2002 Toyota Avalon

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/26/2003· TIRES

  PURCHASED TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER IN AUGUST OF 2002. CAR NOW HAS 18,300 MILES AND BOTH FRONT TIRES (YOKOHAMA ADVAN A043 185/50R15) ARE WORN BEYOND RECOMMENDED TREAD DEPTH AND BLISTERED ON INSIDE(BECAUSE OF FRONT-END MISALIGNMENT ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP). *AK

• 12/22/2005· TIRESCrash

  2002 TOYOTA AVALON LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE CONSUMER STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER WALL CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FENDER AND MIRROR. *JB

• 12/21/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS PREMATURELY WORE OUT AT 46,000 MILES. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.*AK

• 12/21/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA BRAKES VIBRATE SEVERELY. VSC SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT FREQUENTLY COMES ON. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE CAR HAD 10,000 MILES, NOW HAS 36,000 AND DEALER AND TOYOTA CLAIM IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT CAR HAS NO BRAKE PROBLEMS, NO SAFETY PROBLEMS AT ALL, AND THAT ORIGINAL BRAKES ARE NOT DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. I AM INFORMED THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, ALTHOUGH TOYOTA DENIED THIS THE DEALER ADMITTED THAT IT EXISTED, BUT I HAD TO SPECIFICALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SPECIFIC BRAKE PROBLEM, OR THEY WOULD NOT AND DID NOT ADVISE ME OF THE REMEDY. THESE BRAKE ISSUES ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/18/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 10 MILES. STOPPED AT TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND NOTICED SMOKE FILLING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THOUGHT IT WAS FROM CAR IN FRONT WHICH HAD EXCESS EXHAUST, ROLLED DOWN WINDOW AND CLEARED AIR. DROVE SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET AND NOTED CAR FILL WITH SMOKE AND ALSO COMING FROM HOOD AREA ,STOPPED LIFTED HOOD TO SEE FLAMES COMING FROM AREA AT FRONT( IE;AT RADIATOR,FAN,ALTERNATOR,ETC.).DIFFICULTY CALLING FD,ANOTHER TRUCK STOPPED AND POURED 5 GAL. OF WATER ON FLAMING AREA, PLASTIC STILL BURNED AND FULLY PUT OUT WITH EXTINGUISHER. NO ONE INJURED,BUT UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE,CALLED TOYOTA OF GREENVILLE TO PICK UP CAR. *NM

• 12/14/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES ON TOYOTA SEQUOIAS EASILY BREAK OFF, VERY FLIMSY. THIS COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE GETTING TRAPPED IN THEIR CAR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEED TO OPEN THE DOOR QUICKLY OR AGGRESSIVELY. MY NEIGHBOR HAPPENS TO HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE EVEN THE SAME COLOR AND I ASKED HIM HOW HE LIKES IT AND HE SAID FANTASTIC, EXCEPT WE HAVE BROKEN OFF 2 DOOR HANDLES. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE SERVICE WRITER CASUALLY MENTIONED, "OH, WE GET THESE IN ALL THE TIME". I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE TOYOTA ZONE OFFICE AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE $175 REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD AND A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.*AK

• 12/12/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrashFire

  I HAD A FRONTAL CRASH THAT THE HOOD WAS PUSHED IN ABOUT 1 FOOT AND RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WAS OUT. IT WAS NOT THAT BIG OF CRASH, THE AIR BAG WAS NOT DEPLOYED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MILES HOME. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE TO WAIT FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTOR TO COME FOR CLAIM INSPECTION. HOWEVER AFTER ABOUT 3 FULL DAYS, THE CAR IGNITED ITSELF AND BURNED THE WHOLE CAR. OF COURSE, I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THE FIRE STARTED BUT IT IS QUITE UNRELIABLE FOR THE CAR TO JUST IGNITE BY ITSELF. SHOULDN'T THERE SOME KIND OF SAFTY FEATURE FOR A SLIGHTLY CRASHED CAR TO BE SAFE FROM CATCHING A FIRE OR THIS SAFTY FEATURE SIMPLY MALFUNCTIONED???

• 12/11/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON A DOWNGRADE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UP TO 20 MPH. IT SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE GOING OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT AT ALL.

