1996 Toyota Avalon Problems & Complaints

WHILE DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT, I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER USING TWO FEET TO SLOW VEHICLE, AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, IT WAS STILL REVVING. AFTER A HALF HOUR, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND BRING IT HOME. VERY SCARY! IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, AND WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SAFETY. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC, AND SINCE IT WAS NOT DOING IT WHILE THEY HAD IT, THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND FIX IT. WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM TO THIS VEHICLE YEAR, AND MOST WERE ON CAMRY'S. WE DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT FLOOR MATS, AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. WE CALLED TOYOTA TO CHECK ON RECALL INFORMATION. SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON OUR VIN#, AND TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, DUE TO THE MILEAGE, BUT THEY DOCUMENTED MY REPORT IN THEIR CORPORATE RECORDS, AND TO TAKE IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT EVALUATED AND REPAIRED, WHICH WOULD NO DOUBT BE AT OUR EXPENSE SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, AND ARE AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR NOW, MUCH LESS DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO A DEALER OUT OF TOWN. *TR

AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER, A/C AMPLIFIER, AIR INLET SERVO MOTOR & SERVO LINK & HEATER CONTROLS STOP WORKING AND ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY BY ITSELF. TOYOTA WILL NOT OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA ONLY WANTS MORE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT TELLING YOU EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE INFERIOR PARTS OF THEIR A/C SYSTEM SINCE 1995. THEY MUST HAVE HIGH PROFILE LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON FOR THE NHTSA TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS FOR SO LONG. SOMEBODY MUST BE GETTING PAID SOME KIND OF WAY FOR THE NHTSA TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM AND LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. THE NHTSA SHOULD MAKE TOYOTA COME CLEAN ABOUT THEIR A/C PROBLEMS AND RECALL ALL AUTOMOBILES WITH A/C PROBLEMS. TOYOTA OWNERS SHOULD AT LEAST BE GIVEN A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE A/C SYSTEM TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG AND TELL US IN WRITING WHAT PARTS THAT ARE AFFECTED, AND (THIS IS A LONG SHOT) REPAIR THE A/C FOR FREE. THANK YOU, FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN DEALING WITH THIS ONGOING A/C PROBLEM. AND I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. *TR

AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE LONGER WE DROVE THE HIGHER THE ENGINE REVVED. I DECIDED TO RETURN TO MY HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES AWAY THEN THE CAR BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE CORNER TO A SIDE STREET UNTIL THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ENTER MY STREET. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO PARK IT AND IT WOULD NOT STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR SO I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. IT REVVED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO SEAT BELT LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,909.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED HIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 226,444. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF AND ON. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON TILL I TURNED THE POWER OFF IN THE CAR AND RE-STARTED THE CAR. MY HUSBAND HAS INSTALLED NEW HEADLIGHTS TWICE BUT THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN GREENVILLE, NC AND THEY TOLD ME I DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I CONTINUE TO ONLY HAVE ONE HEADLIGHT TO DRIVE WITH, THE LEFT OR RIGHT, I USUALLY START OUT WITH BOTH ON AND THEN ONE WILL GO OUT. I AM VERY SCARED ABOUT DRIVING MY CAR AT NIGHT. I CALLED THE TOYOTA 1-800 NUMBER TO ASK FOR ADVICE BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND TO TAKE MY CAR TO A TOYOTA GARAGE. *TR

FILLER PIPE HAS CORRODED, SPILLS FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN FILLING VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PULLING UP TO A CURB, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION, THEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE GO INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED BACKWARDS 50 FEET AND PINNED A PEDESTRIAN UNDER THE VEHICLE DRAGGING HIM APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE PEDESTRIAN DIED FROM HIS INJURES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,047. UPDATED 02/19/10 *BF UPDATED 09/02/10*JB UPDATED 9/27/11*CW

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT HE LOST POWER STEERING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON THE INCIDENT DATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS THERE FOR 14 DAYS. THE AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $984.51. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,290 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,300. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 07/29/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND DROVE HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE SUN ROOF AND SUSTAINED A SEVERE HEAD CONCUSSION. SHE ALSO LOST COMPLETE VISION IN ONE EYE, ACUTE MEMORY LOSS, AND IS UNABLE TO PERFORM CERTAIN FUNCTIONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CANNOT REMEMBER ANY OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION DUE TO HER MEMORY LOSS.

