1999 Toyota Avalon Problems & Complaints

THE CAR STEERING IS HARD TO TURN UNTIL IT WARMS UP. I TOOK THE STEERING TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR FLUSHING 12/3/2015 BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE STEERING CONTINUES TO BE STIFF/HARD WHEN TURNING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT IS THE ONLY CAR MY FAMILY USES AND THIS IS INCREASING MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A REPAIR FACILITY FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE THE MECHANIC NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL. UPON EXAMINATION THE MECHANIC FOUND THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS MASTER WINDOW CONTROL PANEL HAD MELTED AND A HOLE FUSED THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE SWITCH CONTROL UNIT. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE PART HOWEVER UPON REPLACEMENT OF THE PART THE REPLACEMENT PANEL BEGAN TO MELT. *TR

ON OR ABOUT THE DATE BELOW, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE I-405 N FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES WHEN MY SUNROOF GLASS PANEL FLEW OFF OF MY CAR. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, BUT I HAD NOTICED INCREASING WIND NOISE OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS OR SO. AFTER CONDUCTING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT OTHER SUNROOFS (E.G., THE WEBASTO MODELS 600/700 AND 900) THAT ALSO USED GLASS PANELS MANUFACTURED BY VERMEULEN HOLLANDIA ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. I PURCHASED MY 1999 TOYOTA AVALON USED IN 2004 WITH ABOUT 16K MILES ON IT. I AM UNSURE WHETHER WEBASTO IS THE MANUFACTURER, BUT AM LISTING THEM IN THE FOLLOWING PAGE SO THAT I AM ABLE TO FILL OUT ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO FILE THIS REPORT ELECTRONICALLY. THE GLASS PANEL INDICATES THAT VERMEULEN HOLLANDIA BV IS THE MANUFACTURER, AND THE SN IS 361607. *TR

WAS DRIVING SOUND ON GREGORY RD AND ANOTHER CAR WAS TRAVELING NORTH SHE CAME INTO MY LANE AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND HIT ME HEAD ON MY AIRBAG NEW DEPLOYED AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD I HAVE A BRUISE ACROSS MY CHEST FROM STEERING WHEEL AND BUMPS ON MY HEAD. *TR

DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ABOUT THE 17TH OF DECEMBER 2013, I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE CAR TO A STOP. INSTEAD THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD SUDDENLY OUT OF CONTROL AND MOUNTED THE SIDEWALK. IT TRAVELED ABOUT 20 FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE IT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS NO OBJECT OR PERSON IN THE PATH OF THE CAR AND NOBODY WAS INJURED. THIS IS THE THIRD SUCH INCIDENT. THE FIRST WAS ON JUNE 3, 2006; THE SECOND WAS ON 3 FEBRUARY 2010. ALL INVOLVED THE CAR EITHER BEING STOPPED OR COMING TO A STOP. I DOCUMENTED BOTH, WRITING TO TOYOTA FULL ACCOUNTS OF EACH INCIDENT. I HAVE COPIES OF THESE LETTERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JUNE 3, 2006 LONG BEFORE THE WIDELY PUBLICIZED DEATH OF 4 PEOPLE IN AN ACCELERATING TOYOTA VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON INVOLUNTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98E035000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC "EVENT" CAR JUST SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. CAR WAS PARKED, DRIVER AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHEN DRIVER RETURNED AND GOT INTO CAR NOTICED A SMELL, THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, PUT THE WINDOW UP AND SMELL WAS STRONGER. LOOKED DOWN AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE RADIO. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED, FIRE EXTINGUISHED. *TR

ON AUGUST 9, 2009, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER AVALON WITH OUR 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN IT, TO GRAB A BITE TO EAT IN WALNUT CREEK, CA. WHEN MY WIFE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION. SINCE SHE COULD NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE, SHE DECIDED TO DRIVE BACK HOME THAT WAS ONLY MINUTES AWAY. BUT ON HER WAY HOME, THE CAR LOST POWER AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN, WHITE SMOKE WAS ERUPTED OUT OF THE ENGINE. LUCKILY, THEY WERE TRAVELING ON THE RESIDENTIAL STREET AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR IN TIME BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. EVEN PEOPLE FROM NEARBY RESIDENCE SAW THIS INCIDENT AND CAME OUT TO OFFER HELP. I COULD NOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THEY WERE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. NEVERTHELESS, MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTERWARD DUE TO THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NOW THE CAR WAS DEAD!! I ORDERED AAA TO TOW THE CAR TO WALNUT CREEK TOYOTA DEALER THAT DAY FOR REPAIR. ON AUGUST 10, 2009, I WAS INFORMED BY TIM LUBECK, A TOYOTA ADVISOR THAT MY CAR STARTER STUCK ON THE 'ON' POSITION THE WHOLE TIME AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND RUNNING, CAUSING THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THEY HAD EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE MELTED POSITIVE & NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLES FOR TOTAL REPAIR COSTS OF $922.04, WHICH I THOUGHT IT WAS EXCESSIVE ' ESPECIALLY THE LABOR COST THAT WAS $475.87. I'VE MAILED A LETTER ALONG WITH A COPY OF REPAIR INVOICE AND IMAGE OF DEFECTIVE STARTER ON 3/4/2010 [XXX] TO REQUEST FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF MY REPAIR COSTS THAT I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SINCE THIS WHOLE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE TOYOTA STARTER. SO FAR, TOYOTA DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A COURTESY TO RESPOND TO MY LETTER. I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS, REPAIR INVOICE AND IMAGE OF THE DEFECTIVE STARTER AND MELTED WIRES. *TR

