FaultScore report
Owners have filed 92 complaints about the 1995 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 24 of 28 worst.
FaultScore 50/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Toyota Avalon.
How this is worked out92
Complaints
8
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
99,500 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
14%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 39,184 miles
Median failure at 133,000 miles
6 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 97,244 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 103,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1995 TOYOTA AVALON ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *KB A PASSERBY INFORMED THE CONSUMER A ROD MAY HAVE WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED AN OIL LEAK, WHICH THEN DRIPPED ON THE MUFFLER. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0043-91.
NHTSA complaint #10218366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES (BOTH I AND MY WIFE THOUGHT THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP) BUT RATHER THAN STOPPING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED AND WE SLID INTO A STOPPED CAR. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10105670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PARKED MY AVALON IN MY APARTMENT PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR. WHEN I RETURNED THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED COMPLETELY AROUND THE FUSE BOX AND STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THE DASH AND SURROUNDING AREA WAS BURNED OR MELTED. ALSO I MIGHT MENTION THAT I AM AWARE OF NO CHANGES OF THE FUSES BY MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE, AND THE CAR HASN'T HAD ANY MAJOR REPAIRS (OUTSIDE OF FLUID CHANGES, TIRE ALIGNMENTS) SINCE I'VE OWNED IT.
NHTSA complaint #10023699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #749109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING EAST ON MAIN STREET TRAVELING AT 40MPH REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #861246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE ON THIS CAR STUCK ON FULL OPEN, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUTATION. THE CAUSE IS UNKOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #703636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY DAD'S OLD TOYOTA AVALON USED TO UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BETWEEN THE END OF 2005 AND 2007. I WOULD SAY THAT BY THE END OF 2007 IT WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I DROVE ON THE INTERSTATE!! WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED I WOULD HIT THE BRAKES AND USUALLY AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE CAR WOULD DECELERATE (OBVIOUSLY CROSSING MY FINGERS AND PRAYING AT THIS MOMENT) HOWEVER THIS GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY I NEVER HIT ANYONE OR CRASHED. I BECAME SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND IT EVENTUALLY FELL APART ANYWAY...
NHTSA complaint #10563918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY DAD'S OLD TOYOTA AVALON USED TO UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BETWEEN THE END OF 2005 AND 2007. I WOULD SAY THAT BY THE END OF 2007 IT WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I DROVE ON THE INTERSTATE!! WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED I WOULD HIT THE BRAKES AND USUALLY AFTER A FEW MOMENTS THE CAR WOULD DECELERATE (OBVIOUSLY CROSSING MY FINGERS AND PRAYING AT THIS MOMENT) HOWEVER THIS GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY I NEVER HIT ANYONE OR CRASHED. I BECAME SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND IT EVENTUALLY FELL APART ANYWAY...
NHTSA complaint #10563918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1)WAS RECENTLY ABLE TO SHUT OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. DID THIS INADVERTENTLY WHEN I FORGOT TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. FORTUNATELY VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL AWAY AS I WAS IN THE GARAGE AT HOME. 2) FAILURE ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN I TRY SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. THE KEY SIMPLY COMES OUT. KEY SHOULD NOT COME OUT IN DRIVE. 3) AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HAD IT DIAGNOSED. AFTER AN HOUR AND A HALF, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT NEEDS A NEW SHIFT SOLENOID ECU, WHICH THEY MUST ORDER.
NHTSA complaint #10358371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN DRIVING HE NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE BOLTS TIGHTENED ON THE STEERING SHAFT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107000.
NHTSA complaint #10297423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1995 TOYOTA AVALON ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *KB A PASSERBY INFORMED THE CONSUMER A ROD MAY HAVE WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED AN OIL LEAK, WHICH THEN DRIPPED ON THE MUFFLER. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0043-91.
NHTSA complaint #10218366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES (BOTH I AND MY WIFE THOUGHT THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP) BUT RATHER THAN STOPPING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED AND WE SLID INTO A STOPPED CAR. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10105670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL SLUDGE IN ENGINE VALVE COVERS RESULTED IN OIL BEING PULLED INTO THE AIR INTAKE THROUGH THE PCV VALVE. THE BAFFLE SYSTEM ON BOTH COVERS WERE REMOVED TO REVEAL NEAR TOTAL BLOCKAGE OF BAKED SLUDGE. THE CAMSHAFT VALLEYS IN THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE COATED WITH UP TO 1/2 OF SLUDGE. THE THROTTLE BODY, AIR CHAMBER, AIR CHAMBER CONTROL VALVE, AND INTAKE PLENUM WERE COATED WITH OILY SLUDGE AS WELL. AIR INTAKE AND CAMSHAFT CHAMBERS REQUIRED MANY HOUR OF CLEANING.