BRITAX MARATHON E9L09DS. CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR FACING LOCK OFF CLIPS DO NOT HOLD. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED THE CLIPS POP OFF WITH OR WITHOUT A SEATBELT INSIDE OF IT. *MC *JB

I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON AND THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE BURNING A LOT OF OIL AND SENDING OFF A LOT OF SMOKE RELATED TO THE SLUDGE PROBLEM KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE PROBLEM KNOWN ONCE MORE. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR AVALONS OF 1997, BUT NOT FOR THIS YEAR.*AK

PURCHASED USED 1996 TOYOTA AVALON IN MARCH 2002 WITH 72,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME I ALSO PURCHASED A 2 YEAR/24000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH UNIVERSAL UNDERWRITERS. ENGINE FAILED IN EARLY DECEMBER 2003 AT 92000 MILES DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP IN OIL PAN. OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. TOYOTA NOT COVERING ENGINE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT IS NOT A 97 MODEL. EXTENDED WARRANTY NOT COVING BECAUSE FAILURE CAUSED BY "FLUID CONTAMINATION". *AK

FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND INVESTIGATION.*AK

1996 TOYOTA AVALON ENGINE FAILURE.

ENGINE: ENGINE SLUDGE BUILDUP HAS RUINED THE ENGINE DESPITE REASONABLE MAINTENENCE. ENGINE MUST NOW BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. ENGINE HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR THE LAST YEAR OR TWO. DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT TOYOTA LETTER DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN MAY OF 1996 AND TOYOTA HAS AN AUGUST OF 1996 MANUFACTUING CUT-OFF DATE. I ALSO OWN A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA WHICH IS BEGINING TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. FROM ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESEARCH AT LEAST PART OF THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE HEAD. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF CARS IN THE LAST TWN YEARS WHICH I HAVE DRIVEN WELL INTO HIGH MILES WITH THE SAME MAINTENECE ATTENTION AS THIS ONE BUT HAVE NOT HAD THE SLUDGE PROBLEM BEFORE. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO PICK UP AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST.

I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON THAT HAS THE OIL SLUDGLE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH CORPORATE OFFICE OF TOYOTA AND THEY CONTACTED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO ASKED FOR RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES AND SAID THEY WILL REVIEW CASE, RECEIPTS WERE PROVIDED AND AFTER BEING REVIEWED THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO HAS TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 5000.00 TO REPAIR WHEN I OWE 5020.00 ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANKS, CHERYL FOLEY

THE ENGINE CUT OUT/STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY WITH NO WARNING. PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED A WHILE, TURNED ENGINE BACK ON AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR FIRST TIME. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATES IT IS OIL SLUDGE DUE TO FAILURE TO CHANGE OIL FREQUENTLY ENOUGH. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 4000 MILES. GETTING NO SATISFACTION FROM DEALER, WHO INDICATES MINIMUM REPAIR COST WILL BE $3300 - $3500 FOR REBUILT ENGINE. MADE COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CORPORATE, WHO ALSO ARE NOT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME. GETTING RUN AROUND AS COMPLAINT WAS FILED, WHICH IS BEING SENT BACK TO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR HANDLING. REGIONAL OFFICE ALREADY INDICATED THAT THEY PROBABLY AREN'T GOING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE 1996 MODEL ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE OIL SLUDGE RECALL ON 1997 - 2002 MODELS. ENGINE HAS JUST OVER 63,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ONE YEAR OLD WITH 29,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY 34,000-35,000 MILES HAS BEEN PUT ON THE CAR IN THE LAST SIX YEARS OF MY OWNERSHIP. I FEEL VERY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, AND PLACED NOT ONLY IN HARMS WAY BY A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, BUT WITH A FINANCIAL BURDEN NOW AS WELL.

