Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
195 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota Avalon. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
Tie rods detached from frame, along with steering parts became unsafe on minor highway speed turnes
All plastic parts are disintegrating, seer belts, door locks, door handles, AC vents , body trim, steering wheel, lights, & anything made of plastic
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC AT THE LIGHT, ALTERNATOR WAS TESTED. BATTERY LIGHT STAY ON, LIGHTS DIMMED OUT, LOST SPEED. HAD TO GET PUSHED OUT THE ROAD AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN ATLANTA GEORGIA ON CLEVELAND AVENUE.. BOUGHT A SECOND ALTERNATOR, SAME EXACT INCIDENT . ONCE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AT NIGHT, CAR LOOSES TOTAL POWER. I HAD TO DRIVE FIVE BLOCKS AT NIGHT WITHOUT LIGHTS ON RALPH DAVID ABERNATHY BLVD, ATLANTA GEORGIA, EVEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS DRAINED A BRAND NEW BATTERY PURCHASED 12/02/2018.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH TWO RED LIGHTS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, ESTABLISHED A CASE NUMBER, AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO CENTRAL FLORIDA TOYOTA (11020 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837, (407) 641-0600). THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REMEDY OTHER THAN THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONTACT NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE. *TT
ONE DAY WHEN MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND AFTER IT HAD SET FOR A FEW DAYS I STARTED IT NORMALLY AND NOTICED THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH CAME ON. THIS IS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH NOW AND A LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE CODE READING INDICATES THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THEY SAID IT MIGHT NOT DEPLOY AS ITS SUPPOSED TO DURING AN ACCIDENT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOVLED SOON. AIRBAGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND LIFE SAVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V278000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.....UPDATED 02/06/17 *BF CONSUMER STATED HAS NO DEFROSTER FOR THE FRONT WINDOW. UPDATED 7/2/18*JB *TR
WHEEL LOCKED THEN THE CAR WILL NOT START, ALARM SYSTEM LIGHT WON'T BLINK AND I'M HEARING A WINEING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START UP, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION NOR WOULD THE VEHICLE START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO ALSO REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND PROVIDED A NEW KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THE LIGHTING WENT BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.
THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FILLS WITH GASOLINE/FUEL FUMES EVERY TIME THE GAS INDICATOR REACHES 1/4 OF A TANK. TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR HOWEVER THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS, I HAD A COMPLETE TIRE BLOW OUT. WHEN PULLED OVER THE RESULTING TIRE WAS TORN TO SHREDS. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AGO WITH ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY MAINTAINED (ROTATED AND ALIGNED). THERE WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TREAD STILL REMAINING ON TIRE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALL FOR ROAD ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE COMPLETE DISINTEGRATION OF THE TIRE, MY RIM WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE I REGULARLY MAINTAIN MY CAR INCLUDING THE TIRES, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED UNLESS FOR A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION. WHEN THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED SUDDENLY AND INDEPENDENTLY INCREASED UP TO 45 MPH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE CURB AND FLIP OVER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN ARM AND A SHOULDER AND HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS INJURIES TO HER KNEES. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS NOT OPEN ON LATE MODEL TOYOTAS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
1998 TOYOTA AVALON STUCK GAS PEDAL *GR THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND DOWN A SLIGHT DECLINE AND HIT A TREE ABOUT 40 TO 50 FEET FROM THE STREET CURB. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. *JB
ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 19, 2005. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT ASIDE OF A SHOE SHOP AND APPLIED MY BRAKE TO STOP. THE 1998 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH I WAS DRIVING REFUSED TO STOP AND CONTINUED ON INTO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING AT MAYBE 30 MPH. I WAS SURE THAT I HAD APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WAS SO DISTRAUGHT THAT I ASSUMED THAT MY FOOT SLID OFF THE BRAKE ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. AS I THINK BACK I AM SURE THAT I WAS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. IF I WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR I WOULD HAVE HAD A JOLT FORWARD WITH EXTREME ACCELERATION. IT WAS LIKE I WAS IN A SLOW MOTION DREAM WORLD AND THE AVALON WAS UNDER ITS OWN CONTROL. I REPORTED IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS BEING MY FAULT SINCE I HAD NO OTHER REASONABLE EXPLANATION. I AM NOW SURE THAT THE AVALON WAS UNDER ITS OWN CONTROL AND NOT MINE. UPDATED 03/24/10
MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON FROM A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL. MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND DROVE THE CAR HOME BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT DRIVE THE STANDARD VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER USED TO GET THE AVALON. MY DAUGHTER FOLLOWED IN THE VEHICLE THAT HAD STANDARD SHIFT. SUDDENLY, THE AVALON BEGAN ACCELERATING TO A SPEED OF OVER 90 MPH WHILE ON A SECONDARY ROAD. MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. MY DAUGHTER CALLED HER FRIEND ON HER CELL PHONE TO ASK HER WHY SHE WAS DRIVING SO FAST. HER FRIEND WAS HYSTERICAL AND SAID THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. MY DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. JUST BEFORE A SHARP CURVE WHERE SHE WAS SURE SHE WOULD BE KILLED, THE CAR STOPPED. HER FRIEND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND COLLAPSED ON THE GROUND. THE POLICE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND ASSURED WITNESSES THAT SHE JUST HAD A LITTLE SCARE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE IN SAYRE, PENNSYLVANIA. RELUCTANT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS HAPPENED AS DESCRIBED, THE MECHANIC DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR FOR A DRIVE HIMSELF. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM, HOWEVER HE USED SOME METHOD TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. HE TOLD US THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE THROTTLE. WE CONTACTED ARE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM; WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING WITH A TOYOTA. IN JANUARY 2009, I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MY DAUGHTER, WHO NOW RESIDES IN TENNESSEE. SUDDENLY SHE YELLED, "MY GOD!" AFTER A SHORT SILENCE THAT SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY, SHE SAID SHE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE MOTOR STARTED REVVING LOUDLY. THE CAR THEN LURCHED FORWARD. BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER, SHE PUT THE CAR IN PARK WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SHUTTING THE IGNITION OFF. SHE TOLD ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OTHER TIMES RECENTLY. WE CALLED OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AGAIN TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE OR REVERSE AT A LOW SPEED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DAY HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27000. UPDATED 03/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS HESITATION FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. UPDATED 09/27/10
THE POWER STEERING ON MY TOYOTA AVALON KEEPS GETTING DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE MAINTENANCE GARAGE HAS FIXED IT ONCE INDICATING IT WAS A "STEERING SHAFT LUBRICATION PROBLEM". NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. STEERING IS HARD TO TURN THEN SOMETIMES JUMPS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING "KICKS-IN". *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE IDENTICAL FAILURES OCCURRED ON EIGHTEEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE THROTTLE AND ACCELERATOR LINKS WERE CLEANED. THE FAILURES CONTINUED WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/15/10 *BF UPDATED 04/29/10.*JB
WHILE ACCELERATING MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, CAR'S ACCELERATOR STUCK "TO THE FLOOR", CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO 80MPH UNTIL THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PHYSICALLY LIFT THE PEDAL WITH THE SIDE OF HER FOOT. BROUGHT CAR TO REPAIR CENTER WHERE NO CAUSE WAS FOUND. PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE INITIAL INCIDENT.*CW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15 TO 30 MPH SHE CRASHED INTO A CURB. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE AWAY FROM THE CURB THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ATTEMPT TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND LANDED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. SHE BROKE HER LEFT ARM AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOW YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY RENDERED THE VEHICLE AS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE POLICE REPORT INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
RAPID ACCELERATION WHEN PUT IN REVERSE.WENT OUT OF GARAGE AT UNCONTROLLABLE SPEED. OVER RODE BRAKES. I WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING CARS AND HOUSES. STOPPED ACROSS STREET IN NEIGHBOR,S YARD. I HEARD A LOUD WHEN IT STOPPED. I APPARENTLY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF,BECAUSE IT DID,T HIT ANYTHING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WHILE IN REVERSE OR MOVING FORWARD A LOUD METAL NOISE IS PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE AND THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE BAFFLE WAS LOOSE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK AND THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,950 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,920.
