 TO 75 MPH. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEARS TWICE TO BALANCE AND ROTATE THE TIRES. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA AND HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE LUBRICATED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. VEHICLE HAS 22000 MILES. CONSUMER SAYS THAT IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE UNDER THE CARRIAGE. *JB WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE WAS A VIBRATION.

LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR. PREMATURE FAILURE REAR WHEEL BEARING AT 22,000 MILES. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 2001 TOYOTA AVALON WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A THUMP SOUND. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT HOLD AND ONLY MILD DECELERATION OCCURRED. CONSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB *NM

BOTH VISORS (L&R) HAVE BROKEN. WHEN THE VISOR IS LATCHED OUT OF THE WAY THERE IS UNDUE STRESS ON THE HINGE AND ANCHOR CAUSING THE HINGE ASSEMBLY TO BREAK APART . THIS STRESS ALSO CAUSES THE ANCHOR THAT TO HOLDS THE VISOR AT REST TO RIP OUT. THIS IS CLEARLY IS A DESGIN FLAW AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD OUT OF WARRANTY AT 39,000 MILES, SORRY.*AK

I HAVE HAD 2 OF THE 4 GENERAL TIRES THAT CAME ON MY 2001 TOYOTA AVALON FAIL RECENTLY. FORTUNATELY NEITHER ONE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND I HAD THEM REPLACE IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE. I DISCOVERED THE SECOND TIRE HAD FAILED WHEN I TOOK IT TO A TIRE STORE BECAUSE IT WAS LOW AND I SUSPECTED A PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE TIRE FOR A PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT FRONT END SHIMMY BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH. WHILE THE TIRE WAS BEING CHECKED THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE HAD A SEPARATION. THESE TIRES HAVE ONLY 26,000 MILES ON THEM AND I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THEM PROPERLY INFLATED AND I ROTATED AND BALANCED THEM EVERY 6,000 MILES. HAVE NOT CHECKED THE OTHER TWO TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY CAR BUT HAVE NOT NOTICED A PROBLEM.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY AT A STOP VEHICLE SURGED. CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP. *AK THE COSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY "DIAGNOSED" THE CAR FOR 8 DAYS. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THEY FINALLY INDICATED IT WAS BECAUSE OF BUILD-UP ON THE #1 FUEL INJECTOR AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $600. THEY ALSO INDICATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. IT SEEMED ODD TO ME THAT THE POWERTRAIN IS COVERED UNTIL 60,000 MILES BUT THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE POWERTRAIN. APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE.*AK

2001 TOYOTA AVALON HAS A MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONIC BRAKES CONTROL MODULE, REPAIRED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. THE SAID MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. PURCHASED NEW MODULE FROM TOYOTA $1200. AND INSTALLED $800.. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR HAVE NO BRAKES WHEN TRAVELING ON ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS ALWAYS. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DISTRACTING LIGHT THAT INTERFERES WITH MY NIGHT OPERATION OF THE CAR. AT NIGHT, AWAY FROM LIGHTS, I SEE THE 140 FROM THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE E FROM THE FUEL GAGE, REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMAGE IS UPSIDE DOWN AND THE LIGHT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS DEAD AHEAD IN THE FIELD OF TRAVEL. I HAVE ADJUSTED MY SEAT SO I AM AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, THE TOP OF MY HEAD IS ABOUT 1" FROM THE CEILING. I'VE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALER. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT SEE THE REFLECTION, BUT IF IT IS THERE, THEY REPORT "THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE". *JB

THE SENSOR THAT CAUSES THE REAR WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER TO TURN OFF MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE BACK GLASS TO OVERHEAT AND SHATTER. I HAVE A MR2 WHICH WAS NOT LISTED IN THE VARIOUS MODELS.*AK

2001 TOYOTA AVALON SURGED FORWARD WITH THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THREE PARKED CARS IN A BUSY MALL PARKING LOT. THANKS TO A SNOWBANK AND THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE THREE CARS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT INJURING THE DRIVER OR ANYONE ELSE. THE AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK *MR