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE CAM HEAD BROKE OFF. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE WAS REQUIRED.*AK THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED. WHEN PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE DIED. THE OIL WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CAM HEAD BLEW OFF. CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T HELP SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER NOTED WHEN THE ENGINE GET REPAIRED, SHE WILL SELL THE VEHICLE AND NEVER RECOMMEND IT TO NO ONE ELSE. HER MECHANIC STATED THE CAM HAD NO OIL IN IT, YET THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF OIL. THE OIL PUMP FAILED COSTING THE CONSUMER $6000. DOLLARS. SHE WAS INFORMED SINCE SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE VEHICLE ROUTINELY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP. *PH

DURING THE WINTER SEASON THE DEFROSTER FAILED. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD.*AK

I BOUGHT A USED 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. IT WAS COVERED UNDER 6 YEAR / 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MARCH OF 2002. I NOW HAVE JUST OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT.*AK WHEN PUTTING THE AUTO TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES VIOLENTLY. ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT "BARK" THE TIRES, IT IS QUITE SEVERE. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY GASKET(S) WERE THE LIKELY CAUSE AND THEY HAD MY CAR FROM 9-3-03 TO 9-5-03 REPLACING THEM. THEY SAID THAT A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED DETAILING THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE GASKETS, BUT NO RECALL HAS YET BEEN ISSUED. TOYOTA ENGINEERS CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER VALVE BODY GASKET IN 1997 (TC00197 APR 1997) BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DIRECT CLUTCH PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE DAMAGED DUE TO THE CROSS LEAK FROM THE GASKET. MY QUESTION IS- WHY DID TOYOTA NOT RECALL THESE CARS BECAUSE OF THIS? TWO VALVE BODY GASKETS ARE LESS THAN $30.00 (TOYOTA PRICES). I AM NOT SURE IF THE NEW GASKETS WILL INTERCHANGE DUE TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE VALVE BODY, BORE, ETC. ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED THESE GASKETS AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I DID ORIGINALLY. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS GREAT TO WORK WITH (THEY CHARGED ME NO LABOR BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM). I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I HAVE PUT ROUGHLY 60,000 MILES ON SINCE PAYING OVER $20,000.00 FOR IT (BEFORE TRADE-IN) IN 1999. I CAN'T TRADE OR SELL THIS CAR UNTILL I GET THE TRANSMISSION FIXED ( INSTALL A NEW OR REBUILT UNIT). THE COST OF A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND INSTALLATION WOULD LIKELY BE OVER 30% OF THE CARS CURRENT VALUE.

I OWN A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. MY CAR HAS BEEN PUTTING OUT A WHITE SMOKE DURING COLD START-UPS. I AM ADDING TWO QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK. I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. I EVEN REPLACE SOME SEALS, BELIEVING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS COME TO A-HEAD. MY CAR STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE GOING TO WORK ON JULY 13, 2003. THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER IT STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR AND IT WILL BE MY MECHANIC. I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US IN NOT ONLY FINDING THE PROBLEM BUT FIXING IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY, MICHAEL T. MARCHAND.*AK

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON AND NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER TOYOTA'S CSP PROGRAM ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE ENGINES COVERED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. THIS HAS CAUSED MY FAMILY EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL STRESS. *JB

ENGINE CUT OUT/STALLED IN MIDDLE OF EXPRESSWAY WITH NO WARNING. PULLED TO EMERGENCY LANE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED A WHILE, TURNED ENGINE BACK ON, ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATES IT IS OIL SLUDGE DUE TO FAILURE TO CHANGE OIL. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 4000 MILES. GETTING NO SATISFACTION AT THIS POINT FROM DEALER, WHO INDICATES MINIMUM REPAIR COST WILL BE $3300 - $3500 FOR REBUILT ENGINE. MADE COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CORPORATE, WHO ALSO ARE NOT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE. GETTING RUN AROUND AS COMPLAINT WAS FILED, WHICH THEY ARE SENDING BACK TO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR HANDLING. REGIONAL OFFICE ALREADY INDICATED THAT THEY PROBABLY AREN'T OFFERING ANY ASSISTANCE. ENGINE HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT. BOUGHT IT ONE YEAR OLD WITH 29,000 ON IT. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS CAR TO HAVE ENGINE TROUBLE WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY 35,000 MILES HAVE BEEN PUT ON THE CAR IN LAST 6 YEARS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STICK BY THEIR PRODUCT, AND MAKE REPAIRS THAT ARE REQUIRED. CONSUMERS AT BEING PLACED IN VERY POOR POSITION, AND WE ARE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*JB