NHTSA complaint #10069186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PARKED MY AVALON IN MY APARTMENT PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR. WHEN I RETURNED THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED COMPLETELY AROUND THE FUSE BOX AND STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THE DASH AND SURROUNDING AREA WAS BURNED OR MELTED. ALSO I MIGHT MENTION THAT I AM AWARE OF NO CHANGES OF THE FUSES BY MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE, AND THE CAR HASN'T HAD ANY MAJOR REPAIRS (OUTSIDE OF FLUID CHANGES, TIRE ALIGNMENTS) SINCE I'VE OWNED IT.
NHTSA complaint #10023699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE IN TWO RESULTING IN PUNCTURED TIRE AND THE COST OF REPLACING BOTH SIDES WITH NEW STRUTS & SPRINGS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY CAR JUST RECENTLY STARTED TO EMIT WHITE SMOKE WHEN WE WOULD START IT, AND THEN IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD OIL SLUDGE/GEL AND THAT I HAD BLOWN A ROD. THEY THEN TOLD ME ABOUT TOYOTA PAYING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT I THEN FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED THAT IT STARTED WITH THE 1997 MODEL. I THEN REQUESTED THAT THEY(TOYOTA) REVIEW THIS FURTHER AND THEY ASKED THAT I SUBMIT MY OIL CHANGE LOG AND DEALER DIAGNOSIS. AFTER THEY REVIEWED IT FURTHER THEY SAID IT WAS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON MY PART AND THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THAT THEY WOULD DO. I HAVE REALLY TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR HAS BEEN GREAT UP TIL NOW. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING FURTHER THAT I SHOULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #10011037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE VEHICLE SAT IN DRIVE WAY, OIL SLUGGED IN THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATED GLUE RAN DOWN ALL 4 DOORS. GLUE WAS COMING FROM DOOR PANELS INSIDE OF CAR. CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF GLUE FUMES. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RIGHT SIDE STEERING RACK SEAL WAS LEAKING, DEALER REPLACED STEERING RACK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #567056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
SIX BOLTS ON THE DRIVETRAIN WHERE IT ENTERS THE ENGINE CAME LOOSE. ALL FELL OUT EXCEPT ABOUT TWO. MECHANIC WHO CHECKED IT SAID IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF IT FELL OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TOYOTA REPLACED IT FOR FREE, ONLY AFTER INTENSE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHO SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #765484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
FROM 60,000 MILES TO THE PRESENT TEN STUDS BROKE OFF ON VARIOUS WHEELS. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8013502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING FOOT SLIPPED FROM BRAKES PEDAL TO GAS PEDAL ONLY TOUCHING GAS PEDAL LIGHTLY, AND VEHICLE SPED UNCONTROLLABLY IN REVERSE. VEHICLE STILL WAS ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #8005830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FLUID LEAKS AT A FAST RATE COMPROMISING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO TURN; MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES IN THE MODELS BUILT BETWEEN 1995-1998; PLEASE CONTACT ME AT X64026.
NHTSA complaint #757980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL COMING FROM THE REAR SEAT AREA WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ABS SENSOR FOR LEFT-REAR WHEEL FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #898156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #749109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCKS - ALLOWING DOORS TO BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE RESULTS IN INABILITY TO EXIT CAR THRU DOOR(S) AFFECTED; PROB REPORTED TO TOYOTA DEALER; THEY UNABLE TO RE-CREATE NOR REPAIR ; HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE; THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM ; HOW CAN I GET TOYOTA'S ATTENTION ?
NHTSA complaint #745588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE CLUNKING NOISES WHENEVER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. ALSO, HAVE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTOR. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP HAD INFORMED MECHANIC OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SUPPOSE TO WORK LIKE THAT. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING LOUDER & WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #881731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE CLUNKING NOISES WHENEVER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. ALSO, HAVE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTOR. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP HAD INFORMED MECHANIC OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SUPPOSE TO WORK LIKE THAT. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING LOUDER & WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #881731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
A CODE HAS BEN 'LOCKED' INTO COMPUTER THAT MAKES ABS SYSTEM INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS CHECKED, AND SAID THEY NEED NEW SENSORS. BUT, TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT SHOP AND IT VERIFIED THAT THE SENSORS WERE FINE.
NHTSA complaint #877164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK DEALER REFUSED TO SHARE ANY COST OF REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #871070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR POWER WINDOWS SPORADICALLY FAIL. CAR HAS 48,000 MILES. TECHNICIAN SAYS "REGULATOR CABLES" ARE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #725441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.