RETAINING HOOK ON DRIVER SIDE FLOORMAT HAS BROKEN OFF CAUSING FLOORMAT TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS BRAKE AND GAS PETALS. FOOT GETS CAUGHT ON MAT AND BLOCKS PETALS. HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR AS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE AREA UNDER RUG TO SECURE HOOK. *TR
FRONT SEAT POWER MOTOR/SWITCH FAILURE - WENT TO ADJUST SEAT AND IT WENT FORWARD AND WOULD NOT STOP AND I HAD AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME EXITING VEHICLE. I AM A WOMAN AND WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE SMALLER THAN ME DRIVE MY VEHICLE. ALSO UNABLE TO GO TO WORK. SEAT MOTOR SHOULD NOT FAIL - THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH SAFETY HAZARD. HAVE TO TAKE TO TORRANCE TOYOTA WHERE PURCHASED VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. LOST DAY'S WORK AT THE COURT OF APPEAL ON SPRING STREET IN LOS ANGELES. *TR
I'VE NOTICED MY TIRES THIS MORNING ARE STARTING TO TEAR I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 5 TO 7000 MILES ON THEM I HARDLY USE THE CAR,HOWEVER I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE,I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOW I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS TAKEN CARE OF, NANKANG SPORT NS-1 215-45-17. *TR
UPON TRYING TO START MY CAR, MY KEY WOULDN'T TURN. I THOUGHT IT COULD BE A WARN OUT KEY, SO I TRIED MY SECOND MASTER KEY AND WHEN IT WOULDN'T TURN EITHER I TRIED MY SUB KEY WHICH FAILED JUST AS WELL. I KEPT TRYING WITH MY TWO MASTER KEYS, TAKING THEM OUT AND PUTTING THEM BACK IN REPEATEDLY. UNTIL FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES MY IGNITION TURNED OVER. MY CAR STARTED AT TIMES EASY AND KIND OF EASY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS FOLLOWING THAT. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO ACT UP AGAIN SOMETIMES NOT TURNING OVER AT ALL AND LEAVING ME STRANDED OR MISSING WORK. THIS NOW OCCURS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRY TO START MY CAR. GOD FORBID SOME ONE FOLLOWS ME TO MY CAR I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET AWAY. I'VE CONTACTED NUMEROUS REPAIR COMPANIES, MECHANICS, SAVAGE YARDS, AND PARTS STORES WHO HAVE ALL POINTED ME IN THE DIRECTION OF THE DEALER OF THE MAKE/MODEL BECAUSE OF THE DEFERMENT/IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER I'VE LEARNED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, IT WILL COST ME A PRETTY PENNY. NEW PARTS WILL HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON, WHICH IS EXPERIENCING CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA 98E035000. SPECIFICALLY, HVAC FAN WORKS SPORADICALLY. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO CHECK WIRING HARNESS FOR RECALL ELIGIBILITY, AS CALLED FOR IN NHTSA: 98E035000. DEALERSHIPS WILL ONLY RUN VIN THOUGH DATABASE, INSTEAD OF CHECKING MANUFACTURE DATE OF WIRING HARNESS. *TR
1998 TOYOTA AVALON - WITHOUT WARNING, THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER & FANS QUIT WORKING. THIS IS INTERMITTENT. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO GO OUT. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF WE ARE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER, DURING A COLD SPELL AND THE DEFROSTER SUDDENLY GOES OFF. SEARCHING THE INTERNET THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.....AND WHAT IS TROUBLING IS THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF IT AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BUT EVEN THAT YOU HAVE TO PULL TEETH TO GET A COPY. IN FACT TO GET THEM TO TELL ME THERE WAS AN ISSUE I HAD TO TELL THEM THE TSA NUMBER I HAD FOUND. THEY ORIGINALLY TOLD ME THEY HAD NO INFORMATION. THEY ARE NOT MAKING THIS KNOWN TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
TOYOTA AVALON 1998 STALLING WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOYOTA AVALON 1998 STALLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. JANUARY 29, 2007 NEARLY INVOLVED IN A BROAD-SIDE ACCIDENT WHEN CAR STALLED BEGINNING TO ENTER ROADWAY, ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAD TO SWERVE AROUND NARROWING AVOIDING A COLLISION. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH AVALONS AND CAMRYS THAT IS WELL-DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET. DEALERSHIP REPLACED AIR FUEL SENSOR ON JANUARY 19, 2007, CAR STALLED AGAIN THE VERY NEXT DAY ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR IS NOW BACK IN THE SHOP AS OF JANUARY 31, 2007, WITH DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INCIDENTS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT SEEM TO BE ESCALATING. UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AS IT WILL CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR WITHOUT WARNING. CAR HAS LESS THAN 40,00 MILES ON IT. *NM
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1998 TOYOTA AVALON AT 45 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON, AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE.*AK
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS NOT DRIVING HIS VEHICLE WHEN HE FOUND A BEARING NUT LAYING IN THE BACK SEAT OF HIS VEHICLE WHICH CAME FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. DUE TO THE MISSING BEARING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS NOT POSITIONED PROPERLY ON THE TRACK AND HE COULD HEAR METAL GRINDING UNDER THE SEAT. *NM
THE FRONT SUSPENSION RATTLES REALLY LOUD WHEN GOING OVER SMALL WASHBOARD TYPE BUMPS OR ANY DISTURBANCES IN THE ROAD. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY STRUT MOUNT. *JB
ON A 98 TOYOTA AVALON XLS: THE A/C AND HEATING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY OCCASIONALLY. THE FRONT AND REAR DEFOGGERS FAIL ALSO. WHEN THE SHUT DOWN OCCURS, THE AIR VENTS EMIT VERY HOT AIR, EVEN THOUGH THE THERMOSTAT IS SET FOR A/C. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT STARTED RAINING AND THE DEFOGGERS FAILED TO OPERATE. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL WIRING DEFECT FOR WHICH I HAVE APPEALED TO TOYOTA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY,BUT WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS
THE AC CUTS OUT INTERMITTENTLY; SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING A WHILE. IN ADDITION TO CAUSING DISCOMFORT, THIS ALSO IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WILL NOT DEFOG. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM (AC00599) BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. THE REPAIR COST ME OVER $1,000. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINT FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND I FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY EXPENSES. THE DEALER TOLD ME TOYOTA WOULD NOT, HOWEVER.