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01V072000 CONCERNING SUB FRAME FAILURE: AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A DIP THE BOTTOM HITS THE GROUND. THIS HAS CAUSED UNNECESSARY WEAR TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE UNDER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MODEL/MAKE, AND YEAR IS ON RECALL, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IT PROVIDED WRONG INFORMATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. DEALER STATED SORRY NO WARRANTY. *AK

VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY CIRCULATES THE AIR IN THE VEHICLE OR BRING FRESH AIR INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DEVICE CANNOT BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY, NOT BY THE CONSUMER OR THE DEALERSHIP. THIS POSSES A HEALTH HAZARD BECAUSE THE AIR QUALITY IN THE STATE WHERE CONSUMER LIVES IN IS BAD, AND WHEN THE DEVICE BRINGS THE BAD AIR INTO THE VEHICLE THE AIR MAKES THE OCCUPANTS SICK. *AK

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND VSC AND VSC OFF LIGHT WENT ON WHILE DRIVING!. DEALER INDICATED THAT A VALVE IN THE CHARCOAL CANISTER ASSY. WAS SHORTING OUT. THE COMPONENT IS 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 CANNISTER AND CAN OVERWHELM THE VALVE CAUSING EXCESSIVE USAGE AND POSSIBLE SHORTING. I INDICATED THAT I HAVE NEVER TOP'D OFF THE TANK IN THIS CAR, DEALER HAD NO OTHER EXPLANATION. PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE TOYOTA $1200 EXTRA CARE GOLD EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND COST TO REPLACE UNIT WAS $507.32, INCLUDING $85.00 CHARGE FOR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC. NOTE:53K ON CAR AND HAVE HAD NO UNSCHEDULED WORK DONE ON CAR SINCED IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE DEALER STATD THE INDICATOR SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, AND TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND WILL COST $1,200 AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP IN 3.0 LITER IMZ V6 ENGINE. WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT NEW PISTONS, RINGS, BEARINGS ETC. HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD OF ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS TOLD I WOULD ONLY HAVE THE REMAINING WARRANTY ON CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE SLUDGE BUILD UP. IF THIS IS TRUE HOW CAN THEY REPAIR THE ENGINE? IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT TO FAIL IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY CAN REBUILD THE ENGINE BUT IT WILL JUST BUILD UP WITH SLUDGE AGAIN IF THEY DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM....AND WHAT ABOUT RESALE VALUE? NO ONE WILL BUY THIS CAR WITH THIS ENGINE IN IT IF THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. AS FOR ME I WANT SOMETHING ELSE, I WANT BACK WHAT THIS CAR'S ENGINE PROBLEMS HAS COST ME!!

ENGINE OIL GELLING. MY 2001 AVALON XLS HAS 42,000 MILES AND IS IN THE SHOP FOR EXTENSIVE REPAIRS DUE TO OIL GELLING. I CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ABSENT A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND THIS IS MY 4TH TOYOTA CAR. DEPENDABILITY IS THE NO. 1 PRIORITY FOR ME. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, BECAUSE I MUST DEPEND ON MY VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN THE SHOP I DECIDED TO TRADE IT IN FOR A 2004 LEXUS. IMAGINE MY DISGUST WHEN THE DEALER DISCOUNTED THE VALUE OF THE TRADE-IN BECAUSE OF OIL GELLING. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *LA