1999 TOYOTA AVALON. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS AT A CAR WASH WHICH WAS NEARING THE END OF THE WAS ON THE CONVEYOR BELT WITH THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL GEAR AS REQUIRED. AT THE END OF THE WASH CYCLE, THE GREEN LIGHT CAME ON WHICH WAS HER SIGNAL TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND EASE OFF THE BELT ONTO THE LOT. AT THE GREEN LIGHT, THE CONSUMER PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. ONCE IN DRIVE GEAR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND INSTANTLY ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUSLY HIGH SPEED. THE CONSUMER STOMPED ON THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY WITH NO RESULT. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THE EAST SIDEWALK AND THREE EMPTY SOUTHBOUND LANES. IT THEN COLLIDED INTO THE THREE NORTHBOUND-LANE CARS; CROSSED THE WEST SIDEWALK AND CRASHED THROUGH A SIX FOOT COMMERCIAL CHAIN LINK FENCE; HIT A PARKED PICK UP TRUCK AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE WALL WAS THE FINAL OBJECT THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD MAINTAINED EXCESSIVE SPEED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. *JB

MY 1999 TOYOTA AVALON PERIODICALLY SURGES WHEN I USE CRUISE CONTROL ON AN UPHILL INCLINE. TO STOP THE SURGE IN SPEED, I TAKE THE CAR OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

IT HAS HAPPENED ON LEVEL SURFACES AS WELL AS INCLINES. WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE, THEY FIRST MAKE A GRINDING SOUND. THEN, IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THEY MAKE A SOUND LIKE A METAL SPRING UNCOILING (LIKE A CLICKING, OTHERWISE). AFTER THAT, YOU ARE FREE SAILING AS YOU HAVE NO BRAKES! THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE EITHER TRYING TO BRAKE OR EVEN AFTER BRAKING SUCCESSFULLY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY LET LOOSE WHILE AT A STOP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. I HAVE THANKFULLY BEEN ABLE TO AVOID ANY SERIOUS INJURY OR ACCIDENTS, HOWEVER HAVE HAD A MINOR ISSUE WITH HITTING A FENCE DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED FOR ANY REPAIRS NEEDED ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. ALSO NOTE THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION LITE OFTEN COMES ON DASH EVEN ON DRY SURFACES. THIS BRAKING PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE SIENNA, BUT IN OTHER MODEL TOYOTAS AS WELL. CURRENTLY, IT IS ONLY THE PRIUS BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS GETTING PUBLIC ATTENTION, HOWEVER. *TR

MY 1999 TOYOTA AVALON XLS, HAS HAD SEVERAL ACCELERATION EVENTS, THIS HAS OCCURRED WILL AT A STOP, WITH FOOT BRAKE ENGAGED, IN DRIVE GEAR, THE CAR SURGES FORWARD FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS. THE BRAKE IS ABLE TO KEEP CAR FROM MOVING MORE THAN A FOOT. *TR