• 12/07/2004· EQUIPMENT

  I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA SAQUOIA IN THE YEAR OF 2002,IN THE YEAR 2003 MY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WENT OUT IN MY NEW VEHICAL UPON TAKING IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLETE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,I HAVE WENT A COMPLETE YEAR WITH OUT AN AIR CONDITION SYSTEM MIND YOU I LIVE IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA,THIS CAUSES SEVERAL THINGS TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY SUCH AS GAS GAGE NOT PROPERLT WORKING,WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR 60 MPH OR OVER THE TRUCK BEGAN TO BURN,THE AIR COMES ON AUTOMATICLLY AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO JUMP VERY BADLY LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO BLOW UP,THE HEAT ONLY WORKS WHEN YOU SET IT AT 80 DEGREES OR HIGHER SO YOU CAN ONLY LEAVE IT ON FOR SO LONG THEN YOU MUST TURN IT OFF AND WHEN IT GETS COLD AGAIN YOU HALF TO TURN IT ON AGAIN THIS GOES ON ALL DAY LONG.I CAN'T SEM TO GET ANY ONE FROM TOYOTA TO HELP ME WITH THERE DEFAULT, MY WIFE WON'T EVEN DRIVE THE CAR.SO WHEN I TOOK IT TO A NOTHER DEALER TO SEE IF THIS WAS REALLY THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME THAT THE SYSTEM WAS REALLY BLOWEN.SIRS I WORK VERY HARD FOR MY MONEY AND I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF IT TO GIVE AWAY,IREALLY DON'T APPRICIATE A PRESTEGIOUS COMPANY SUCH AS TOYOTA TO PRAY ON ON IT'S CONSUMER. WHEN THE VEHICAL WAS CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AT MY REQUEST THERE WAS WHAT YOU CALL A BULLITEN ON THIS PROBLEM,I THEN ASKED IF YOU KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM ENOUGH WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL I REALLY DON THINK THAT I THE CONSUMER SHOULD HALF TO FOOT A $2000 BILLL ON SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT I AM VERY SORRY THAT I PICKED A TOYOTA SEQUOIA THIS IS NOT A CHEAP VEHICAL IF YOU CAN HELP ME AND MY FAMILY PLEASE DO SO.THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *AK

• 12/01/2009· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 65 MPH. WHEN I TAPPED ON THE BRAKE TO RESET THE CRUISE CONTROL, NOT ONLY THAT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN, IT ACTUALLY PICKED UP THE SPEED AND STARTED TURNING AROUND ALL OVER THE HIGH WAY IN A BIG 'S' SHAPE. NEITHER THE BRAKE NOR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FUNCTIONING. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY OUT OF MY CONTROL. THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE SIDE RAIL ON THE ROAD. THE WEATHER WAS GOOD AND THE ROAD WAS CLEAR. AS AN ENGINEER, I SUSPECT THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR(S) OF THE CAR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

• 11/30/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 11/26/2017· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG ON WITH ERROR CODE B0113 ( SHORT INSIDE SQUIB HR CIRCUIT TO +B ) AND CAN NOT ERASE CODE.

• 11/24/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  DURING A FRONT-END COLLISION IN WHICH MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND RAMMED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THE AIR BAG INFLATION SENSOR WAS SHEARED OFF IT'S MOUNTING BRACKET. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO INFLATE BECAUSE THE SENSOR FAILED TO DETECT THE IMPACT.

• 11/20/2010· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  2002 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, I CAN HEAR IT UNLATCH BUT REMAINS SHUT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE REAR PART OF THE DOOR BACK IN UNTIL YOU HEAR A CLICK, THEN YOU HAVE TO VIOLENTLY PULL THE HANDLE AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN. *TR

• 11/20/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TOYOTA AVALON '02 ACCELERATED AND HAD NO BRAKES GOING DOWN 35-40' DRIVEWAY. WOULD KNOCK PARKED CAR THROUGH HOUSE IF I DID NOT TURN. STEERED INTO RAILROAD-TIE HOLDING BERM. BOUNCING OFF THE TIE SLOWED MOMENTUM OF CAR. WAS ABLE TO TURN. STILL CRASHED INTO PARKED CAR. TOTALED MY CAR AND PARKED CAR. *TR