SEVERE RUSTING ON REAR BRAKE ROTORS ON A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON EFFECTIVELY REDUCING THE BRAKING POWER OF THE CAR. JOHN SUMMERS A DISTRICT PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER REPRESENTATIVE OF TOYOTA STATED THAT BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS IS REDUCED, HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL. HE ENCOURGED ME TO FILE THIS REPORT WITH YOUR OFFICE
THE ENTIRE HVAC SYSTEM OF THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. BLOWER, HEATER, DEFROSTER, A/C ARE ALL INOPERATIVE. CANNOT BE ACTIVATED MANUALLY. WINDSHIED QUICKLY FOGS. HOURS OR DAYS LATER, OPERATION RETURNS TO NORMAL. PROBLEM RECURS WITHOUT PATTERN.*AK
INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. NO AIR CONDITIONING, HEATER OR FAN OPERATION. COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF SYSTEM. WILL SOMETIMES WORK AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS BECOMES VERY SERIOUS BECAUSE FRONT WINDSHIELD WILL NOT DEFOG. TOYOTA RELEASED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON DEC. 3, 1999. BULLETIN AC005-99 THEY KNEW THAT THE SYSTEM HAD A FLAW SO THEY REDESIGNED AND UPDATED THE (ECU) A/C AMPLIFIER. ITS THE BRAIN FOR THE COMPLETE HEATING AND A/C SYSTEM. I PLEAD MY CASE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CALLED TOYOTA AND TOYOTA REFUSED MY REQUEST TO HAVE THE PARTS AND LABOR COVERED BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN. *NM
THUNKING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT FROM AREA OF FRONT WHEEL ON PASSENGERS SIDE DETERMINED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE A STRUT MOUNT, WHICH APPARENTLY IS A PROBLEM KNOWN BY TOYOTA. CAR HAS ONLY 55,000 MILES ON IT.*AK
THE HYDRAULIC UNIT THAT HOLDS UP THE HOOD MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SMASH HIS HAND DUE TO HYDRAULIC UNIT'S FAILURE TO HOLD UP THE HOOD. *AK *TC
THE HORN WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY REPAIRED IT ONCE IN JUNE 2003, NOW THE HORN IS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE HORN WASNEVER REPAIRED, IT DOESNOT RESPOND AT NORMAL SPEED.
AIR CONDITIONER HEATER BLOWER, FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED WITH A WALL. WHILE AGAINST THE WALL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TO SURGE UNTIL THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE COLLISION. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SLIGHT KNEE INJURIES.*AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,500 MARK. OOK CAR INTO DEALER AND THOUGHT IT WAS NOISY BRAKES. ROVE ABOUT 100 MORE MILES AND SOMETHING BROKE. THE TRANSMISSION ALMOST SEIZED, COULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK
I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA AVALON WITH 54,000 MILES OF USAGE. THE TWO FRONT HEAD LAMP LENS HAVE BECOME CLOUDY AND YELLOWED. I FEEL CERTAIN THAT THIS DIMINISHES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONT LIGHTS. THE ADJOINING (SIDE) LENSES ARE STILL PERFECT AND CLEAR. I'VE NOTIFIED TOYOTA BUT THEY ARE NOT ASSUMING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *LA
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. *AK *NM
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER PROPERLY. *AK *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. ALSO, A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED EARLY IN THE MORNING. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE EIGHT TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE TRAVELLING CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OIL AND COOLANT MIXED IN TOGETHER.*AK
INSIDE FAN SPEED TURNS OFF RANDOMLY WITH SECURITY LIGHT AND AC CONTROLS , OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE READING. *LA
1998 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CLIMATE CONTROL RANDOMLY QUITS WORKING. NO HEAT,NO AIR, NO DEFROST NO BLOWER. CAUSES A DANGROUS SITUATION IS YOU NEED THE DEFROSTER AND IT DOESN'T WORK
AN ALLDATA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED 12/03/1999: "A/C - ATC SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS/BECOMES INOPERATIVE. AUTO A/C SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT. INTRODUCTION: A PRODUCTION CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE 1998-1999 AVALON A/C AMPLIFIER. THE INTERNAL LOCIC HAS BEEN CORRECTED TO ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE AIR INLET SERVO MOTOR TRAVEL, WHICH MAY EFFECT THE MOTOR AND/OR THE SERVO LINK. VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC A/C MAY INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1)THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DISPLAY MAY GO BLANK; 2)FRESH/RECIRC INDICATOR LIGHT INOPERATIVE; 3)MODE INDICATOR LIGHT INOPERATIVE; 4)BLOWER INDICATIOR INOPERATIVE. NOTE: A/C SYSTEM MAY RESTORE TO NORMAL CONDITION UPON CYCLING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALL APPLICABLE VEHICLES: ALL 1998 MODEL YEAR AVALON XLS PRODUCED BEFORE VIN:4T1BF18B*WU273780." I FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN SUMMER OF 2003. A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY ISOLATED THE PROBLEM AND ALLDATA BULLETIN WITH THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NOTIFIED TOYOTA CORPORATE, WHO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND UNWILLING TO COVER THE COSTS TO CORRECT: $800 PER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC & $1,000 PER LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. DURING THE SUMMER, THE ATC FAILURES CREATED POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AS WINDOWS QUICKLY FOGGED AND VISIBILITY DROPPED TO ZERO. CURRENTLY, THE ATC SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND HAS NOT RESTORED BY ALLOWING THE CAR TO SIT AND CYCLING THE IGNITION SWITCH, CREATING INABILITY TO DE-ICE AND DE-FOG THE CAR WINDOWS. ALL EVIDENCE INDICATES: 1)PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY INCORRECT INTERNAL LOGIC OF THE A/C AMPLIFIER, NOT NORMAL USE/WEAR OF THE VEHICLE; 2)TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS UNWILLING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE; 3)THE PROBLEM QUICKLY AND UNPREDICABLY HAS CREATED DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR THIS AND OTHERS DRIVERS, AS INDICATED BY THEIR NHTSA COMPLAINTS. PLEASE INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL, HOLDING TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE NATURE AND FAILURE OF THIS PRODUCT. *AK