SUSPECT SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IS DEATH. *TR

AT ABOUT 5:00 P.M. MARCH 18, 2007, AS I WENT TO PICK UP MY 96 YEAR OLD MOTHER AT THE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, I STOPPED MY 1999 TOYOTA AVALON UNDERNEATH THE DRIVE-THROUGH CANOPY TO WAIT FOR HER. AS I WAITED THERE, I NOTICED THAT A CAR HAD PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND WAS PREPARING TO DISCHARGE AN ELDERLY PASSENGER SO I PROCEEDED AROUND THE CIRCULAR DRIVE TO GET OUT OF THEIR WAY. AS I SLOWLY CIRCLED AROUND THE DRIVE BACK TOWARD THE ENTRANCE I NOTED THE OTHER CAR HAD CLEARED OUT. AS I COASTED TOWARD THE ENTRANCE I NOTED A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALK WALKING TOWARD THE ENTRANCE IN FRONT OF ME. AS I CONTINUED SLOWLY BACK TOWARD THE ENTRANCE, I FELT MY VEHICLE ACCELERATE VIOLENTLY TOWARD THE GROUP OF PEDESTRIANS. ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET, I GRADUALLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND CONTINUED TO A SAFE STOP WHERE I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. IT WAS A TERRIFYING FEELING TO FEEL THE SURGE OF POWER THAT I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL AND TO REALIZE THAT WITH THE PEOPLE WALKING IN FRONT OF ME I COULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED SOMEONE. THE PEOPLE WERE ONLY ABOUT 30 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO COME PICK UP MY MOTHER AND ME AS I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER WHO SCHEDULED AN INSPECTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AFTER CLASSIFYING THE INCIDENT AS 'UNINTENDED ACCELERATION', PROCEEDED TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY, CLEAN THE FUEL INJECTORS, AND DE-CARBON THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED AT 45,900 MILES, (AN INTERVAL OF 43,240 MILES). A SERVICE INTERVAL OF 50,000 MILES IS RECOMMENDED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS POTENTIAL FOR GREAT HARM TO PEDESTRIANS, THIS WAS THE ONLY INCIDENT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT WE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS CAR DURING THE FOUR YEARS THAT I OWNED IT. ON FEB 13, 2008, I SOLD THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO CHANGE LANES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. IT BEGAN SWAYING FROM ONE LANE TO THE NEXT. SHE TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE. SHE HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE HAD NO CONTROL AND COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. WHEN INSPECTED, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2007. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 27,000. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB

DRIVER'S EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, AND COMMENTS WERE THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME ON TOYOTAS (FROM MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON DIFFERENT DATES. BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOOR QUICKLY CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS IS OCCURRING AS FREQUENTLY AS TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES LED TO BELIEVE, WHY HASN'T TOYOTA DOES SOMETHING TO CORRECT? THE GRASPING PORTION OF HANDLE IS ALL PLASTIC. PROBLEM COULD MOST LIKELY BE SOLVED EASILY WITH A LITTLE REINFORCEMENT WITH A DURABLE MATERIAL. *TR

I ENTERED THE FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER IT. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. ALL I COULD DO WAS STEER. I STAYED IN THE RIGHT LANE AND STEERED UP THE EXIT RAMP. I PUSHED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, STAYED ON THE BRAKE, AND IT COASTED TO A STOP AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP, JUST BEFORE IT ENTERED THE INTERSECTION. I PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE, AND IT TOOK OFF AGAIN. I PUSHED IT BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND STEERED INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AGAIN AND IT WAS FINE. I DROVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT. FINALLY, I DECIDED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOME, BUT NOT ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, HE DETERMINED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. BY CHANCE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE TIP OF THE MAT HAD APPARENTLY BEEN RESTING AGAINST THE BOTTOM TIP OF THE ACCELERATOR. HE CUT OFF THE TIP OF THE MAT. I REMEMBERED THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED ABOUT TWO YEARS PRIOR, ON A BUSY STREET, AS I DROVE OUT OF A CAR WASH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. ANOTHER MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT WAS PROBABLY THE MAT THAT FIRST TIME, TOO. BOTH INCIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE SECOND ONE, WERE EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING. ALL I COULD WAS THANK GOD THAT THERE WAS NO COLLISION. *TR

SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT: I HAD SHOULDER SURGERY AND HAD TO PUT THE SHOULDER STRAP ACROSS MY BACK SO THAT IT WOULDN'T CROSS MY BAD SHOULDER. SO, WE GET TO OUR DESTINATION AND I START TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND FORGET I STILL HAVE THE SEATBELT ON. MY WIFE GETS BACK IN AND RELEASES IT, AND I GO TO GET OUT AND THE DAMNED THING WON'T PULL OUT/LOOSE. SINCE THE IDIOT THING THINKS IT'S PROTECTING ME, I PUSH A LITTLE OF IT BACK INTO THE SLOT ASSUMING IT WILL THEN RELEASE. NOOOOO! IT JUST GETS TIGHTER. WE START THE CAR TO SEE IF THAT RELEASES IT. NOOOOO! EVERY TIME I MOVE IT JUST GETS TIGHTER. A FREAKING BOA CONSTRICTOR COULD TAKE LESSONS FROM THIS THING. AFTER IT'S ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THE SEATBELT HAS WON, AND I'M BOUND UP LIKE A THANKSGIVING TURKEY, WE GET THE SCISSORS AND CUT IT LOOSE. THE TOYOTA ENGINEERS REALLY BLEW THIS DESIGN. SEVERAL FOLKS HAVE SAID THEY'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN CAR SEATS. ACTUALLY, THIS PROBLEM COULD BE KIND OF DANGEROUS IF YOU'RE IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED FOUR FRACTURED RIBS, A FRACTURED PELVIS, AND A FRACTURED COXAE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONTUSION UNDER HIS RIGHT SIDE RIB. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,600. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07

