FaultScore report
Owners have filed 121 complaints about the 1996 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between 1996 and 2014. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 25 of 28 worst.
FaultScore 47/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Toyota Avalon.
How this is worked out121
Complaints
11
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
1 complaint reports a death.
117,417 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
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 198,150 miles
5 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 240,000 miles
Median failure at 100,475 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 215,000 miles
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.
ENGINE SEIZURE
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
CONSUMERS ALLEGE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS FAIL WHILE DRIVING.TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE REPLACED TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES, BUT IN ONE INSTANCE THE NEW SWITCH STILL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.DEALER MECHANICS INSTRUCTED THE OWNER TO TURN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ON/OFF TO RESET THE SWITCH.THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH IS CONNECTED IN-LINE WITH THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, THUS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH CAN RESULT A LOSS OF POWER TO THE TURN SIGNAL, WITH A RESULTANT FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TO FUNCTION.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,909.
NHTSA complaint #10448166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED HIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 226,444. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10383276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PULLING UP TO A CURB, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION, THEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE GO INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED BACKWARDS 50 FEET AND PINNED A PEDESTRIAN UNDER THE VEHICLE DRAGGING HIM APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE PEDESTRIAN DIED FROM HIS INJURES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,047. UPDATED 02/19/10 *BF UPDATED 09/02/10*JB UPDATED 9/27/11
NHTSA complaint #10291453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND DROVE HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE SUN ROOF AND SUSTAINED A SEVERE HEAD CONCUSSION. SHE ALSO LOST COMPLETE VISION IN ONE EYE, ACUTE MEMORY LOSS, AND IS UNABLE TO PERFORM CERTAIN FUNCTIONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CANNOT REMEMBER ANY OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION DUE TO HER MEMORY LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10199371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10063675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND CAR JUMPED THE WALL AND HIT A BULIDING. THEN THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWNED, AND CONSUMER PROCEDED TO PARK. CONSUMER FELT THIS CAR COULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE IF THEY WERE CROSSING.
NHTSA complaint #852476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT, I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER USING TWO FEET TO SLOW VEHICLE, AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, IT WAS STILL REVVING. AFTER A HALF HOUR, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND BRING IT HOME. VERY SCARY! IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, AND WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SAFETY. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC, AND SINCE IT WAS NOT DOING IT WHILE THEY HAD IT, THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND FIX IT. WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM TO THIS VEHICLE YEAR, AND MOST WERE ON CAMRY'S. WE DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT FLOOR MATS, AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. WE CALLED TOYOTA TO CHECK ON RECALL INFORMATION. SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON OUR VIN#, AND TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, DUE TO THE MILEAGE, BUT THEY DOCUMENTED MY REPORT IN THEIR CORPORATE RECORDS, AND TO TAKE IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT EVALUATED AND REPAIRED, WHICH WOULD NO DOUBT BE AT OUR EXPENSE SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, AND ARE AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR NOW, MUCH LESS DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO A DEALER OUT OF TOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10609281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT, I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER USING TWO FEET TO SLOW VEHICLE, AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, IT WAS STILL REVVING. AFTER A HALF HOUR, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND BRING IT HOME. VERY SCARY! IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, AND WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SAFETY. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC, AND SINCE IT WAS NOT DOING IT WHILE THEY HAD IT, THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND FIX IT. WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM TO THIS VEHICLE YEAR, AND MOST WERE ON CAMRY'S. WE DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT FLOOR MATS, AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. WE CALLED TOYOTA TO CHECK ON RECALL INFORMATION. SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON OUR VIN#, AND TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, DUE TO THE MILEAGE, BUT THEY DOCUMENTED MY REPORT IN THEIR CORPORATE RECORDS, AND TO TAKE IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT EVALUATED AND REPAIRED, WHICH WOULD NO DOUBT BE AT OUR EXPENSE SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, AND ARE AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR NOW, MUCH LESS DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO A DEALER OUT OF TOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10609281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER, A/C AMPLIFIER, AIR INLET SERVO MOTOR & SERVO LINK & HEATER CONTROLS STOP WORKING AND ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY BY ITSELF. TOYOTA WILL NOT OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA ONLY WANTS MORE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT TELLING YOU EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE INFERIOR PARTS OF THEIR A/C SYSTEM SINCE 1995. THEY MUST HAVE HIGH PROFILE LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON FOR THE NHTSA TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS FOR SO LONG. SOMEBODY MUST BE GETTING PAID SOME KIND OF WAY FOR THE NHTSA TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM AND LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. THE NHTSA SHOULD MAKE TOYOTA COME CLEAN ABOUT THEIR A/C PROBLEMS AND RECALL ALL AUTOMOBILES WITH A/C PROBLEMS. TOYOTA OWNERS SHOULD AT LEAST BE GIVEN A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE A/C SYSTEM TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG AND TELL US IN WRITING WHAT PARTS THAT ARE AFFECTED, AND (THIS IS A LONG SHOT) REPAIR THE A/C FOR FREE. THANK YOU, FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN DEALING WITH THIS ONGOING A/C PROBLEM. AND I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.