AT 49,000 MILES, THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED. BOTH THE COMPRESSOR AND THE CONDENSOR HAVE LEAKS AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO OFFER ANY GOODWILL ASSISTANCE FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH COSTS IN EXCESS OF $ 1200.00 SIMPLY CLAIMING "ITS OUT OF WARRANTY." ALL THIS IS A "LUXURY, FLAGSHIP" VEHICLE. DON'T BUY THIS CAR! TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE STINKS!! THEY ARE ALOT OF TALK ABOUT REPUTATION BUT THEY FAIL TO LIVE UP TO THEIR PROMISES!! I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS CAR! ADDITIONALLY, MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEVERAL AVALONS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WHICH HE WILL BE REPAIRING. TOYOTA FAILS TO ACCEPT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THEIR AIR CONDITIONING PARTS!*AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THREE TIMES WHEN ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CEMENT AND SCRAPPED THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS A VERY DANGEROUS UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE. *CB *JB
GOODYEAR, REGATTA II, SIZE P205/65R15, DOT UNKNOWN. SIDEWALLS ARE LEAKING AND ARE DEVELOPING BUBBLES INSIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
GOODYEAR PUT THE WRONG RATED TIRE ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO LEAK FROM THE SIDEWALL. *AK
SLUDGE IN ENGINE CAUSING SMOKE TO COME FROM BACK OF CAR. *PH
A/C CLIMATE CONTROL SHUTS ITSELF OFF AUTOMATICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD USAGE. THE OUTSIDE TEMP.INDICATOR,FAN SPEED,VENTILATION DIRECTION, AND OUTSIDE AIR RECIRCULATION CONTROLS ALL GO OUT. ALMOST GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE WINDSHIELD A/C DEFROST DID NOT WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. STILL UNDER THE MILAGE WARRANTY(>36000), AND WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS QUOATED $900 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. WILL CONTACT TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE NEXT. *AK
A/C CLIMATE CONTROL SHUTS ITSELF OFF AUTOMATICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD USAGE. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATUR EINDICATOR,FAN SPEED,VENTILATION DIRECTION, AND OUTSIDE AIR RECIRCULATION CONTROLS ALL GO OUT. ALMOST GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE WINDSHIELD A/C DEFROST DID NOT WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. STILL UNDER THE MILAGE WARRANTY(>36000), AND WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS QUOATED $900 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. WILL CONTACT TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE NEXT. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL APART WHILE OPENING THE DOOR WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING USED.*AK
LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. WAS INFORMED BY TOYOTA THAT FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. THEY KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT ARE UNWILLING TO HELP.*AK
THE ENTIRE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE SYSTEM FAN REMAINED OFF NO MATTER WHAT SETTINGS I CHOSE. AFTER NOT RUNNING THE CAR FOR A WHILE, THE SYSTEM WOULD WORK AGAIN, ONLY THEN TO SHUT ITSELF OFF WITHIN A TIME PERIOD OF SECONDS TO AS MUCH AS A WHOLE DAY. I HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED BY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, WHO CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $1500. THOUGH THE COST OF REPAIR WAS VERY HIGH, I DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, SINCE I COULD NOT USE THE CAR IN THAT UNSAFE AND UNSATISFACTORY CONDITION. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA LIMITED ANY FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THAT REPAIR TO 36,000 MILES OR LESS. MY CAR HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT, SO NO SUPPORT WAS GIVEN. *NLM
VEHICLE'S KEY GETS INTERMITTENTLY STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN. RELATED RECALL 98E035000, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED, I TRIED TO STOP, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. I HIT A POLE AND TWO OTHER CARS, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE CAR NEXT TO ME. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
THE HEAT DEFROSTER BLOWER HAD CUT COMPLETELY OFF AND DID NOT TURN BACK ON. SCC
PREMATURE FAILURE OF LEFT FRONT STRUT AT 63000 MILES ALONG WITH BOTH STRUT SUPPORTS.
CONSUMER STATED THE ROTORS WERE WORN, WHICH CAUSED A HEAVY VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING.*JB
WHILE MY USUAL MECHANIC WAS PERFORMING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 64,500 MILES, HE DISCOVERED A LARGE, BENT BOLT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PAN WHICH WAS NOT THERE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS LAST SERVICED AT 39,000 MILES. HE DID NOT NOTE ANY METAL SHAVINGS, ETC. AND THE CAR RUNS FINE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE BOLT CAME FROM. HOWEVER, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS CONCERN AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TOYOTA HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT AND WHETHER IT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM OR FAILURE.