I HAVE AN OIL ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS TRYING TO PLACE THE CAUSE ON MY SHOULDERS. MY HUSBAND PERFORMED OIL CHANGES AT REGULAR INTERVALS AT ABOUT 4500 MILES BETWEEN EACH CHANGE. TWICE WE HAVE HAD OTHER CHANGE THE OIL. ONCE THE DEALERSHIP AND ONCE A TEXACO EXPRESS LUBE, BOTH WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN RECEIPTS FOR. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN WE DID NOT SAVE THE RECEIPTS FROM OUR OIL AND FILTER PURCHASES. ANY AND ALL WORK DONE ON THE CAR WAS ENTERED INTO OUR MAINTANANCE MANUAL. A FEW YEARS BACK WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA EXPLAINING THE SLUDGE PROBLEM AND WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF IT OCCURRED. EVIDENTLY WHAT THEY SAID ISN'T WORTH THE PAPER IT WAS WRITTEN ON. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $750 TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THEY WILL DO ANY WORK ON THE CAR. $250 IS FOR INCIDENTIAL WORK THAT MIGHT HAVE TO BE DONE IN RELATION TO THE SLUDGE PROBLEM AND THE OTHER $500 IS A DEDUCTABLE. EXCUSE ME BUT NO WHERE IN THE LETTER OR MY WARRANTY AND OWNERSHIP MANUALS DOES IT STATE THAT IF WE PERFORM THE WORK WE ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP OUR RECEIPTS. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TRIED TO REFUSE TO GIVE ME THE NAME OF THE DISTRICT MANAGER, AND DID REFUSE TO GIVE ME A PHONE NUMBER THAT I COULD REACH HIM AT. HE SAID OUR LOG OF THE WORK WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE TOYOTA CORP., AND THAT PEOPLE HAD BEEN KNOWN TO FALSIFY RECORDS. I HAVE NEVER HAD MY INTEGRITY QUESTIONED BEFORE BUT NOW BECAUSE OF TOYOTA'S BUILDING OF AN ENGINE PRONE TO THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ALL THE SUDDEN I'VE BECOME A LIAR.

THIS TIRE COMPLETELY SHREDDED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A SQUIRREL, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND HIT TWO TREES AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS NOT KNOWN. *AK PLEASE PROVIDE VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *PH *JB

THE OIL LIGHT CONTINUES TO BE ILLUMINATED DESPITE FREQUENT OIL & FILTER CHANGES . THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE IS REQUIRING OIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 500 MILES.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND TWO TOYOTA DEALERS (ROCKLAND TOYOTA AND PAUL MILLER TOYOTA) ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLE. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA MANUAL, I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THIS CAR. *PH

TRUNK OPENS, NOT FULLY, JUST AJAR, BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY (6) TIMES IN (2) YEARS. THE TRUNK IS NOT OPEN SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE TRUNK OPEN LIGHT TO GO ON. THIS HAS HAPPEN APPROXIMATELY (3) TIMES ON THE ROAD AND (3) TIMES PARKED. WHILE ON THE ROAD IT WILL BE ANOTHER DRIVER WHO WILL SIGNAL THAT IT IS AJAR OR IN ONE CASE IT WAS A GAS STATION ATTENDANT (STILL ATTENDANT SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY!). ONE TIME THE TRUNK WAS FOUND AJAR IN THE MORNING AT A MOTEL STOP (NOTHING TAKEN), AND A COUPLE OF TIMES IT WAS FOUND OPEN WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. ON THIS AUTOMOBILE, 2001 TOYOTA AVALON, THE TRUNK OPENER IS ON THE DASH AND IS ELECTRONIC WHILE THE GAS CAP OPENER IS ON THE FLOOR AND IS MECHANICAL SO THERE CAN BE NO MISTAKING THE TWO. BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, I WILL LIST THE MOST RECENT DATE AS THE "INCIDENT DATE". THANK YOU.*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL HIT A PICKUP TRUCK, AND THEN HIT A TREE. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER IN THE PICKUP TRUCK SUSTAINED INJURIES AS WELL AS THE CONSUMER.*AK *JB *TS

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A PICKUP TRUCK AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND PASSENGER IN PICKUP TRUCK SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS BADLY DAMAGED. *AK *JB

LEFT (OUTBOARD) REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONING. THE MOUNTING POINT IS SELF-ACTIVATING AND CAUSING THE BELT TO OVERTENSION RENDERING THE BELT UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. DT

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SOMETIMES REQUIRES EXTRA FORCE TO MOVE CAUSING LURCHING OF VEHICLE. 40K MILES. TOYOTA AVALON XL.

VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DOOR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON 9/13/02 AT 65MPH, THERE WAS A TOTAL FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR A SPLIT SECOND. I DISREGARDED IT THINKING THAT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. HOWEVER, THE VERY NEXT DAY THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THE CAR WAS DEAD MAKING THE CAR INOPERATIVE. CAUSE: DISINTEGRATION OF NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL END WHICH CAUSED THE NEGATIVE CABLE TO DISCONNECT FROM ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS A SAFETY RELATED FUNCTION IN THAT IT COMPLETELY DISABLES THE VEHICLE. NLM

WHILE STOPPING VEHICLE BRAKE PEDA LWENT TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES STARTED PULSATING , AND THEY DIDN'T HOLD. HAD TO PULL EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

PARKING LEVER SLIPPED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, MOTOR RUNNING AS PERSON WAS GETTING OUT OF CAR THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE THE OPEN DOOR KNOCKED THE PERSON DOWN AND HER LEG WENT UNDER THE TIRE WHICH DRAGGED THE LEG. THE INJURED PARTY WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 3 WEEKS AND HAS HAD 4 OPERATIONS ON THE LEG. NLM

CONSUMER STATES IF VEHICLE IS IN PARK IT SLIPS INTO REVERSE. *MR THE CONSUMER STEPPED OUT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE BACKWARDS. DRIVER TRIED TO GET IN THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT, BUT THE DOOR KNOCKED HIM DOWN, THE DRIVERS RIGHT LEG WAS UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL DRUG THE LEG, THE DRIVER HAS HAD 4 OPERATION ON THE RIGHT LEG *YH

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE SKID CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK CAP WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ALSO THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT TIMES, HOWEVER THE DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. *JB *NLM

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A STRONG VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING WHICH HAS CAUSED THE TIRES AND ROTORS TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED VEHICLE WITH AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS ATTEMPTED TO GET ALIGNMENT CORRECTED 6X WITH NO SUCCESS. TS

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS AN "STRONG" VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS CAUSING TIRES AND ROTORS TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. DEALER DIAGNOSED BAD ALIGNMENT PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRED 6X TO NO AVAIL. TS

NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM

DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CORRECT PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED. HEADLIGHT FAILURE IS THE MOST SERIOUS INCIDENT TODATE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLES TRAVELING AT THE SAME TIME ALONG THE HIGHWAY, AND WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE PROMPTLY AND WITHOUT INCIDENT.*AK

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DISTRACTING LIGHT THAT INTERFERES WITH MY NIGHT OPERATION OF THE CAR. AT NIGHT, AWAY FROM LIGHTS, I SEE THE 140 FROM THE SPEEDOMETER AND E FROM THE FUEL GAGE, REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMAGE IS UPSIDE DOWN AND THE LIGHT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS DEAD AHEAD IN THE FIELD OF TRAVEL. IVE ADJUSTED MY SEAT SO IM AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, THE TOP OF MY HEAD IS ABOUT 2 FROM THE CEILING. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER THAT ATTEMPTED TO SERVICE THIS, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TOYOTA OFFICES (CASE # 200110160534). THEY REPORT "THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE".*AK

TIRES TOO NARROW AND SMALL FOR GROSS WEIGHT OF AVALON CAR. (DOT NUMBER: 205 TIRESIZE: 205 60 R)

2001 TOYOTA AVALON EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, AND WINDOWS. *MR THERE WAS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH NOISE THAT SEEMED TO ORIGINATE FROM THE FRONT END. THE NOISE WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOTICEABLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED, WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CALIPER SLIDE WAS STICKING ONTO THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. THE BRAKE ROTORS SHOWED SIGNS OF GLAZE, THERE WAS A WOBBLY FEELING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS INTERMITTENT, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT, THE DRIVERS WINDOWS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN, THE STRIPPING ON THE BUMPER WAS COMING OFF, THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AT TIMES, THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED, THE RADIO BUTTONS WERE FADING, THE CASSETTE WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VENT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING, THE WIPER BLADE(S) WERE NOISY, THE WINDSHIELD HAD "MILLION" OF DOTS ALL OVER IT, AND THE FRONT PANEL WAS LIT FOR THE BACK LIGHTS AND THERE WAS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF AIR/HEAT THAT WOULD BLOW ON THE DRIVERS FEET. THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE FRONT STRUTS WERE CRACKED AND CAUSED THE FRONT END NOISE. THE RADIO,STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND THE FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED. *SC