SIMILAR COMPLAINT TO CASE NUMBER 10192892 FILED 6/11/2007. I PURCHASED 4 TOYO SPECTRUM TIRES FOR 1999 AVALON THAT CONTINUALLY LOST AIR. THEY ERE ALL SLOW LEAKS, BUT REQUIRED FILLING UP ONCE PER MONTH. I CHECKED THEM FOR NAILS, BUT THERE WASV NOTHING EVIDENT.*AK

I PURCHASED 4 TOYO TIRES FOR MY 1999 TOYOTA AVALON LAST SUMMER. ALL OF THE TIRES CONTINUE TO LOSE AIR REQUIRING I FILL THEM UP 2 OR 3 TIMES A MONTH! *TR

MICHELIN SYMMETRY P205/65 R15 BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SIDEWALL WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE TIRE. PICTURES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE REAR BEARING WAS LOOSE. THE BEARING BECAME LOOSE DUE TO THE WORN BUSHINGS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V154000, REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

BY CHECKING THE BRAKES IN THE CAR THE MECHANIC FOUNDED THAT THE BEARING ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL IS BROKEN. THE CAR IS 1999 TOYOTA AVALON. *NM

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED WITH THE CONTROL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION; HOWEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED RAPIDLY INCREASED TO OVER 70 MPH, ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONSUMER DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. UPDATED 02/13/06. *JB

DT: 1999 TOYOTA AVALON. HAD THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER SYSTEM TANK REPLACED ON OCTOBER 18,2005. THE TANK WAS LEAKING GAS, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT RECALL. HAD NOT CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP, AND I HAD NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE. *AK

DT: EDDIE BAUER SEAT MODEL # 22755 BGL MANUFACTURER'S # AE1B103309. THE FABRIC ON THE CAR SEAT MELTED DUE TO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. OVER THE LAST TWO TO THREE WEEKS THE CONSUMER EXAMINED THE CAR SEAT EACH DAY, AND YESTERDAY NOTICED THERE WAS A NEW MELTING SPOT IN THE FABRIC, AND THE FOAM UNDERNEATH THE FABRIC WAS BROWN COLORED AND SCORCHED. THE HARNESS STRAPS HAD FABRIC ON THEM AND THEY MELTED AS WELL, JUST NOT AS BAD. SOME OF THE PLACES ON THE HARNESS COVERS THE MATERIAL WAS NOT BURNED, BUT WAS A BROWN COLOR. SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND TOLD THEM THAT ALL THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAT IN THE CAR, AND THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED, AND THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE ALL THE MATERIAL ON THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CONSUMER OFFERED TO SEND THE OLD MATERIAL TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY.*AK

MY LATE 1999 TOYOTA ECHO WAS PARKED AFTER A SHORT DRIVE. TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND A LARGE AREA OF MY HOME WAS BURNED. I AND MY NIECE WERE ASLEEP UPSTAIRS. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE SMELL OF SMOKE WOKE US. WHEN WE FIRST SAW THE CAR, A COLUMN OF WHITE FIRE WAS SHOOTING UP THROUGH THE WINDSCREEN TO THE CEILING 11 FEET ABOVE. THE FIRE CAME FROM THE CENTER OF THE CONSOLE/DASH AREA. AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO FLAMES AROUND OR UNDER THE CAR. JUST THE COLUMN OF FLAME FROM THE CENTER. THE HORN WAS SOUNDING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE ARRIVED WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FIRE WAS SEATED IN THE CENTRAL DASH AREA. THE KEYS WERE BESIDE BY BED. THE CAR HAD ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY TOYOTA SERVICE CENTERS AND THERE WERE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR. WHEN TOYOTA WERE NOTIFIED, THEY SENT INVESTIGATORS TO LOOK FOR A RELAY NEAR THE ALTERNATOR. THE RESULTS OF MY INSURANCE', TOYOTA'S AND AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR'S INVESTIGATIONS WERE (AS RELAYED TO ME BY PHONE) UNSPECIFIED FIRE STARTING IN THE DASH. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NO WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.*AK