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED CONSUMER NOTICE A LOUD NOISE FLOWING WITH GLASS IN REAR SEAT OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
COMPLETE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE AT 16,800 MILES, CAUSED CAR TO GO THROUGH RED LIGHT. LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID. ROTOR FROZE AND BRAKE LINE FAILED AT ROTOR HOUSING. CAR DEALER HAD INSTALLED ALL NEW ROTORS AND PADS AT 9,200 MILES. MR
IN AUGUST OF 2001, THE REAR INSIDE LEFT DOOR HANDLE CEASED TO WORK. IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CHILD'S SAFETY LATCH. THE MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR BROKE. NOW, IN 2002, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DOOR HANDLE MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME QUIT WORKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE MORE THAN JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT FIRST THE LEFT SIDE BROKE AND NOW THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS FAILURE COULD PREVENT PEOPLE FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE SAFELY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. MR
A FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAUSED THE LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RESERVOIR DOES NOT HAVE A SEPARATION THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ALL THE BRAKE FLUID FROM BEING LOST. MOST MASTER CYLINDERS HAVE A PARTITION IN THEM, SO AT LEAST THE FRONT OR BACK BRAKES WOULD STILL BE FUNCTIONAL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR FUNCTION THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD. AS IT WAS I HAD JUST PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WAS UNLOADING PASSENGERS WHEN THE BRAKE LINE FAILED. NLM
HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY EVEN AFTER THE DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.AK
THE AIR-CONDITIONING FANS GO OUT AT RANDOM, WHICH MEANS THAT DE-FOGGING/DE-FROSTING ARE IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WELL-KNOWN TO TOYOTA AND THEY QUOTE $850-1000 TO REPAIR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA IS NOT MADE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.*AK
STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP GOES OTHER DIRECTION. (NO CONTROL) OF STEERING COLUMN. REPLACED PART BUT ALSO DEFECTIVE. DON'T UNDERSAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING?*AK
PROBLEM WITH VENTILATION SYSTEM--BURNTOUT WIRES IN THE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE CAUSED TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE VENTILATION SYSTEM
THE ENGINE CONTAINED SLUDGE AND WAS CLOGGED, CONSUMER STATED THAT HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER IN AN ATTEMPT TO THE REPAIR PROBLEM AND OBTAIN FULL REIMBURSEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER FOR ALL COSTS INCLUDING POSSIBLE AUTO RENTAL EXPENSES WHILE REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE. *YH
THE ENGINE CONTAINED SLUDGE AND WAS CLOGGED, CONSUMER STATED THAT HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER IN AN ATTEMPT TO THE REPAIR PROBLEM AND OBTAIN FULL REIMBURSEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER FOR ALL COSTS INCLUDING POSSIBLE AUTO RENTAL EXPENSES WHILE REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE. *YH
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
THE ENTIRE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM (HEATING & AC) CUTS OUT ARBITRARILY. IT RESTARTS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IDLE FOR SOME TIME. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL PROBLEMS AS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WILL NOT DEFOG AND VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD IS IMPAIRED. THIS COMPROMISES MY VISION AND HAS PUT ME IN DANGER SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN CONTACTED DEALER, THEY MENTIONED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THAT THE REPAIR WILL COST ~$1,000. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD.*AK
REAR SPRINGS/STRUTS ARE SO WEAK THAT IF I HAVE TWO PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT, OR SEVERAL SUITCASES IN THE TRUNK, THE REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT. THIS CAUSES A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WIGGLE WHEN IT COMES BACK UP. MY NEW TIRES ARE STARTING TO FLAT SPOT AS DID MY LAST SET. I BROUGHT THIS TO COURTESY TOYOTA WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRENTEE. THEY CLAIMED NO PROBLEM AND READJUSTED MY HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE CONTACED CAPITOL TOYOTA IN CHATANOOGA, TN. A COUPLE OF TIMES. THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BUT COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS SOMETHING WAS WORN OR DAMAGED. I CALLED TOYOTA. THEY SAID THE SAME. BUT TOOK MY NAME AND SAID THAT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED THEY MIGHT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *AK
THERE WAS A LOUDER THEN USUAL THUMP IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. TO VEHICLE TO DEALER REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC NOTED THAT FRONT STRUT WAS BREAKING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT, BUT WA SNOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROADS WITH PASSENGERS IN REAR SEAT, THE REAR SUSPENSION REPEATEDLY "BOTTOMS OUT" CAUSING UNPREDICTABLE VEHICULAR MOVEMENTS AND LOUD NOISE. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WITH VEHICLE LOADED NEAR DESIGN LOAD LIMITS.*AK
FRONT SUSPENSION CREAKED AND GROANED. THE UPPER STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER (BOTH SIDES) AT 3000 AND AGAIN AT 32000 MILES.
VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO "TIRE STEER". TWO OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (BRIDGESTONE) WERE REPLACED AT 3000 MILES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE ENTIRE SET OF TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. ROTATING THE TIRES BECOMES PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE THE WRONG SWITCH EXACERBARTES THE PROBLEM. THE RESULTING "PULL" INDIACTES THE NEED FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHEN THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM, OR OBSCURES THE NEED AT OTHER TIMES. THE NEED TO FIGHT THE WHEEL CAUSES DRIVER FATIGUE AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK
AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FAILS TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE TEMPERATURE. TEMPERATURE SWINGS +/- 5 DEGREES. FREQUENT DRIVER ACTION REQUIRED TO ADJUST/MODERATE TEMPERATURE. SELLING DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALTERNATE TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SOLD TO ME BY THE SELLING DEALER (APPROXIMATELY $1000 OF REPAIRS REQUIRED).
WEATHERSTRIPPING GASKET ON LEFT FRONT (DRIVER) DOOR FAILED CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK
THE PADDED COVERING ON THE DASH BOARD BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE METAL SUPPORT. IT APPEARS THAT THE ADHESIVE HAS FAILED.
TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE STRAPS INSTALLED, AND DEALER REFUSED TO INSTALL THEM. THAT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NO, SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH CONSUMERS VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANTOHER VEHICLE, FULL FRONTAL CRASH, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, DEALERSHIP AND USAA INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO MAKE ANY DETERMINATIONS. *NOTE: PASSENGER SUSTAINED FOLLOWING INJURIES: BROKEN TOE/ STRAINED TOE, AND BRUISING FROM RESTRAINT BELTS. *AK *YD
MY FRONT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT. IT POPPED OUT AS FLAT AS COULD BE! I HIT MY HEAD ON THE SIDE WINDOW BECAUSE OF THIS. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED, MY HEAD INJURY COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS. *AK
BRAKE PEDAL DRIFTS TOWARD FLOOR AT RED LIGHT. *AK
THE AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER AND THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE FAILED. THERE BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A TSB WHICH ESSENTIALLY ADMITS THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SERVO INSTALLED IN THIS CAR BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT PAY FOR A REPAIR OF A PROBLEM THAT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF THEIR POOR QUALITY CONTROL. THEY HAVE QUOTED THIS REPAIR TO BE AT ABOUT ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM.
