25 of the
220 complaints about the 2000 Toyota Avalon are about the
braking system — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
42,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the brake line was leaking brake fluid. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the subframe and rear axle were rusted. The contact had replaced the brakes. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 00V154000 (Suspension). The contact called the independent mechanic, who determined that a brake line replacement was needed. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 278,000.
NHTSA complaint #11655498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTER BRAKE SENSOR, AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY, AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ UPDATED 05/04/18*JB
NHTSA complaint #10808877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSAN Juan, PR
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS IS AN INTERMITEND PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENS WHEN STARTING ON THE CAR. TO TURN THE CAR ON I HAVE TO TAKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND FORCEFULLY TURN IT LEFT AND RIGHT. MOVE ALSO THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL. I ALSO TRY TO PRESS THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS ALSO CHECKED BY A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. THE BATTERY AND THE CABLES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. NOW IT IS HAPPENING VERY OFTEN AND CREATING A SECURITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. I CHECKED THE RECALLS FOR THIS CAR ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SITUATION I DID NOT FIND AN ANSWER ALTHOUGH I HAVE READ LOTS OF RELATED COMPLAINS. I AM PLANNING TO CHANGE THE IGNITION OR THE STARTER BUT PROBABLY IS A TRY AND ERROR SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10745542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,500 milesGainesville, GACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A RETAIL STORE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH ENGINE AT HIGHEST RPM.... FRONT END HITTING CONCRETE WALL . POLICE AND EMT'S CALLED AND REPORT GIVEN. RELATIVELY MINOR HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES TO 88 YEAR OLD DRIVER. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STEEL CABLE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHERE IT IS LOCATED JUST INSIDE THE FIRE WALL WAS STUCK IN THE FULL ACCELERATE POSITION. THE LOCATION OF THIS CABLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RESULTING CRASH. THERE WERE NO CARPET PADS OR OTHER SUCH ITEMS WHICH COULD HAVE INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ( AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED IN PAST HIGH SPEED TOYOTA CRASHES).FURTHER, THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND MOVING TOWARDS THE BRAKE AT THE TIME OF ACCELERATION BUT THE DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS ONLY ABOUT 10 FEET BEFORE THE CRASH!
NHTSA complaint #10584676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE FRONT SIDE OF HIS FOOT BECAME PARTIALLY STUCK BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE HIS FOOT. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10514533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,500 milesTavares, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING BETWEEN 10-15 MPH IN AN OPEN PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (RPMS BETWEEN 7-8). APPLIED BRAKES TO NO AVAIL. WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT TO PARK, THE CAR ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. DID MANAGE TO GET CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. MOST HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE. VERY FORTUNATE AND BLESSED NO OTHER PERSONS, VEHICLE OR BUILDING WAS IN OUR PATH. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT IDLED NORMAL AND EXHIBITED NO OTHER ACCELERATIONS WHEN DRIVING. BROUGHT CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER. DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. DEALER CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP. AND NOTIFIED US NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS WE CONTACTED CORPORATE PERSONALLY TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. AS OF THIS DATE, WE NOW HAVE A CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED FROM CORPORATE AND THE CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10460079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,254 milesMarblehead, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, ONE TIME ONLY, RESULTING IN SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. I WAS AT ENTRANCE TO CAR WASH SPEAKING TO THE ATTENDANT WHEN THE CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED. MY CAR WAS STOPPED BY HITTING THE REAR END OF A JEEP AT THE END OF THE CAR WASH. THE REASON WAS INEXPLICABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10314973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GIG Harbor, WACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ON MAY 22, 2009, I BACKED MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON INTO A PARKING AREA NEXT TO A SHORT PRIVATE ROAD LOCATED ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN A HIGH CLIFF ABOVE A BEACH. AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, I DECIDED TO MOVE IT ABOUT A FOOT FURTHER OFF THE ROAD. SO I BACKED UP VERY SLOWLY UNTIL THE BUMPER JUST TOUCHED THE CLIFF BEHIND ME. I BRAKED, THE CAR STOPPED, AND THEN I STEPPED VERY LIGHTLY ON THE GAS PEDAL, INTENDING TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER MOVING FORWARD A FEW INCHES. TO MY HORROR, THE CAR SHOT FORWARD RAPIDLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO TURN IT TO THE LEFT AND THUS AVOIDED PLUNGING OVER THE CLIFF BELOW ME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, FISH-TAILING UP A SLIGHT GRADE. THEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR AND TURNED UPSIDE-DOWN ON THE ROAD. I SUFFERED BROKEN VERTEBRAE IN MY BACK AND NECK AND HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR 12 DAYS AND WEAR A HEAD-NECK BRACE FOR TWO MONTHS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10303194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PROBLEMS WITH CONSUMER GETTING LOCKED IN VEHICLE AS WELL AS BRAKE PROBLEMS. *MR THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN, NEITHER WOULD THE KEY TURN THE IGNITION. THE BRAKE PROBLEM REMAINED UNRESOLVED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONSUMER TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ONLY WAY THE VEHICLE WOLD STOP, WAS TO TURN THE KEY AND THE SHUT THE MOTOR OFF. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE IGNITION PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE BRAKE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10076020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,200 milesBrooklyn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR BRAKES AND 1 ROTOR. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN TO 50% CAPACITY.
NHTSA complaint #10025014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,200 milesBrooklyn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR BRAKES AND 1 ROTOR. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN TO 50% CAPACITY.