NHTSA complaint #10513711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE LONGER WE DROVE THE HIGHER THE ENGINE REVVED. I DECIDED TO RETURN TO MY HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES AWAY THEN THE CAR BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE CORNER TO A SIDE STREET UNTIL THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ENTER MY STREET. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO PARK IT AND IT WOULD NOT STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR SO I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. IT REVVED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10501127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE LONGER WE DROVE THE HIGHER THE ENGINE REVVED. I DECIDED TO RETURN TO MY HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES AWAY THEN THE CAR BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE CORNER TO A SIDE STREET UNTIL THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ENTER MY STREET. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO PARK IT AND IT WOULD NOT STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR SO I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. IT REVVED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10501127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE LONGER WE DROVE THE HIGHER THE ENGINE REVVED. I DECIDED TO RETURN TO MY HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES AWAY THEN THE CAR BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE CORNER TO A SIDE STREET UNTIL THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ENTER MY STREET. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO PARK IT AND IT WOULD NOT STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR SO I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. IT REVVED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10501127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE LONGER WE DROVE THE HIGHER THE ENGINE REVVED. I DECIDED TO RETURN TO MY HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES AWAY THEN THE CAR BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE CORNER TO A SIDE STREET UNTIL THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ENTER MY STREET. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO PARK IT AND IT WOULD NOT STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR SO I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. IT REVVED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10501127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO SEAT BELT LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #10463258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,909.
NHTSA complaint #10448166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED HIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 226,444. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10383276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FILLER PIPE HAS CORRODED, SPILLS FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN FILLING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10363781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PULLING UP TO A CURB, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION, THEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE GO INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED BACKWARDS 50 FEET AND PINNED A PEDESTRIAN UNDER THE VEHICLE DRAGGING HIM APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE PEDESTRIAN DIED FROM HIS INJURES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,047. UPDATED 02/19/10 *BF UPDATED 09/02/10*JB UPDATED 9/27/11
NHTSA complaint #10291453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT HE LOST POWER STEERING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON THE INCIDENT DATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS THERE FOR 14 DAYS. THE AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $984.51. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,290 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,300. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 07/29/08.
NHTSA complaint #10228732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND DROVE HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE SUN ROOF AND SUSTAINED A SEVERE HEAD CONCUSSION. SHE ALSO LOST COMPLETE VISION IN ONE EYE, ACUTE MEMORY LOSS, AND IS UNABLE TO PERFORM CERTAIN FUNCTIONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CANNOT REMEMBER ANY OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION DUE TO HER MEMORY LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10199371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHILD SEAT
BRITAX MARATHON E9L09DS. CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR FACING LOCK OFF CLIPS DO NOT HOLD. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED THE CLIPS POP OFF WITH OR WITHOUT A SEATBELT INSIDE OF IT. *MC
NHTSA complaint #10193181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON AND THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE BURNING A LOT OF OIL AND SENDING OFF A LOT OF SMOKE RELATED TO THE SLUDGE PROBLEM KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE PROBLEM KNOWN ONCE MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10173794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR AVALONS OF 1997, BUT NOT FOR THIS YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10081650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PURCHASED USED 1996 TOYOTA AVALON IN MARCH 2002 WITH 72,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME I ALSO PURCHASED A 2 YEAR/24000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH UNIVERSAL UNDERWRITERS. ENGINE FAILED IN EARLY DECEMBER 2003 AT 92000 MILES DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP IN OIL PAN. OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. TOYOTA NOT COVERING ENGINE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT IS NOT A 97 MODEL. EXTENDED WARRANTY NOT COVING BECAUSE FAILURE CAUSED BY "FLUID CONTAMINATION".