AIR BAG SENSORS WENT OUT ON MY 1999TOYOTA AVALON AS I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN ON THE 101FWY NEAR WOODLAND HILLS, CA. THE FLASHING AIRBAG ICON SCARED ME AND I WONDERED IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD IMPLODE. MY PASSENGER CHECKED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND NOTHING THERE LISTED HAD OCCURED PREVIOUSLY TO WARRANT THE FLASHING SIGNAL OR FAILURE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY THEY WERE OPEN. THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. MY CAR HAD 86,995 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE WARRANTY MANUAL STATES PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ARE WARRANTED FOR 60000 OR 5 YEARS. IN KANSAS THEY ARE WARRANTED FOR 10 YEARS OR UNLIMITED MILEAGE. I DO NOT SEE WHY KANSAS OWNERS SHOULD GET SPECIAL WARRANTIES. THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND I PAID $450 LESS 15% THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER GRUDGINGLY GAVE ME. I HAVE COMPLAINED THROUGH CHANNELS. I DON'T EXPECT MIRACLES BUT WANT OTHER OWNERS TO KNOW IT HAPPENED TO MY 1999AVALON AT 86,995. *AK

STRUTS AND STRUT PLATES, ENGINE SMOKING AT 40,000 MILES. *AK

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING WHICH RENDERED THE AIR BAGS INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE SRS SYSTEM AND INDICATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK....*AK

THE AVALON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS ONLY A FEW INCHES AWAY FROM ONE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE CAR SPUN OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE GRASS VERGE BUT FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK UNDER CONTROL. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA MANY TIMES OVER THE WEEKS SINCE THE ACCIDENT, ASKING IF THIS WAS NORMAL OR WAS THERE AN AIRBAG FAILURE. TOYOTA HAVE BEEN DODGING THE QUESTION AND "REFERRING ME TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT". THEY SAID THEY WOULD 'INSPECT IT', DURING A TWO WEEK STAY AT THEIR DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DIDN'T. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAGS, PARTICULARLY THE SIDE ONES DID NOT DEPLOY. IS THERE A FAULT IN THE SYSTEM, OR IF THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED TO OPERATE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES , THEN WHY FIT THEM? *NM

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLES AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK *TC

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *AK *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION BEGAN TO KNOCK. THE DRIVER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD STRUT. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL COST 500.00 FOR REPAIR. *NM TOYOTA SERVICE SAID THAT IF STRUT WEREN'T REPAIRED, ENGINE WILL FALL OFF FROM THE FRAME. ALSO, STRUT PROBLEM IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL. *LA

MY 1999 TOYOTA AVALON (52,000 MILES) DEVELOPED EXCESSIVE FRONT-END NOISE AND VIBRATION. THIS PROBLEM REQUIRED SERVICING OF FRONT END SUSPENSION SYSTEM.I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPT 1999. I HAVE DISCOVERD THAT TOYOTA MOTOR ISSUED A TSB UPDATE (SU002-99 DATED SEPT 3, 1999) ADVISING TOYOTA DEALERS OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH MODELS 1997-1999 TOYOTA AVALON. THE TSB ALSO STATED THAT TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM THES SUSPENSION SUPPORT HAS BEEN CHANGED. MY COMPLAINT: I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURED ON MY VEHICLE, IT CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN AND REQUIRED REPAIRS COSTING ME $298. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FILED FOR REIMBURSEMENT APPROVAL WITH TOYOTA MOTOR WHO ONLY AUTHORIZED REIMBURSEMENT OF SMALL COST OF PARTS. I APPEALED TO TOYOTA MOTOR ABOUT THIS SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. TOYOTA ADVISED ME THAT THEIR DECISION WAS FINAL. I CONTACTED CALIFORNIA STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY WHO ADVISED ME TO CONTACT NHTSA.

WITH AT LEAST 50% OF THE TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES (42,488 MILES) THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED BACK AND FORTH. UPON EXAMINATION, THE FRONT TIRES WERE SWOLLEN IN THE TREAD PORTION OF THE TIRE. *AK *SC *JB

AT 39,00 MI. MY 1999 TOYOTA AVALON MAKES ALOT OF NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE, VIBRATES AT ANY SPEED ON LESS THAN SMOOTH ROAD, VIBRATES ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH.LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. CAR DEALER REPLACED FRONT STRUTS AND ALIGNED FRONT TO NO AVAIL.*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 25-30 MPH. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL LIGHT MIGHT GO OFF ON IT'S OWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR 4 WEEKS, COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE AT THAT TIME, AND IT SHOWED THAT CHARCOAL CANISTER VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOYOTA PAID FOR PART UNDER GOOD WILL PROGRAM.*AK *PH

THE STRUT CAPS KEEP REPEATEDLY BREAKING AND THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PLACEMENT OF THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS.*AK

THE DRIVER HEATER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED THE CONSUMER. *JB THE FIRST SEAT GRID WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK. THE REPLACEMENT BURNED THE CONSUMER WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING AND NEVER CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FAILED PART AGAIN. *PH *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. *AK