• 11/19/2006· AIR BAGS

  SRS AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKING ON. 11/3/06 BROUGHT TO DEALER TO CHECK OUT, PULLED FAILURE CODE B0116 FOR LEFT HAND SQUIB, CHECKED EASILY ACCESSIBLE CONNECTORS ALL OK AT THIS TIME. CLEARED CODE AND RECHECKED OK NOW LIGHT OUT. COST $44.89 TOLD IF LIGHT RETURNS WILL NEED FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. 11/8/06 SRS AIRBAG LIGHT BACK ON. *JB

• 11/16/2011· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD BE SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT GIVE ANY DETAILS OF WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

• 11/16/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 62,000 MI. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS TO FIGURE OUT MY PROBLEM. THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON. FINALLY AFTER @$700 OF MY MONEY, THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ECU. THIS WILL NOW COST ME @1800 FOR PARTS, AND WHO KNOWS YET FOR LABOR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE SITUATION, UNLESS YOU HAVE THE EXT. WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, MAYBE RECALL THIS AND FIX THESE CARS BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I LIVE IN NEW YORK WHERE THERE IS ALOT OF SNOW. MY VSC WILL NOT WORK UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE TO RELAY ON STANDARD BRAKES IN THE SNOW UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR REPUTABLE NAME AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS ASAP..... *TR

• 11/13/2008· STEERING,SUSPENSION,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

  I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM IRA TOYOTA AND SINCE I'VE OWNED IT 4 THINGS HAVE NEVER WORKED: 1. THE SEAT BELTS ALWAYS STICK AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL DO NOT WORK. 2. THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD AND BACK. THE DEALER LOOKED AT IT MORE THAN TWICE AND STILL WILL NOT FIX IT. 3. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT TURN SMOOTHLY AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY. 4. THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY TURNS TO THE LEFT, EVEN AFTER ALL NEW, SUPERIOR WHEELS AND TIRES, NEW STRUTS AND TWO FRONT END ALIGNMENTS. THE DEALER: IRA TOYOTA COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. *TR

• 11/09/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THIS IS TO REPORT 3 INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF MY TOYOTA AVALON. IN EACH INCIDENT, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY FOR A SHORT TIME WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55MPH ON A SMOOTH LEVEL HIGHWAY. THE ACCELERATIONS EXPERIENCED CAN BE BEST DESCRIBED AS A "LUNGE". THESE INCIDENTS WERE NO IMPACT ANOMALIES. THEY ARE BEING REPORTED NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME TO SUPPORT YOUR INVESTIGATION. *TR

• 11/04/2015· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

• 11/04/2014· AIR BAGS

  WITHOUT INCIDENT, ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN CAR STARTED AND CONTINUES TO BLINK WHILE CAR IS RUNNING. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 99,000 MILES ON MY 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. LOCAL MECHANIC TESTED WITH HIS EQUIPMENT AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. HE REFERRED ME TO DEALER TO MAKE REPAIRS. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO RE-CHECK AT COST OF MORE THAN $100 AND THEN WOULD CHARGE ME FOR ANY REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED, BUT COULD NOT QUOTE PRICE UNTIL THEY PERFORMED TEST. I THEN READ ABOUT RECALLS OF 2002 AVALON, BUT MY DEALER SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE MY MAKE AND MODEL HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED. I CANNOT JUSTIFY PAYING $100+ FOR A RE-TEST AND THEN HAVING TO PAY ANY AMOUNT DEALER CHARGES TO REPAIR A 12 YEAR OLD AUTO. I DO NOT TRUST THIS DEALER BECAUSE OF PAST DEALINGS WITH THEIR SALES AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. PLEASE ADVISE ME. I TRANSPORT MY ELDERLY AUNT ON OCCASION. IS IT SAFE FOR HER TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT? THANK YOU. *TR

• 10/30/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 12/11/15 *BF UPDATED 12/15/15. *JB