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

I OWN A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON WITH 53K MILES ON IT. IT STARTED CONSUMING OIL AND BLOWING SMOKE ON COLD STARTS OVER THE WINTER. I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. BEFORE THEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 15MONTHS AGO SO I ASKED MY TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THEY DID SOME MINOR CHECKS AND TURNED THE LIGHT OFF. CURRENTLY MY CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS "ENGINE INTERNALL DAMAGED NEEDS ENGINE" BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER MIKE AND THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED SLUDGE IN ENGINE THAT CAUSED DIAGNOSED ENGINE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE PERSONELL AS I BECAME AWARE OF THE 1997-2002 TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY TOYOTA UNDER THE "SPA CAMPAIGN" THAT TOYOTA SAID THEY WORKED OUT WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION. I HAVE BEEN OFFERED 50% REPAIR FROM TOYOTA CORPORATE DESPITE BEING ACCUSED OF NEGLECTING MY VEHICLE(I PROVIDED TOYOTA WITH ALL OF MY SCHEDULED MAINTENEANCE AND OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AT WELL WITHIN THEIR RECOMMENDED TIME/MILEAGE INTERVALS. I AM AWARE OF MANY OTHER 1996 TOYOTA AVALON OWNERS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HE SAME PROBLEMS/FALSE ACCUSATIONS AN GRIEF FROM TOYOTA. SOME HAVE RECEIVED FULL PAYMENT FOR THEIR ENGINE REPAIRS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OIL GELLING(SLUDGE) PROBLEMS MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES ARE HAVING. I FEEL THAT MY 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND I ARE AT RISK OF SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH TOYOTAS 6 CYL ENGINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME AND WHY 1996 AVALONS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE "SPA" PROGRAM WHEN IT IS THE SAME ENGINE AND SAME ENGINE PROBLEMS OCCURRING. PLEASE HELP. MONICA AT TOYOTA SAID IT WAS WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION, GUIDANCE AND APPROVAL THAT THE CURRENT "SPA" CAMPAIGN WAS IMPLEMENTED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STAND UP TALL AND SUPPORT THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. IT IS WAY TOO EASY TO BE A "FAIR WEATHER FRIEND" . NOW WE ARE "NEGLECTFUL OWNERS" HMMM.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE HAS BEEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN THE RPM INCREASING WITHOUT ACCELERATION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB

VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT BATTERY HAD FAILED, BUT DASH INDICATOR DID NOT LIGHT UP TO WARN CONSUMER.*AK *YD

REAR BRAKES SQUEALED ONLY WHEN BACKING UP. HAD BRAKE SHOES CLEANED MANY TIMES BY DEALER. ALWAYS THE SAME THING UNTIL REPLACING REAR BRAKES FIXED PROBLEM. NOT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE PASSENGER WAS IN SEAT AND WHEN BENDING OVER TO PICK SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR, SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT, CAUSING NO PROTECTION. *AK PERSON WAS SEATED IN MIDDLE BACK SEAT, TOYOTA REIMBURSED CONSUMER. *SLC

RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. TOYOTA WON'T OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE THIS DEFECT, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL PRIVATELY TELL YOU THAT THEY SEE ALL THE TIME.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND PASSENGER'S REAR SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. THERE WERE NO TREE OR TRAFFIC TRAVELING ON THAT SIDE. CONSUMER WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN# TO FORM. *AK

RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, PARTS ON BACK ORDER. CJ

POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HAD BEEN LEAKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. BUT , THEN DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A TSB ON THAT PROBLEM. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND DEALER KNEW WHAT PROBLEM WAS. DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR PART, BUT CONSUMER FELT DEALER SHOULD ALSO PAY FOR LABOR. *AK

THE STEEL BELTS OF THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES (P205/65R15) SEPARATED CAUSING VIBRATION, CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW SET OF BRIDGESTONE TIRES OF THE SAME MODEL BUT WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THE NEW TIRES EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. NLM