NHTSA complaint #10025014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,500 milesMaple Grove, MNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PULLED IN DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PROCEEDED TO TRY TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK. WHEN I HIT THE BUTTON, MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DASHED FORWARD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE GARAGE DOOR, FRAME AND WALL. MY DEALER SAID IT COULDN'T HAPPEN AND WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10021110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST 99% OF THE BRAKES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Grove, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WHEELS ON THE RIGHT SIDE LOCK UP DURING DRY WEATHER. ALSO, IN WET WEATHER THE TIRES WOULD GIVE A QUICK SPIN. CONSUMER IS ASKING A FULL REFUND OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #564985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL GLIDE INSTEAD OF STOPPING WITHOUT WARNING.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8003122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE TRYING TO TURN KEY IN IGNITION SWITCH OFF DOORS AND WINDOWS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT BRAKES FEEL SPONGY, ALSO WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES ACCELERATE BY ITSELF.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #8003124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON XLS SUFFER FROM A BRAKE PAD CLICKING NOISE THAT CAN NOT BE ELIMINATED. TOYOTA ISSUED TECHINCAL SERVICE BULLETIN BR004-00 DATED 10/20/00. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN REVERSE I HEAR THIS NOISE, THEN AGAIN WHEN THE DRIVING DIRECTION CHANGES TO GO FORWARD. THIS NOSIE OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, ESPECIALLY IF THE VEHICLE SITS OVER 30 MINUTES. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT WENT TO THE SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES BEFORE REGENCY MOTOR GAVE UP. I'VE BEEN THROUGH ARBITRATION, THE ARBITRATOR FAILED ME MISERABLY. HE DECIDED IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. HOWEVER, TOYOTA CAN'T REPAIR THE CAR. SO HOW DOES HE KNOW IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS NOT ELIMINATED THE NOISE. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S BULLETIN ALL MODELS FROM "90 TO 00" COULD SUFFER FROM THIS BRAKE PAD CLICKING NOISE. TOYOTA HAS MERELY CREATED A BAND-AID FOR THE NOISE (THE BULLETIN ADVISES THAT A DIC BRAKE CALIPER GREASE IS TO BE APPLIED), BUT THEY HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. AND THE PROPOSED FIX ONLY WILL LAST 6 MONTH TO 1 YEAR. IT DID NOT LAST A WEEK FOR ME. AS A CONSUMER WITH A CAR THAT IS STILL UNDER ITS 3YEAR/36000 MILE WARRANTY, I FEEL CHEATED. PLEASE LOOK INTO TOYOTA'S UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #756266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morristown, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER PROCEEDING ON A GREEN LIGHT, VEHICLE IN FRONT CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP, CONSUMER COMMENCED TO APPLY BRAKES, AND VEHICLE AT FIRST STOPPED, AND THEN LEAPED AND REAR ENDED FRONT VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #897817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES TAKE TOO LONG TO STOP BEFORE ABS KICKS IN. PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. FRONT END HAS A GRABBING FEELING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WITH SERVICE TECHNICIAN, AND IT WAS DOCUMENTED AS OKAY.
NHTSA complaint #895030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES TAKE TOO LONG TO STOP BEFORE ABS KICKS IN. PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. FRONT END HAS A GRABBING FEELING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WITH SERVICE TECHNICIAN, AND IT WAS DOCUMENTED AS OKAY.
NHTSA complaint #895030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
POWER STEERING PREMATURELY STIFFENS, AND CONSUMER CAN FEEL GRABBING AT THE FRONT END FOR A SHORT TIME. STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE AT SPEEDS 50 AND OVER. DEALER SAYS ABS COULD BE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #895069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE FRONT END WAS OKAY AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE .FOUND ENGINE CHECK AND ABS LIGHTS ON IN THE DASH,AND DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE INSPECTION AND I WOULD NEED TO BRING THE CAR BACK FOR THIS PROBLEM.I HAVE WAITED FOR PARTS AND HAVE BEEN BACK TO THEM AT LEAST 7 TIMES WITH THE CONTINUED RELATED PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #737290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lanham, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER HEARS SQUEAKING NOISE IN BRAKES IN FORWARD AND REVERSE MOTION, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM WITHIN THE SYSTEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #554063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lanham, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER HEARS SQUEAKING NOISE IN BRAKES IN FORWARD AND REVERSE MOTION, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM WITHIN THE SYSTEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #554063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TXCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE OUT OF THE SUBDIVISION TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 06:40. I WENT THROUGH 3 STOP SIGNS WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEMS BREAKING. WHEN MY WIFE STOPPED AT THE 4TH SIGN, MY BREAK PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HIT HER REAR END AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THERE SCRATCHES AND DENTS IN BOTH BUMPERS. I CREPT BACK HOME AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT ALL THREE STOP SIGNS. THE CAR STOPPED SLOWLY, BUT THE BREAK PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR EACH TIME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. A TOYOTA FACTOR REPRESENTATIVE EXAMINED THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2000. I RECIEVED A CALL FROM TOYOTA TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THIS IS THE BIGGEST BUNCH OF BULL SINCE FIRESTONE SAID THEY MAKE GOOD TIRES. I TALKED TO THE OWNER OF THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND TOLD HIM THAT I HAD LOST COFINDENCE IN THE CAR AND TOYOTA, AND WANTED MY MONEY BACK. HE SAID THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS AN "ALLEGED" BREAK FAILURE THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES (ADMINISTERS THE TEXAS LEMON LAW). I WILL PERSUE THESE AVENUES OF RECOURSE, BUT ALSO WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA'S LAWYERS HAVE CONTROL OF THIS SITUATION, AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY WILL ADMIT THAT THEIR PRODUCE IS FAULTY. DOES THE NHYSA HAVE ANY OTHER REPORTS OF BREAK FAILURES ON NEW TOYOTA AVALON'S? I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. THANKS MIKE VORNDAM
NHTSA complaint #732202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.