• 10/29/2013· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING HOME ON 9/24/13 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I DROVE RIGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM WAS BELOW THRESHOLD ( CODE P0420). THIS REPAIR COST ME $2,541.27. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING. AFTER PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR MY AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH, EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC DID NOT SHOW A CODE. I WAS PREVIOUSLY TOLD THE CODE FOR THE AIR BAG WAS B0113. SINCE PURCHASING THIS 2002 AVALON I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VALVE ASSY, IDLE REPLACED AT A COST OF 978.63, THIS IS IN ADDITION TO REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICES. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS FOR THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME AND MILES AS THIS TOYOTA AND I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS OUTSIDE REGULAR SERVICES WITH ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES (MAZDA AND ACURA) I HAVE COMPLETELY LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE TOYOTA BRAND. I BELIEVE THERE ARE DEFECTS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE 2002 AVALON. *TR

• 10/27/2010· 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.

• 10/23/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2002 TOYOTA AVALON WITH ENGINE, VSC ON AND VSC OFF CHECK LIGHTS ON. SENSOR REPLACED AND/OR RESET X5. CHRONIC SENSOR MALFUNCTION? 1ST INCIDENT AT APPROX 20,000 MILES. VEHICLE NOW HAS 65,000 MILES. *TR

• 10/05/2010· 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

• 10/03/2020· AIR BAGS

  THE 2003-2004 MODEL AVALON'S HAVE A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAGS WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN FREQUENCIES AND NOISES. MY 2002 AVALON HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR AS WELL. I'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR EVER, BUT AS SOON AS IT HIT 140,000 MILES THE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH I SEEN THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY DEPENDABLE AND I'VE HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL NOW.

• 10/03/2007· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 10 MPH, IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE SHAKES ROUGHLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 20040604 WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND STEERING COMPUTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,200. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

• 10/03/2002· TIRES

  THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SIDEWALL WAS TORN. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T REFUND THEM. THE TEAR IS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 205/65R15 92T. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92. NLM

• 10/02/2002· PARKING BRAKECrash

  VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INCLINED SPOT. PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND CAR ROLLED OVER A CURB INTO A METAL POLE ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED. *PH (2002 TOYOTA MR2) *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768022

• 09/27/2005· SUSPENSION

  DT: 2002 TOYOTA RUNNER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS WERE CUTTING THE TIRES ON FRONT WHERE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOCATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO SAID IT IS NOT RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT, AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE CONSUMER. THIS HAS BEING HAPPENING SINCE THE CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE. IT HAS 30,000 MILES , AND NEEDED NEW TIRES.*AK

• 09/21/2010· 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

• 09/17/2010· 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.

• 09/14/2010· 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.

• 09/13/2010· 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.

• 09/11/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,370.

• 09/04/2014· AIR BAGS

  I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON XL. THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS CONSTANTLY BLINKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT TESTED IT AND SAID THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SQUIB CIRCUIT. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT TO TRIGGER THIS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED VIA A RECALL BY TOYOTA. *TR

• 08/22/2014· AIR BAGS

  THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. *TR

• 08/19/2017· STEERING

  WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN LIKE IT GET STUCK CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.I WAS DRIVING A CITY STREET WHEN I NOTICE A FEW DAYS AGO. JUST SEEING THE RECALL NOTICE.HOW LONG DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH RECALL.

• 08/13/2002· SUSPENSION

  FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. ON ONE OCCASION, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN IN ONE LANE. DEALER WORKED ON VEHICLE FIVE TIMES AND EACH TIME PROBLEM WOULD REOCCUR. CONSUMER IS IN PROCESS OF ARBITRATION. MODEL/XLS *TT *SCC

• 08/12/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

  ON 8/9 I TOOK MY CAR TO DARCARS FOR FRONT BRAKE SERVICE USING A COUPON FOR $64.95. AGAINST MY CONSENT I WAS CHARGED 368.27 THE ONLY ADDITIONAL WORK I CONSENTED TO WAS AN OIL CHANGE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE THAN $7 AS A RESULT OF THE TYPE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAVE.

• 08/11/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO ADJUST THE PRETENSIONERS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500.