ENGINE HAS SLUDGE.TOYTA DOES NOT WANT TO FIX IT.ENGINE WILL CUT OFF GOING DOWN ROADIT COULD POSSIBLTY CAUSE ACCIDENT.IT IS NOT JUST ONE MODEL OF CAR BUT THE SIX CYLINDER IS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT 20 PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH ENGINE SLUDGE.THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA SAYS OIL NOT CHANGED PROPERLY BUT PEOPLE HAVE RECORDS.PLEASE LOOK AT THE WEBSITE WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM UNDER TOYOTA AND LOOK AT PROBLEMS. THIS IS JUST SOME PEOPLETHAT HAVE FOUND OUT IT AND KNOW ONE PLACE THEY CAN LOG IT.HOW MANY OUT THERE THAT DONT KNOW. I WAS AT TOYOTA DELERSHIP AND WHILE THEY WERE CHECKING MINE ANOTHER CAME IN IT WAS A 98 TOYOTA SINNEA VAN ONLY 38000 MILES TOYTOA TOLD THESE PEOPLE THE SAME THING THING THEY TOLD ME OIL NOT CHANGED AND IT WAS THE WORST THEY EVER SAW.I BELEIVE TOYOTA IS TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING. I HAVE A TOYTOA WITH 237000 MILES ON IT NO PROBLEM WITHIT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. I WAS TOLD BY A TOYOTA TECH. IT WAS POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ENGINE DESIGN .HE SAID THE FRONT HEAD IS FLAT AND THE BACK HEAD IS AT A ANGLE POSSIBLY CAUSING AFLOE PROBLEM. THANKS PAT. *A

BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLE MECHANISMS HAVE FAILED. IF IT WERE ONE IT MAY BE CONSIDERED A FLUKE, BUT SINCE BOTH HAVE FAILED I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS NOT ON BUT IT MAY BE SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE PROBLEM. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT IF THERE IS A FIRE IN THE CAR OR A NEED FOR AN IMMEDIATE EVACUATION OF THE CAR, THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT CANNOT GET OUT.

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WIGGLES AROUND. WAS REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

WHEN THE DEFOGGER IS TURNED ON THE WINDOWS START TO FOG UP, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

RAPID POWER STEERING FLUID LOSS --SEEMS COMMON IN AVALONS. NO PARTS AVAILABLE BECAUSE ON BACK ORDER. *AK

WHEN DEFROSTING, A/C FAILS, HOT AIR COMES OUT OF WINDOW VENTS AND WINDOW FOGS UP MAKING DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE. YH

WHILE BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND CAR JUMPED THE WALL AND HIT A BULIDING. THEN THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWNED, AND CONSUMER PROCEDED TO PARK. CONSUMER FELT THIS CAR COULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE IF THEY WERE CROSSING. *AK

THE SEAT BELT DO NOT ALWAYS RETRACT WHEN RELEASED THUS DAMAGING THE DOOR AND PREVENTING THE LOCKING APPARATUS FROM WORKING PROPERLY. NLM

WIPERS SQUEEK TWICE PER WIPE. LUBED UNDER WARRANTY. QUIET FOR SIX MONTHS. NOW SQUEEK AGAIN. I HAVE TWO 1996 TOYOTA AVALONS. NOW MY SECOND, LOWER MILEAGE, AVALON'S WIPERS SQUEEK. NOISE IS INTERNAL. CAN BE HEARD WITH WIPERS FOLDED UP AWAY FROM GLASS. DEALERS ARE HELPLESS, CARS OFF WARRANTY.

WHEN DRIVING AT CITY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

VEHICLE INSTANTLY FOGS UP FRONT AND SIDE WINDOWS WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING. CAUSING SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION OF VIEW. AIR COND. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE USED IN THE WINTER IN ORDER TO KEEP WINDOWS CLEAR. SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS ON FREEWAY.

BRAKES MAKE LOUD WHISTLE WHEN IN BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACE.

BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. MJS (SB ISSUED 60218,60252).

ENGINE GIVING OFF SMOKE AFTER OIL CHANGE. ENTIRE ENGINE HAS BEEN DISMANTLED AND IS BEING REASSEMBLED. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED AT APPROPRIATE SERVICE INTERVALS. *AK

ON A NORMAL ROUTINE TIRE CHANGE, THE LUGS:NUTS BROKE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS FAILED RESULTING IN BURNING AND SMOKE.

CANNOT FIND DEALER TO INSTALL AIR BAG CUT OFF SWITCH.

TIRES SHOW ABNORMAL WEAR ON OUTSIDE OF THE EDGES CAUSED BY UNDER-INFLATION AND HARD CORNERING.

OWNER NOT NOTIFIED OF TSB TC002-96 AND TC001-97.

BRIDGESTONE FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCE ABNORMAL WEAR.

SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAKE NOISE. QCAW

A/C SHUTS OFF WHEN WATER IS PRESENT ON THE ROAD, DESIGNED THIS WAY TO PREVENT BELT FROM SLIPPING AND BURNING OUT A/C MOTOR, HOWEVER CREATES POOR VISIBILITY WHEN SHUTS OFF, FOGGING WINDSHIELD.