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN TRAVELING ~ 20 MPH, A '89 HEAVY AUTO TRAVELING @ 48 MPH IMPACTED PASSENGER SIDE OF CONSUMERS VEHICLE, SLAMMING CONSUMERS VEHICLE INTO A '94 HEAVY AUTO STOPPED AT LIGHT, TOTALING ALL THREE AUTOS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS ON CONSUMERS 1999 TOYOTA AVALON DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE LEG/HIP/BACK, AND CHEST INJURIES. TOYOTA OFFICIALS SAY THE AIR BAGS WERE IN NORMAL FUNCTIONING CONDITION. *NLM

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR THE AIR BAG FLASHED REPEATEDLY FOR 60 MILES. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT ANY PROBLEM CODES. *JB

THE VEHICLES AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *NLM

FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES A CRUNCHING NOISE WHEN EXPANDED OR CONTRACTED. DEALER STATED THAT THEY "THINK" IT MIGHT BE THE STRUT MOUNTS. VERY COSTLY ESTIMATE TO TRY SOMETHING THAT MIGHT WORK. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS AND WANTED TO REGISTER MINE ALONG WITH THE OTHERS. *NLM

MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. ONCE THERE, THE DEALER STATES THERE IS NO CODE STORED IN THE COMPUTER AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. ONCE THE CAR IS RESTARTED, THE LIGHT IS OFF, BUT COMES ON AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I AM WORRIED OF AN AIR BAG FAILURE DUE TO THIS INDICATOR LIGHT, BUT THE DEALER CAN'T HELP BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF STORED CODES. *NLM

THE CONSUMER HAD AN AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH INSTALLED BY AUTHORIZED COMPANY. THE SWITCH HAS NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE INSTALLATION. THE INSTALLER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOUR TIMES SINCE INSTALLATION BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *NLM

AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS.

AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM ON 5 ATTEMPTS BRINGING CAR IN WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON. MANUFACTURER NOT CONCERNED. MR

REAR OCCUPANTS ARE NOT ABLE TO RESTRAIN THEMSELVES BECAUSE SEAT BELTS ARE HIDDEN BETWEEN THE SEATS.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK MANUFACTURER MODIFIED THE DESIGN ON LATER MODELS BUT NO RETROFIT ON EXISTING VEHICLE. *TT

CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO UNJAM THE STEERING.*JG

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES INTERMITTENTLY ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMERS FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER TO GET THE PROBLEM TO STOP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. JB *NLM

WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WAS HIT BY A BUS, AND THEN CONSUMER HIT ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE RAN INTO A BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, FOLLOWED BY ENGINE CHECK" LIGHT COMING ON. DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A BAD FUEL INJECTOR AND SAID TOYOTA RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL SIX INJECTORS TO REPAIR. I ASKED IF THESE WERE DEFECTIVE INJECTORS AND WAS TOLD NO. CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD SAME THING. IF THERE IS NO DEFECT, WHY WOULD I REPLACE ALL SIX INJECTORS? THIS WOULD COST ME NEARLY 5 TIMES AS MUCH. EITHER THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ALL INJECTORS OR THIS IS A RUSE TO GET UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS TO PAY MORE FOR SERVICE. THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE APPROPRIATE REPAIR. I WAS NOT TOLD AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THAT THIS CAR MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE PARTS. IF TOYOTA KNOWS OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THESE INJECTORS THEY SHOULD REPLACE THEM WHEN A FAILURE OCCURS, NOT THE CUSTOMER. *AK

FRONT STRUTS ON SUSPENSION WERE REPLACED AT ABOUT 24000 MILES DUE TO NOISE INDICATING FAILURE OF SAME. NOW DEALER WON'T REPLACE REAR STRUTS MAKING SAME TYPE OF NOISE WHEN CROSSING BUMP AT LOW SPEEDS. FEAR IS THAT SUSPENSION COULD FAIL AT HIGHER SPEEDS LEADING TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK

TREAD SEPARATION AND THEN TIRE SIDEWALL FAILURE, CAUSED SIDEWAYS CAR SKID ON SNOW COVERED ROAD, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A GAP IN TRAFFIC AT THAT TIME IN ONCOMING LANE AND NO ONE FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND.*AK (DOT NUMBER: DBUR AA45 TIRESIZE: P205/65R15)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ENGINE WAS HESTITATING AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE. MILEAGE JUST TURNED OVER 21,000, AND DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. DEALER WAS REFUSING TO REPAIR VEHICE UNLESS CONSUMER COVERED THE COST. DEALER STATED THAT OIL CHANGES WERE DONE ON TIME, BUILDING UP SLUDGE IN ENGINE. *AK

THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK THREE TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *YH

THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK THREE TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *YH