NHTSA complaint #10067947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1996 TOYOTA AVALON ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10069351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE: ENGINE SLUDGE BUILDUP HAS RUINED THE ENGINE DESPITE REASONABLE MAINTENENCE. ENGINE MUST NOW BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. ENGINE HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR THE LAST YEAR OR TWO. DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT TOYOTA LETTER DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN MAY OF 1996 AND TOYOTA HAS AN AUGUST OF 1996 MANUFACTUING CUT-OFF DATE. I ALSO OWN A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA WHICH IS BEGINING TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. FROM ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESEARCH AT LEAST PART OF THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE HEAD. I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF CARS IN THE LAST TWN YEARS WHICH I HAVE DRIVEN WELL INTO HIGH MILES WITH THE SAME MAINTENECE ATTENTION AS THIS ONE BUT HAVE NOT HAD THE SLUDGE PROBLEM BEFORE. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO PICK UP AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST.
NHTSA complaint #10069929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON THAT HAS THE OIL SLUDGLE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH CORPORATE OFFICE OF TOYOTA AND THEY CONTACTED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO ASKED FOR RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES AND SAID THEY WILL REVIEW CASE, RECEIPTS WERE PROVIDED AND AFTER BEING REVIEWED THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO HAS TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 5000.00 TO REPAIR WHEN I OWE 5020.00 ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANKS, CHERYL FOLEY
NHTSA complaint #10070266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE CUT OUT/STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY WITH NO WARNING. PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED A WHILE, TURNED ENGINE BACK ON AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR FIRST TIME. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATES IT IS OIL SLUDGE DUE TO FAILURE TO CHANGE OIL FREQUENTLY ENOUGH. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 4000 MILES. GETTING NO SATISFACTION FROM DEALER, WHO INDICATES MINIMUM REPAIR COST WILL BE $3300 - $3500 FOR REBUILT ENGINE. MADE COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CORPORATE, WHO ALSO ARE NOT PROVIDING ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME. GETTING RUN AROUND AS COMPLAINT WAS FILED, WHICH IS BEING SENT BACK TO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR HANDLING. REGIONAL OFFICE ALREADY INDICATED THAT THEY PROBABLY AREN'T GOING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE 1996 MODEL ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE OIL SLUDGE RECALL ON 1997 - 2002 MODELS. ENGINE HAS JUST OVER 63,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ONE YEAR OLD WITH 29,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY 34,000-35,000 MILES HAS BEEN PUT ON THE CAR IN THE LAST SIX YEARS OF MY OWNERSHIP. I FEEL VERY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, AND PLACED NOT ONLY IN HARMS WAY BY A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, BUT WITH A FINANCIAL BURDEN NOW AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10070440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10063675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE CAM HEAD BROKE OFF. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE WAS REQUIRED.*AK THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED. WHEN PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE DIED. THE OIL WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CAM HEAD BLEW OFF. CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T HELP SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER NOTED WHEN THE ENGINE GET REPAIRED, SHE WILL SELL THE VEHICLE AND NEVER RECOMMEND IT TO NO ONE ELSE. HER MECHANIC STATED THE CAM HAD NO OIL IN IT, YET THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF OIL. THE OIL PUMP FAILED COSTING THE CONSUMER $6000. DOLLARS. SHE WAS INFORMED SINCE SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE VEHICLE ROUTINELY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10046698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
DURING THE WINTER SEASON THE DEFROSTER FAILED. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10046584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.