THIS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS A SERIOUS HARZARD. WHEN THE ELECTRONIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILS, THE DEFROSTER ALSO FAILS. THE LOSS OF DEFROSTER HAS PUT ME IN JEOPARDY MANY TIMES DURING POOR WEATHER. BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE WILL OCCUR, AND ONLY OWN ONE CAR, I CAN'T CHOOSE NOT TO DRIVE WHEN THE POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS OCCUR.
WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE DROPPED OVER AN EMBANKMENT ROLLED OVER ONCE AND CAME TO REST UP RIGHT, POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE(KENTUCKY UNIFORM POLICE TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORT). NLM
SEAL WAS MISSING AROUND THE TRUNKS KEY SLOT, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE TRUCK. NLM
WAS TOLD THAT BURNING OIL AND SMOKING WAS DUE TO SLUDGE IN VALVE COVER, INDICATED THAT I HAD NOT HAD OIL CHANGES, AND I HAVE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. I KEPT NO RECEIPTS OF PURCHASES OF OIL FILTERS AND OIL. MAY NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
THE COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF THE ENTIRE AIR CIRCULATING SYSTEM INCLUDING FRONT DEFROST/DEFOG, HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING IS DOCUMENTED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN TO TOYOTA DEALERS FROM TOYOTA, YET TOYOTA REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF IT IS PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD. EVEN THOUGH IT CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION IN NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFOG OR DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD.*AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION AT 40MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
THIS CAR WAS HIT IN THE CENTER FRONT BY A CAR TRAVELING 45 OR GREATER, ALL AIRBAGS FAILED!!!!!. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY AIR CONDITIONER WOULD GO DEAD, AND DASHBOARD TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLASH ON /OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
PURCHASED USED 1998 IN 1999-WHILE DRIVING CAR TURNS OFF AND STEERING WHEELS BECOME TOO HARD TO STEER. SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 WHEN THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY SYMPTONS. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER MANY TIMES THEY SAY THEY FIXED IT YET IT KEEPS REOCCURING. COULD KILL OR HAVE MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD, I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED BECAUSE I'M A REALTOR AND I HAVE CLIENTS IN MY CAR ALL THE TIME. *AK
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL IT HAS HARD RESISTANCE UNTIL WARMED UP. DEALER HAS PARTS ON BACK ORDER, AND IT WILL TAKE 30 DAYS. A RUSH ORDER HAS BEEN PLACED. VEHICLE IS GOING TO GET WORSE OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS. *AK
STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE DUE TO A FAULTY STEERING YOKE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PART WAS ON BACKORDER.*AK
PREMATURE WEARING OF FRONT STRUTS EVENTUALLY CAUSED TIRES TO PREMATURELY WEAROUT. ALSO, VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO LEFT OR RIGHT WHICH WAS ALSO A RESULT OF PROBLEM WITH FRONT STRUTS. *AK *SLC
FRONT STRUT BRACKET FAILURE CAUSING FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE, POOR RIDE, AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. PREVIOUS TSB'S WERE NOTED BY OWNER. PROBLEM FIXED BY DEALER UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURE AT RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE FOR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY OVER $500 IF NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. DO TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE IN TOYOTA CARS, WOULD THINK THIS IS LIKELY MANUFACTURING OR ENGINEERING DEFECT AND DUTY OF TOYOTA TO FIX.
NOISE AND THUMP IS COMING FROM SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING OVER WASHBOARD TYPE BUMPS, DEALER REPLACED A LOOSE HEADLINER, HOWEVER THE THUMP AND NOISE IS STILL PRESENT. *SLC
WHILE THE ENGINE IS IDLING DURING A STOP AND PRESSURE IS INCREASED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL DECENDS TO THE FLOOR. *CJ
WENT TO DEALER 3 OUT OF 5 PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED 2 WEEKS PRIOR BY NYS INSPECTION. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK
MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND THEN HIT DIRECTLY IN THE BACK BY A VEHICLE GOING APPROX. 45 MILES PER HOUR. ON IMPACT, THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT FULLY RECLINED RESULTING IN INJURY TO OCCUPANT AND IF THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT ON THAT SIDE IN THE REAR SEAT, THAT OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE HAD CRUSHED LEGS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. OCCUPANT SUFFERS BACK MUSCLE INJURY FROM DEFECT. BIGGER INJURIES COULD HAVE RESULTED IF SOMEONE ELSE WAS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT.*AK
RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. WHILE REQUESTING REPAIR, DEALER INDICATED STEEL BELTS WERE BEGINNING TO PROTRUDE THROUGH CARCASS. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE UNDAMAGED LEFT REAR TIRE, OBSERVED THE SAME PHENOMENON. ALL TIRES HAD ONLY AN ESTIMATED 5 - 10 THOUSAND MILES TREAD REMAINING. THESE TIRES WERE ROTATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION AND MAINTAINED AT 32 PSI PRESSURE. CAR IS IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION WITH NO FRONT END DAMAGE NOR ALIGNMENT ANOMALIES. AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTS NOTED ON BOTH REAR TIRES CHOSE TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/65R15 )
DUNLOP SPORT 4000 TIRE(P205 65 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND MINOR BODY DAMAGE, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES THAT DRIVER'S SEAT SEEMS TO GO FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER AS THOUGH IT WAS LOOSE. DEALER SAID SEAT NOT LOOSE. ALSO DASH AND HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING HOME ONE EVENING. COULD'T GET THEM TO GO BACK ON. AFTER CAR WAS IN DRIVEWAY DOE 5 MINUTES WENT OUT AND TRIED AND THEN THEY WENT ON. DEALER SAID NOTHING COULD BE FOUND.