• 08/02/2010· 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

• 08/01/2009· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT ON 2002 TOYOTA AVALON WITH 65000 MILES WAS FLASHING AND TOOK TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED WITH B1141 CODE -SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION. COST TO REPAIR INCLUDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER SEAT AT $2000. FIND THIS COST UNREASONABLE AND DON'T TRUST DEALER THAT THERE IS NOT A CHEAPER WAY TO FIX. INTERESTING THAT I HAD TWO SIDE COLLISIONS AND IN EITHER CASE, SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEFECTIVE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 07/26/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I PURACHASE MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN AUGUST 2003 FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE THAT MUCH, BECAUSE OF MY WIFE'S ILLNESS. WITHIN EIGHT MONTHS THE FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKE, IT WAS UNDERWARRANTY AND I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT, IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR 2005, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND AGAIN I DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT. THREE WEEKS AGO ON SUNDAY ONE OF THE MEMBER FROM THE CHURCH WAS ATTEMPTING TO RETREIVE HIS BAG AND THE HANDLE BROKE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER SHIP TO ASK ABOUT REPAIR THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD BE $300.00, AND 200.00 TO FIX THE PASSANGER SIDE. MY COMMENT TO THEM WAS CONCERNING THE REAR DOOR, WHICH I HAD NOT USED THAT MUCH AND OVER THE LAST 6 MONTH MAYBE 3 TIME AT THE MOST PER WEEK, CERTAINLY NOT ALOT. WHAT WAS AMAZING TO ME WAS THAT THE DOOR HANDLE MECHANISM IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND SO IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE. MY CONCERN AS A CONSUMER THAT TOYOTA DID NOT DO DUE DILIGENCE TO USE A PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE AND MECHANISM AND GIVEN THAT THINGS BREAK SHOULD NOT HAVE A PRICE TAG OF 300.00 TO REPLACE. I CONTEND THAT METAL PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING AND CONSIDERATION OF THE USE OF THE HANDLES. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE AT THE MERCY OF CAR MANUFACTURES TO PUT ANYTHING INTO A CAR THAT WOULD UTIMATELY WOULD PROVE NOT IN THE CONSUMERS BEST INTEREST. I AM SUGGESTING THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL TOYOTA' DOOR HANDLES. PARTICULARLY THE TRUCK WHICH BY DESIGN ARE SUPPOSE TO ENDURE TOUGH USESAGE.

• 07/25/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  2002 TOYOTA AVALON DEVELOPED REPEAT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT.*MR AFTER 4,000 OR 5,000 MILES, THE CONSUMER HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES BEFORE THEY FINALLY AGREED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DUE FOR ITS 30,000 MILE CHECK-UP HE WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKES. *JB

• 07/20/2005· SEAT BELTS

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE BUCKLING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SEAT BELT CONSUMER NOTICED THE BRACKET WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE SERVICE DEALER. T CONSUMER ASKED IF THERE COULD BE SOMETHING DONE TO PREVENT THE BOLT FROM COMING OFF, THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT IF THE BOLT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. CONSUMER FELT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE BOLT COULD COME OFF FROM THE SEAT BELT BRACKET, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE UNSAFE. IT SHOULD PERIODICALLY CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SEAT BELT BOLT WAS STILL IN PLACE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT WISH TO PROVIDE THE VIN NUMBER. *AK

• 07/19/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BOUGHT A TOYOTA SAQUOIA LIMITED 4X4 USED IN 2003. WHEN I TOOKIT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE HER HUSBAND SIAD I SHOULD GET THAT TICKING NOISE CHECKED OUT. I TOLD HIM THAT ALL OF THE SUV'S AT THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE TICKING NOISE. WELL, HE WAS RIGHT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO BE INSPECTED I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A CRACKED MANIFOLD. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL OF THE TOYOTA SUV'S AND TRUCKS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MANIFOLDS. IF THIS IS TRUE, WHY HAVE THEY NOT DONE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? I MANIFOLD IS NOT A CHEAP PART TO REPLACE.

• 07/18/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR OVER A MONTH. TO EXIT MY CAR, I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE CAR USING THE OUTSIDE LATCH. AFTER RECENTLY BEING HELD UP IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF ANOTHER CAR BECOMING ENGULFED IN FLAMES, I REALIZED THAT IN THE EVENT I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT MY CAR QUICKLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS MISDIAGNOSED. THE SECOND AND THRID TIMES I WAS TOLD THEY WERE SENT THE WRONG PART. I AM NOW WAITING FOR A BACK ORDERED PART.