12 of the
155 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Avalon are about the
braking system — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
295,000 miles.
I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE AT 7:45 A.M HEADING HIGHWAY 72 WEST. MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATED FROM 75MPH TO 100 MPH. I PUSHED, PRESSED, AND PUMPED MY BRAKES THAT WOULDN'T WORK. I PRESSED DOWN MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH DID NOT WORK EITHER. I TRAVELED ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE CAR JUST SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP SMOKING FROM MY TIRES AND UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR SCREAMING THANKING GOD FOR MY LIFE HE SPARED. I WAS TRAUMATIZED AT THIS POINT. I DID COME TO MYSELF AND DIALED 911 FOR THE FIRE TRUCKS BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SMOKING SO BAD.NEXT DAY TOYOTA COMPANY SAID IT WAS MY COIL PACK AND CHARGED ME TO FIX IT BUT I AM NOW TERRIFIED OF THIS CAR AND REFUSE TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I HAVE SINCE HAD SEVERE NIGHTMARES EVERY NIGHT SINCE THIS ACCIDENT THAT COULD'VE BEEN DEADLY.
NHTSA complaint #10578759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weston, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/ LEAKING OIL, AND FRONT STRUT SUPPORT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. VEHICLE WAS RATTLING CONSTANTLY FROM TIME OF PURCHASE. ALSO, HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS SOUND. ONLY AFTER BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED A SECOND TIME KNOCKING SOUND STOPPED. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED WHEN MAKING TURNS. CONSUMER FELT UNSAFE IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #876830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES HAVE A BANG NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #783665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FEEL SOFT AND MUSHY, FRONT BRAKES APROX 9.5MM REMAIN AND REARS APROX 9MM REMAIN.TEST DROVE AND ADJUST PARK BRAKE. ADJUST BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT PEDAL TO LOW, CHECKED AND RESET PEDAL TO SPECS, PER CUST REP AIR MANUAL. 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR
NHTSA complaint #9000593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS
BRAKES FEEL SOFT AND MUSHY, FRONT BRAKES APROX 9.5MM REMAIN AND REARS APROX 9MM REMAIN.TEST DROVE AND ADJUST PARK BRAKE. ADJUST BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT PEDAL TO LOW, CHECKED AND RESET PEDAL TO SPECS, PER CUST REP AIR MANUAL. 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR
NHTSA complaint #9000593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
REAR CYLINDER HEAD FAILURE CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK ON TO SPARK PLUGS. YH
NHTSA complaint #608677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
HAND BRAKE RELEASE FAILED CAUSING THE LIGHT ON DASH BOARD TO SHOW BRAKE WAS ON WHEN NOT. YH
NHTSA complaint #607377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brea, CACrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FADED WHEN STOPPING. NLM,
NHTSA complaint #605890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
SPEED SENSOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
THE ABS CONTROLLER FAILED. THIS PART CONTROLLS THE ABS BRAKING ACTION. ACCORDING TO OTHER REPAIR SOURCES IT IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THIS PART TO FAIL. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT SINCE IT CONTROLS THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTUER OF THE COMPONENT IS BOSCHE AND THERE HAVE BEEN SAFETY BULLETINS THROUGH NHTSA ABOUT THESE PARTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WHO WERE BOTH CONTACTED WON'T EVEN DISCUSS ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNIT. THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED IT . THE BRAKES APPEARED TO FAIL CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #703969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkridge, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE HYDROPLANES ON THE SLIGHTEST WET PAVEMENT. ALSO PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DUE TO WRONG TIRES ON VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES WITH AN ALTERNATE MAKE DESIGNED FOR THIS VEHICLE. ALSO ABS BRAKES ENGAGED MANY TIMES DUE TO THE SLIDING.
NHTSA complaint #534132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valle, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FAULTY REASSEMBLY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #521594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.