ENGINE DEVELOPED SLUDGE AT 18,000 MILES AND DEALER SAYS THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE UP SOON. REGULAR OIL CHANGES WERE PERFORMED AND PROVED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER SAYS SLUDGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN MY ENGINE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY TOYOTA. I AM AFFRAID OF ENGINE SEIZURE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING WOULD EXPERIENCE VIBRATION ON ENTIRE VEHICLE. WOULD FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A FLAT TIRE. HIGHER THE SPEED STRONGER IS VIBRATION, AND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY DEALER .*AK

BRAKES WOULD PERIODICALLY GO OUT. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX BRAKES ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST. DEFECT CAN INVOLVE CONSUMER IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT.*AK

VIBRATION IN FRONT END, FELT IN STEERING AND GETTING WORSE. TOYOTA MECHANIC SUSPECTS CV JOINT FAILING.FACTORY REP SAYS IT'S A DESIGN FLAW; THEY ALL DO IT. NEW AVALONS ARE REDESIGNED TO CORRECT FLAW. REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION.*AK

THE FRONT BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL. NLM

THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT NOISE, DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL. NLM

WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE WILL REV UP TO 5500 RPMS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CONSUMER MUST QUICKLY APPLY BRAKES, AND CHANGE GEAR IN ORDER TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM MOVING. TOYOTA CANNOT DUPLICATE DEFECT. THERFORE, CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. IN MEANTIME, CONSUMER IS DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 15-20MPH IN DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHILE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 45-50MPH HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD ON. FRONT & SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. HOOD AND BUMPER WERE SEVERLY DAMAGED. TOYOTA WAS SENDING AN INSPECTOR TO DETERMINE A REASON FOR NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. *AK

NO SUMMARY

NO SUMMARY

WATER WOULD ENTER TRUNK AREA WHENEVER IT RAIND OR VEHICLE WAS BEING WASHED AFTER TRUNK LID WAS CLOSED. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC COUILD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM OR RESOLVE IT.*AK

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *AK CONSUMER HAS NOT DRIVEN VEHICLE SINCE 3,791 MILES, THE REPAIRS COMPLETED TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT REMEDY BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WENT TO TOYOTA ARBITRATION BOARD FOR ASSISTANCE AND IS NOT RECEIVING HELP REGARDING FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. ( MELODY TOYOTA 222 E.SAN BRUNO AVE. SAN BRUNO, CA. 94066. BOTH DEALERS SERVICE CENTERS RECEIPT ENCLOSED IN DOCUMENTATION). *YH

WHILE DRIVING ALONG AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. SOMETIMES AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXIST WITH THE AIR BAG. *AK

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES HEARD A LOUD POPPING NIOSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE (FROM A STOP) WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. --FOR INSTANCE AT AN INTERSECTION OCCASIONALLY, AND RECENTLY, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN I APPLY MODERATE GAS, BETWEEN 1/4 AND 1/2 PEDAL, THE ENGINE LOSES POWER AND THE CAR JUST SITS THERE. TO COMPLETE MY TURN, I HAVE TO LET OFF THE GAS AND PROCEED SLOWLY, SOMETIMES NARROWLY BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK

EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. DEALER SAID TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND THEN STEPPING ON GAS TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JERKS NOTICEABLY. TOYOTA SAYS THAT THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. *AK

MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON 1 OR 2 TIMES A MONTH, WHILE DRIVING. IT STAYS ON FOR 15-30 SECONDS. MY NEXT PROBLEM IS THAT MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IN 11/99. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. THIS WAS REPAIRED BUT I DON'T FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE. ALSO AROUND 16,000 MILES THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS. THIS ALSO SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEN AT THIS EARLY AGE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE CONSUMER WITH A DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS COUPLING THAT IS POSITIONED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT, CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PART FOR EXTENDED TIME. *MJS

PROBLEM 1: THE CAR SHIFTS POORLY WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS AND THEN ACCELERATE OR DO A ROLLING STOP. TOYOTA'S FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, RON WYTOCK SAID THAT THOSE DRIVING SITUATIONS PRODUCED A 2 GEAR DOWNSHIFT WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BUT THAT WAS NORMAL AND NOT REPAIRABLE. PROBLEM 2: THE CAR HAS A VERY NASTY, ACRID ODOR, THAT GIVES US HEADACHES AND MAKES US NAUSEOUS WHEN WE DRIVE IT. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN MORE THAN 4 TIMES IN ATTEMPTS TO GET IT REPAIRED, BUT THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE THE SMELL MAKES US ILL: WE ARE CONCERNED THE CAR MAY CATCH FIRE; AND WE ARE CONCERNED CAR COMPONENTS MAY FAIL WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. TOYOTA HAS GUESSED AT SEVERAL CAUSES OF THE SMELL, BUT NOW SAYS THE SMELL IS NORMAL AND NOT A CAUSE OF CONCERN. *AK