THE CAR HAS BEEN RE-ALIGNED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. TIRES HAVE ALSO WORN EXCESSIVELY. INDEPENDENT ALIGNMENT (GOODYEAR) REPORTED THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER AVALONS.*AK
THE FORM DOES NOT COVER WHAT I NEED TO TELL YOU. OUR 11 YEAR OLD SON DECIDED TO SIT IN THE CAR AND FINISH EATING HIS BREAKFAST WHILE WE WENT AHEAD AND ENTERED THE CHURCH ON SUNDAY. MY WIFE PRESSED THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE FOB. MY SON WAS TOTALLY UNABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN WHEN HE FINISHED HIS BISCUIT. THE ALARM WOULD SOUND WHEN HE TRIED TO OPEN THE LOCKED DOOR AND HE COULD NOT GET OUT. LUCKILY SOME OTHER PEOPLE NOTICED WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THE PRIEST MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE CHURCH AND WE WENT OUT AND UNLOCKED HIM. WE ALL GOT A GOOD LAUGH. I CAN EASILY SEE HOWEVER HOW THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A DISASTER IF WE HAD LEFT HIM IN AN ABANDONED PARKING LOT AT NIGHT, ETC... NO ESCAPE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE AND TOYOTA PEOPLE NEED TO POINT OUT THIS POSSIBLITY. *AK
BELIEVE MANUFACTURER IS PUTTING INFERIOR TIRES ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AUTOS AND THEN REFERS CUSTOMER TO TIRE MANUFACTURER WHEN COMPLAINTS ARISE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/65R15 )
FRONT SUSPENSION BANGS AND CLANKS GOING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP AT ANY SPEED. ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR DEVELOPING EVEN WITH ROTATION. DEALER STATES CONDITION IS "NORMAL" NO RESOLUTION AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. *AK
BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED AT 7000 MILES. BRAKES AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 14000 MILES AND 19000 MILES. ALSO, ABS BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON/OFF, AND BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING. *AK
AIR BAGS FRONT AND SIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY ON A FRONTAL COLLISION AT A SPEED GREATER THAN 10 MPH. THE SPEED IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE, BUT IT WAS GREAT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE FIREWALL TO PARTIALLY BUCKLE. THANK HEAVEN THAT THE SEAT BELTS WORKED PROPERLY. *AK
REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT GIVING THE FEELING OF TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO INADEQUATE REAR STRUTS. YH
THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE INTERSECTION MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH, HITTING HER ON RIGHT PASSENGER'S FRONT SIDE. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH ON ICY ROAD CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WAS SIDE SWIPED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
WHILE REFUELING VEHICLE AT A GAS STATION CONSUMER SET THE PUMP ON AUTOMATIC AND WALKED OFF A FEW FEET, TURNED AROUND AND NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF FILLER NECK. FLAME WAS PUT OUT WITH A EXTINGUISHER, AND VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO DEALER. FIRE DEPT REPORT STATED GAS STATION PUMP IGNITED FIRE FROM SPARK OF UNKNOWN SOUCE. NO SMOKING OR PEOPLE AROUND AT THE TIME. *AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE CONSTANTLY PULLS TO THE LEFT . *AK
ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL AND DASH LIGHTS/WARNINGS CUT OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED UNLESS IGNITION TURNED OFF AND ALLOWED TO SIT >1MIN, DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY SPECIFIC PROBLEM RECOMMENDS TRYING TO REPLACE MODULE FOR $1200 ALTHOUGH THAT MAY OR MAY NOT FIX PROBLEM, MORE FREQUENT FAILURE IN SUMMER MONTHS
TOXIC SUBSTANCE VIA VENTILATION DUCTS CAUSING DROWSINESS AND NUMEROUS OTHER POTENTIALLY FATAL HEALTH RELATED SYMPTOMS. A/C SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY SWITCHES FROM FRESH AIR TO RECIRCULATED AIR WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM.
THERE IS EXCESSIVE WIRING BY THE KICK PANEL WHICH CAUSES THE KICK PANEL NOT TO STAY ON BEACUSE THE WIRES ARE RUBBING. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHORT OUT AND STALL. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SINCE APRIL OF 1998 COMPLAINING ABOUT THE KICKPANEL NOT STAYING ON, NEVER GETTING SATISFACTORY RESULTS, I CONTACTED TOYOTA USA AND REQUESTED ARBITRATION, THEY FAILED TO RESPOND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DAYTONA BEACH TOYOTA AT 451 N. NOVA RD DAYTONA BEACH FL 32114 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS "EXTRA WIRING ADDED TO HARNESS UNABLE TO REPAIR WIHT OUT REMOVING WIRES" THIS WAS ON 06/21/99. AT NO TIME DID ANY DEALER OR THE MANAFACTURER INFORM ME OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98E03500. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICE AND AM AWAITING ARBITRATION WITH TOYOTA ON NOVEMBER 1,1999 AT THE STATE LEMON LAW OFFICE 1300 RIVERPLACE BLVD. JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207. AS OF 10/15/1999 I RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL FROM DAVID ADAMS WITH TOYOTA THE REGIONAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION MANAGER INFORMED ME HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING ON ANY OTHER AVALON! ALTHOUGH TOYOTA HAS AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THEM AT THE ARBITRATIN HEARING ON NOVEMBER 1,1999, MR ADAMS HAS ASKED THT WE SETTLE THIS MATTER BY MY PURHCASING ANOTHER TOYOTA AVALON WITH HIM ASISTING US AT DAYTONA BEACH TOYOTA.
CONSUMER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF RECALL 98E035000 AND HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING OF THE TDS SYSTEM. *SLC
NO SUMMARY
FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHT, DOOR AJAR LIGHT, AND INTERIOR LIGHT.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE SLIPS BELOW SEAT.
ALL FOUR TIRE WORN. NLM
WHILE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY, AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ARBITRARILY CUTS OFF AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A/C, FAN VENTILATION OR FRONT WINDOW DEFOGGING CAPABILITY. THE ABSENCE OF DEFOGGING, IN PARTICULAR, IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE WINDOW CAN FOG UP QUICKLY ON HOT, HUMID RAINY DAYS AND SEVERELY COMPROMISE DRIVER VISIBILITY.
