2006 Toyota Avalon engine problems

ENGINE

ON JUNE 7, 2019, I WAS DRIVING THE AVALON, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREET. WITH THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, I WAS TRAUMATIZED AND DID MY BEST TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND HOOKED UP TO A CODE READER, WHICH YIELDED CODES P0345, P0300, P0302, P0304, P0306. WE DID FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS AND DISCOVERED THE 3 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE VARIABLE-VALVE TIMING (VVT) GEAR TO THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT CAME LOOSE, THESE BOLTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TEMPER-RESISTANT AND NEVER BE REMOVED WHICH LED ME TO BELIEVE THE RESULT OF ENGINE DYING IS CAUSED BY SERIOUS MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN DEFECTS. PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED THREE PICTURES SHOWING 3 BOLTS LAYING NEXT TO VVT GEAR, VVT GEAR LOOSELY HELD ON AND THE VIBRATION OF BOLT LEFT CUTTING MARK ON THE GEAR, AND ALL INTAKE CAM ROCKERS FALLING OUT. I DID MORE RESEARCH AND CONCLUDED THE ROOT CAUSE OF ENGINE STOPPED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IN OUR AVALON IS IDENTICAL TO TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL 13V-395 IN LEXUS VEHICLES 2006 TO 2011. PLEASE FIND ATTACHED TWO DOCUMENTS, RCRIT-13V395-3180.PDF ON RECENT RECALL FOR TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL 13V-395, RCDNN-13V395-1839.PDF ON DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FROM TOYOTA TO NHTSA ON LEXUS INTAKE-SIDE VARIABLE-VALVE TIMING (VVT) SYSTEM PART 573. ON JUNE 27, 2019, I CALLED STEVENS CREEK TOYOTA AND TOYOTA HQ AND LOGGED CASE [XXX]. I WAS INFORMED BY TOYOTA THERE'S NO RECALL FOR AVALON WITH THE VIN, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NO FACTORY WARRANTY (CURRENTLY 153K MILES), AND NO EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH ENGINE STALL FOR AVALON. AS A RESULT, WE NEED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IN OUR OWN EXPENSE WHICH REQUIRES ENGINE REBUILT AS ENGINE STALL HAS CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS APPALLED BY TOYOTA FOR LACK OF INITIATION TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY RISK IN OUR AVALON AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11228871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2006 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VVT-I OIL HOSE RUPTURE AND SEIZED ENGINE FAILURE. *SMD

NHTSA complaint #10805787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AT 45,000 MILES, COIL FAILED. AT 45,100 MILES, A SECOND COIL FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #11066952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

STARTED CAR AND SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE EXHAUST WHILE STATIONARY. CHECKED OIL LEVEL AND FOUND TO BE WITHIN NORMAL RANGE. WHEN DRIVING, CAR WAS SLUGGISH UNDER ACCELERATION WITH INTERMITTENT SMOKE. TOOK CAR TO SAN MARCOS TOYOTA AND THEY FOUND THE ENGINE TO BE SLUDGED AND REQUIRE AN OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE ($4900) OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE ($6900). THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 140,000 MILES. WE ENDED UP HAVING AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OVERHAUL/CLEANUP THE TOP SIDE OF ENGINE FOR $4000. I HAVE THE ESTIMATES AND RECEIPTS FOR THE WORK IF NEEDED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON-LINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER AVALON OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPE THAT TOYOTA WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE POOR ENGINEERING OF THIS V6 ENGINE AND ISSUE A RECALL AND REIMBURSE THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10894254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOAT DETACHED AND FRACTURED THE ENGINE'S AXLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOAT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE'S AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #10862009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES MOVE ABOUT 10 FEET AND THEN HESITATE FOR ABOUT 1 TO 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN ACCELERATE NORMALLY. WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS UNDER 35 THE CAR HESISTATES BADLY WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THEN "JUMPS" FORWARD. SAME THING HAPPENS ON THE DOWNSIDE TO THE POINT THAT IT FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO STALL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO SAID THERE HAD BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CONDITION. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND NOT NORMAL.

NHTSA complaint #10806674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

HEAD GASKET LEAKS BOTH SIDES. UNDER REPAIR. POOR DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING. SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS MILEAGE LEVEL. MY REPAIR SERVICE INDICATED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL TOYOTA PRODUCTS. CONCERN FOR ACCIDENT POTENTIAL SHOULD HEAD GASKET BLOW AT HIGH SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE CONDITIONS DO NOT ALLOW FOR A SAFE EXIT FROM TRAVEL LANES TO SHOULDER. NOTE: VEHICLE REGISTERED UNDER MY WIFE MARIA'S NAME.