VEHICLE WAS REARENDED ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEAT FELL FORWARD, AND SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. CONSUMER RECEIVED VARIOUS INJURIES. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

CAR HAS DEFECTIVE PLASTIC WIRING HARNESS COUPLING THAT CONTROLS DRIVER SEAT MEMORY CONTROL. COUPLING AS ATTACHES TO WIRING THAT LEADS TO AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. CAR HAS BEEN IN DEALER'S REPAIR CENTER FOR FIVE WEEKS WITH NO INDICATION AS TO WHEN IT CAN BE FIXED. DEALER WILL NOT RELEASE CAR TO OWNERUNTIL CAR IS REPAIRED BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.

ENGINE SURGING WHEN BREAKING AT INTERSECTIONS. MUST HOLD BREAK PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ENTERING INTO INTERSECTION.

ERRATIC OPERATION OF SPEED CONTROL. IT TURNS ITSELF OFF DURING OPERATION WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL OR TOUCHING OFF SWITCH. DEALER INSPECTED / REPLACED SOME PARTS, BUT NOTHING CAN CORRECT THE PROBLE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDTIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

THIS CAR SUDDEN ACCELERATES AND WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE GOES 10MPH. THE BODY TRIM BY THE DOORS IS SEVERLY WORN AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE IT AND SAYS IT CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM.

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT THE STRUTS WERE WEARING OUT ABNORMALLY BECAUSE HE KEPT HEARING NOISES COMING FROM VEHICLE. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO HOLD CONSUMER FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN A BROKEN STERNUM. *AK

WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLSION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

VEHICLE INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATED AS SOON AS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. STEPPED ON BRAKES, VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING. DEALER CONTACTED, AND COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN VEHICE WAS INVOLVED IN A RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT FRONT CRASH THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WILL GO TO THE LEFT AND THE DEALER REPLACE THE STERRING RACK PINION AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR'S SEVEN TIME'S AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

MY NEIGHBOR AND I PURCHASED TOYOTA AVALON'S THREE WEEKS APART FROM SPARKS TOYOTA. HE IN DECEMBER '98, AND I IN JANUARY '99. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF OWNING MY CAR I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD A FOUL ODOR IN HIS CAR AS I DID, HE SAID, "YES." WE PURSUED THE CAUSE TOGETHER. CALLED TOYOTA IN TORRANCE, CA, AND A WOMEN ADMITTED THAT THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE A/C. SHE STATED IT COULD GO AWAY BY ITSELF OR TO MINIMIZE THE ODOR, RUN THE A/C ON OUTSIDE AIR. CALLED SPARKS TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY STATED IT COULD BE A CLOGGED OR RESTRICTED CONDENSATION LINE. WE BOTH HAD OUR CARS CHECKED OUT, NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE DRAIN LINES. BOTH CARS WERE SPRAYED WITH A BACTERIAL DEODORANT. SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED TO HAVE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TROY HEWEL LOOK AT ONE OF OUR CARS TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR. WE COMPLIED. HEWEL AT FIRST DID NOT KNOW OF ANY PROBLEM, BUT DURING OUR CONVERSATION HE PRODUCED MATERIAL FROM HONDA/ARTICLES FROM USA TODAY/AUTOMOTIVE NEWS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKLEY WELLNESS LETTER ABOUT ISSUES WITH A/C EVAPORATORS. BOTH OF US AGREED TO HAVE OUR EVAPORATORS REPLACED, AS SUGGESTED BY THE HEWEL. TO THE BOTH OF US IT SEEMS TO BE AN INDUSTRY PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T THE BUYER INFORMED OF THE ODOR AT PURCHASE? WHY IN THIS CASE, DOES TOYOTA AT FIRST DENY THAT THERE IS AN A/C PROBLEM, BUT WHEN QUESTIONED FURTHER, ADMITS THERE IS? WHAT HEALTH RISKS ARE INVOLVED FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS? ISN'T THERE ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN, BY USING FRESH AIR (INSTEAD OF RECIRCULATION) TO COOL THE CAR, MORE FUEL HAS TO BE BURNT, RAISING THE POLLUTENT LEVELS ADMITTED TO THE ATMOSPHERE? WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM NHTSA ON THESE ISSUES, THANK YOU! *AK

OBVIOUSLY THE CAR HAD BEEN LEAKING EVERY SINCE WE TOOK DELIVERY. THE HAD TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION OUT TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR AND THE WILL NOT TAKE IT BACK. I NO LONGER HAVE THE FAITH OR TRUST IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CHECKED THE LEMON LAW . COULD THIS PROBLEM CAUSE A FIRE? WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP. *AK