VEHICLE HAS CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO BODY DUE TO INCIDENTS OF LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS
DEFECTIVE TIRES - 3 OF 4 ORGINAL TIRES HAVE HAD BLOWOUTS SO FAR IN UNDER THE CARS 9000 MILES. ALL THE HOLES LOOKED THE SAME IN SHAPE AND SIZE AND HAVE BLOWED OUT FROM THE SIDE WALL. I HAVE 2 OF THE 3 TIRES. I DIDN'T KEEP THE FIRST ONE. BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES SO I KEPT THE OTHER TWO. I AM CONCERN ABOUT THE 1 REMAINING ORGINAL TIRE STILL ON THE CAR.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 20565R15 )
FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE, SIX ATTEMPTS TO TRY TO FIX, HOWEVER NOT REMEDIED. MJS
AFTER ONLY 18,000 MILES TWO FRONT TIRES HAD PREMATURELY WORN OUT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW OF BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS WHICH DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY DURING COLLISION CAUSING SERVERE INJURY TO DRIVER'S CHEST, CHIN, AND FRONT TOOTH THAT ALSO INCLUDED BURNING AND INFLAMMATION OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT AND LUNGS. *YC
BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES P205/65R15 92H TIRES DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BULGE. MJS
RADIO RECEPTION IS POOR, RESULTING IN RADION FADING IN AND OUT. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 15 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
WHEN PULLING INTO GARAGE, DOOR OPENED SLIGHTLY, ACCELERATOR NOT TOUCHED, VEHICLE TOOK OFF GOING FORWARD, PUT GEAR INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE TOOK OFF GOING BACKWARDS. SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. DEALER CONTACTED, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
ON MARCH 21,1999 OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT BEGAN TO INVOLUTARILY ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS SURGING RAPIDLY. THE TACOMETER REACHED 7,000RPM AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90MPH. DRIVER WAS APPLYING NORMAL PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE ACCELERATION BEGAN. HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BY USING THE BRAKES WITH NO SUCCESS. THE CAR WAS ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL, SO THE OWNER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER IN WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND NO REPEAT OF THE INCIDENT COULD BE PREFORMED. DEALER INVESTIGATED ACCELERTOR CABLE, SCANNED CHECK FOR CODES, THROTTLE BODY AND GAS PEDAL, NO DIAGNOSIS COULD BE MADE. OWNER'S EXPRESS LIFE THREATENING AND SAFETY CONCERNS PERTAINING TO THIS VEHICLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THIS VEHICLE.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM PERFORMING POORLY CAUSING THE "SKID" LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
CENTURY BREVERRA CONTOUR DOES NOT RESTRAIN PROPERLY IN BACK MIDDLE OF TOYOTA AVALON. DUE TO HUMP IN MIDDLE ELR/ALR SEAT BELT CANNOT BE TIGHTENED PROPERLY. SEAT TILTS TO SIDE. ELR RELEASES. LOCKING CLIP RELEASES. CENTURY TODDLER SEAT RESTRAINS FINE. *AK
FRONT SUSPNSION MAKES AN "UNDAMPENED" CLUNK WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHTLY ROUGH ROAD. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND/OR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T LOCK, AND THAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER. *AK
NOISEY BRAKES REPLACED.
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED.
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED.
BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. *YC
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
BRAKES FAILED.
CONSUMER BELIEVES VEHICLE IS POORLY INSULATED CAUSING IT TO BE NOISY.
DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW RELAY FAILED. NLM
BATTERY FAILED. MJS
SUNVISOR FAILED. *YC
SLIDING DOOR FAILED. *YC
REAR SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER SIDE TOO SHORT RESULTING IN DISAPPEARING INTO SLOT. *YC
DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED. *YC
WINDSHIELD GLASS FLAWED DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION. YH
BRAKES SQUEAKING. YH
SHIFT GEAR MAKES NOICES. YH
IGNITION PIECE FELL OFF. YH
BRAKE PEDAL LOOSE. YH
POWER STEERING PUMP LEAK. YH
A/C SYSTEM BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. YH
POWER STEERING RESERVOIR LEAK. YH
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE, BRAKE FADING. YH
THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE FREEWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRE BECAUSE ONLY THE RIM WAS LEFT AND THEY COULD NOT SEE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE (GENERAL TIRE 205/65HR15). *YC
BRAKES MAKE NOISE DUE TO PADS MADE OUT OF ASBESTOS. YH
PASSENGER SEAT MOTOR ASSEMBLY (POWER SEAT) FAILED. *YC
RIGHT FRONT DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING LOOSE AND DEFORMED. YH
MAP LIGHT FAILED. YH
TIRE PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSED CORDS SEPARATED FROM RUBBER AFTER RUNNING LOW DUE TO PUNCTURE. YH (BRIDGESTONE P205/65R15).
COMPUTER FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COMES ON AND GOES OFF REPEATEDLY. YH
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIIONS. YH
ENGINE STARTS AND DIES PERIODICALLY. YH
ON DEC. 24, 98 LEN LUZZI WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN MARIANNE SIMONS TOYOTA AVALON, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER OF AVALON INJURED. *AK.ET.
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE PASSENGER LEANED OVER AND ACCIDENTLY PUSHED THE AUTOMATIC TRANMISSION GEAR FROM DRIVE POSITION TO NEUTRAL POSITION, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. OWNER BELIEVES THIS EASE IN SWITCHING GEARS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. *AK.ET.
ENGINE SURGES AND DROPS RPMS RAPIDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN ENGAGING CRUISE OR WHEN LETTING FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL.
UNINTENDED ACCERLERATION. UPON BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. DAMAGED DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT QUARTER PANEL OF AUTO. DRIVER DOORS IMPACTED SIDE OF GARAGE. THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE RACING. ENGINE WAS WARM PRIOR TO ACCIDENT
SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING SIDE IMPACT COLLISION
CONSUMER WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THEN WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. POLICE WAS CALLED. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK
SIDE AIR BAG.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR DOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND SLIDE INTO A MEDIAN. NEITHER THE SIDE NOR THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
CONSUMER IS COMPLAINING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED. IT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSUMER UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEEDODOMETER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATED PROBLEMS AT 100 MILES, AFTER TOYOTA SERVICE THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 200 MILES AND TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING ITSELF (ELECTRONICALLY) INTO NEUTRAL AT SPEEDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH, WITHOUT ANY MOVEMENT OF THE GEAR SHIFT.
CONSTANT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AND ACCELERATOR WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR.
GAS TANK LEAKS. ALSO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON GAS TANK. BUT FUEL CONTINUES TO LEAK. CAUSE POSSIBLE FUEL HOSE. *AK
SEAT BELT DESIGN CAUSES THE VINYL HOUSING TO RUB AGAINST THE SEATS FABRIC RESULTING IN WORN SPOTS ON EACH FRONT SEAT.
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED.
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