CHILD WAS SITTING IN BACK SEAT AND REACHED OVER TO UNLATCH SEAT BELT TO GET OUT. SEAT BELT LAYED ACROSS HIS CHEST, AND WHEN TUGGING ON IT TO SNAP IT BACK IN POSITION SEAT BELT RAPPED AROUND CHILD'S NECK. CHILD'S MOTHER PULLED ON SEAT BELT WHICH WOULD NOT RELEASE. CHILD BLACKED OUT, AND SEVERAL MEN COULD NOT GET SEAT BELT TO LOOSEN. SEAT BELT WAS FINALLY CUT TO RELEASE CHILD. CHILD'S NECK WAS BRUISED AND IRRITATED. DEALERSHIP WAS OF NO HELP, AND REFUSED THE RIGHT OF CONSUMER TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND WILL ORDER A NEW SEAT BELT. ALSO, WILL CALL THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

WHEN FILL ING UP WITH FUEL INDICATOR LIGHTS COME UP ON DASHBOARD. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL. *AK CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER THREE TIMES BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON GAS, THEN THEY DISCOVERED THE FLEXHOSE HAD COME OFF THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. *YH

AT NIGHT THERE IS A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD FROM INSTRUMENT PANEL. HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.*AK

THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE IN REAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. GAS IS SHIFTING AROUND IN GAS TANK. *AK THE NOISE WAS PROMINENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A NEW TANK. THE ORDER WAS PLACED FOR A NEW TANK BUT WAS CANCELLED BY A REPRESENTATIVE BECAUSE IT WOULD MEAN THAT TOYOTA ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANKS ON THESE VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE TANK COULDN'T BE REPLACED, BECAME MUCH WORSE. CONSUMER IS NO LONGER IN POSSESION OF THE VEHICLE. *JG

ON JUNE 23, 2001 MY FATHER WAS DRIVING A TWO-WEEK-OLD 2001 TOYOTA AVALON ON WV ROUTE 2 NEAR HUNTINGTON, WV. ACCORDING TO EYE WITNESS ACCOUNTS, MY FATHER WAS DRIVING NORTH AT AN ACCELERATING SPEED AND QUICKLY CAME UPON ANOTHER NORTHBOUND CAR FROM THE REAR. HE CUT OVER IN THE ONCOMING LANE, PASSED THE CAR, RETURNED TO THE NORTHBOUND LANE AND CONTINUED OUT OF SIGHT. THE DRIVER OF THE CAR ESTIMATED MY FATHER WAS TRAVELING PROBABLY 90 MPH. AT THE INTERSECTION OF THREE MILE AND WV ROUTE 2, MY FATHER'S CAR LEFT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, CONTINUING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ACROSS A GRASSY YARD AND OVER A KNOLL, WHERE THE CAR BECAME AIRBORNE AND FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES ACCORDING TO A SECOND WITNESS. THE CAR TORE THROUGH SOME TREE LIMBS, THEN SHEARED A TELEPHONE POLE AND CAME TO REST IN THE DITCH NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY. MY FATHER WAS KILLED INSTANTLY. AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED 250' ACROSS THE GRASSY AREA, THEN WENT AIRBORNE AND TRAVELED ANOTHER 278' BEFORE LANDING IN THE DITCH NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NEVER ANY GOOD EXPLANATION FOR WHY HE WAS TRAVELING THAT FAST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT NEWS ABOUT THE TOYOTA SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, WE NOW BELIEVE MY FATHER'S DEATH WAS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY VEHICLE. I HAVE THE ETCS (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM) MODULE FROM THE CAR IN MY POSSESSION. UPDATED 04/05/10 *BF *TR UPDATED 08/06/10*JB UPDATED 9/29/2011*CW

VEHICLE WAS AT STANDSTILL WHEN IT WAS REARENDED WITH GREAT SPEED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. TRUNK WAS PUSHED INTO BACK SEAT. VEHICLE IN FRONT AND CONSUMERS VEHICLE WERE TOTALLED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER HIT STEERING WHEEL, AND REQUIRED 20 STITCHES IN HIS FACE.*AK