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF, VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE AND IMPACTED A BRICK WALL.

ABNORMAL WEAR OF BRIDGESTONE TIRES. *AK

TOP RACK SEPARATED FROM THE CAR SENDING ITEMS ON TOP INTO TRAFFIC.

FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS SQUEAL DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *AK

BRAKES CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS.

BLINKERS DO NOT WORK ON VEHICLE, AND THAT PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED, BUT HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK.OWNER NOTES VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS. *AK

WINDOW SHATTERED AND BROKE WHILE DRIVING.

LIGHT BULB INDICATOR FAILED.

AM RADIO FAILED.

EMISSION CONTROL VALVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

CANISTER ASSEMBLY AND VACCUMS FAILED.

WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL WHEN IT WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHCLE GOING 45-50 MPH, AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS COLLAPSED TO A RECLINING POSITION. *AK

MAIN BEARINGS HAVE TOO MUCH CLEARANCE.

HIGH FREQUENCY WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DASH WINDSHIELD AREA.

STRUTS FAILED.

REAR TURN SIGNAL BULBS FAILED.

TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH FAILED.

CD PLAYER JAMMED.

SWITCH TO ACTUATE WINDOW.

BRAKES FAILED.

DOOR LOCKS FAILED.

WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY GET FOGGED UP ON THE INSIDE, WHEN CLEANING IT TAKES AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO GET EMOLLIENTS FROM WINDOWS. THE OWNER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE DANGEROUS FOR CONSUMER TO INHALE.

BRAKES ARE NOISY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

BRAKE CALIPER FAILED.

BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DRAGGING.

AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING SPEEDS OF 15 MPH. CONSUMER FEELS AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY IN COLLISIONS UNDER 30MPH.

AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING SPEEDS OF 15 MPH. CONSUMER FEELS AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY IN COLLISIONS UNDER 30MPH.

SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED.

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED.

SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT; STARTED TO TURN VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED SUDDENLY & HIT POST IN FRONT OF STORE; BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

BOLT JOINT FAILED.

THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN, AND HAS TO PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL UP TO 4 MINUTES FOR THE IGNITION TO TURN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 50-70MPH, VEHICLE HAS TENDENCY TO HYDROPLANE ALL OVER ROAD ON WET PAVEMENT, REPLACED MICHELIN TIRES AND HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR SINCE THEN. *AK

STEERING SYSTEM IS TOO SENSITIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE ON WINDY DAYS. *AK

SIGNAL LIGHTS INOPERATIVE.

HAZARD LIGHTS INOPERATIVE.

RADIO INOPERATIVE.

BACK UP LIGHTS INOPERATIVE.

BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED.

SMOG PARTS FAILED.

FRONT WINDOW HAS AN AIR LEAK, CAUSING NOISE.

POWER STEERING BELT FAILED.

STEERING SYSTEM IS TOO SENSITIVE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE DURING WINDY CONDITIONS.

RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNALS FAILED, OCCURRED AT LOWER TEMPERATURES AND WHEN CAR HAD BEEN LEFT STANDING PARKED MORE THAN AN HOUR AT A TIME.

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

THE REMOTE CONTROL MECHANISM IS VERY SENSITIVE AND OPENED THE TRUCK INADVERTENTLY. *AK *JB

HEADLIGHTS ARE POORLY ADJUSTED, THEY COME ON TOO LATE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON SMOTTH, WELL TRAVELED, PAVED ROAD RIGHT REAR DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED WITH PIECES ACROSS BACK SEAT AND IN THE STREET. *AK

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, DRIVER HEARD LOUD NOISE, VEHICLE TOTALLY SHUT DOWN. *AK

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK DESIGN REQUIRES OPERATOR TO UNLOCK DOOR BEFORE PULLING HANDLE, WHICH COULD BE DIFFICULT TO DO IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS.

CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM A STOPPED POSITION. *DH

BRAKES FAILED. *SD

TRUNK RELEASE MALFUNCTIONED. *SD

EXTENSIVE WIND NOISE INSIDE VEHICLE. *SD

DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONTAL COLLISION; REARENDED ANOTHER VAN AT STANDSTILL; SPEED UNKNOWN. *AK

THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. TT

THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. TT