NHTSA complaint #10743610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INDEPENDENTLY AND ABNORMALLY INCREASED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #10578303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE VSC AND SLIP LIGHTS ON THE DASH. HAD IT SCANNED AND THE CODES ARE P2195 AND P0138. I AM HAVING A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS, I FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THIS PROBLEM OR ATLEAST MOST OF IT. IT'S $1700 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT MANY AVALON OWNERS ARE OR HAVE HAD WITH THIS!!! 06 TOYOTA AVALON - EDMUNDS ANSWERS JAN 10, 2009 - P2195 - OXYGEN (A/F) SENSOR SIGNAL STUCK LEAN (BANK 1 SENSOR 1) ... P0138 - OXYGEN SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH VOLTAGE (BANK 1 SENSOR 2) ..... AFTER OWNING A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2006 AVALON FOR 1 MONTH, THE "CHECK ENGINE" ... 1 (RH) EXHAUST MANIFOLD" IS THAT THE P0031 CODE WAS ON ONE NOT BOTH AF SENSORS. YOU VISITED THIS PAGE ON 3/19/14. P2195 TOYOTA - ENGINE-CODES.COM ENGINE-CODES.COM/P2195_TOYOTA.HTML' 2005-2007 TOYOTA AVALON, 2007-2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SERVICE BULLETIN OBDII CODE P2195 ... 2005-2006 TOYOTA COROLLA SERVICE BULLETIN OBDII CODE P2195. YOU VISITED THIS PAGE ON 3/19/14. TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN INDEX - AUTOPRO IMPORT REPAIR APR 2, 2013 - SOME AVALON CAMRY AND SOLARA VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A RATTLE TYPE NOISE COMING FROM ... SOME 2006 - 2009 MODEL YEAR CAMRY AND 2007 - 2009 MODEL YEAR CAMRY HV .... A MIL 'ON' CONDITION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2420 STORED. ..... MIL "ON" DTC P2195, P0138, AND/OR P0031(TSB-0066-10). YOU VISITED THIS PAGE ON 3/19/14. 1 COMPLAINTS: 2005 TOYOTA AVALON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/.../AVALON/2005/.../CHECK_ENGINE_LIGHT_IS_ON.S...' MAR 10, 2014 - THE 2005 TOYOTA AVALON HAS 1 COMPLAINTS FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ... WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES = P0138 O2 SENSOR/P2195 AF SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #10573840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THIS CARS ENGINE HAD TO BE PULLED OUT FOR HEAD GASKETS. I WAS CHARGED 4000.00 WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. A YEAR LATER THEY GAVE ME THE MONEY BACK. THEN I HAD EXTERNAL HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINES REPLACED AND THE GASKETS SEVERAL TIMES. THIS CAR IS ONE OF THE WORST CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED.I TAKE CARE OF MY CARS TO THE EXSTREME.I AM A DIESEL SPECIALIST FOR THE STATE.I FINALLY HAD TO GET RID OF THE CAR.I WROTE TOYOTA A LETTER AND GOT ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPATHY OR UNDERSTANDING WHATSOEVER.

NHTSA complaint #10486679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ON 03/22/2010 TOYOTA REPLACED A VVTI OIL HOSE UNDER RECALL # 90K BECAUSE THE RUBBER PORTION OF THE HOSE WAS SUBJECT TO FAILURE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE OIL TO SPAY OUT. ON 07/24/2012 THE REPLACEMENT HOSE RUPTURED CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO SPRAY OUT. THE ENGINE OIL SOAKED THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10467778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE WHEN COLD - WHEN THE WIFE NOTICES THIS PROBLEM, IT IS PASS TIME TO REPORT IT ! I HAVE NOTICED IT FOR YEARS ! JUST GETTING WORST.

NHTSA complaint #10450782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2006 TOYOTA AVALON CT DEALER QUOTED $1800 FOR TIMING COVER OIL LEAK; 17 HOURS OF LABOR, INEXPENSIVE PART; 3 RECALLS TO DATE WITH THIS VEHICLE-EXTREME INCONVENIENCE AND SUSPECT OF ANY ISSUES ON THIS CAR AND TOYOTA RECORD IS HORRENDOUS PER MULTIPLE SAFETY AND OTHER RECALLS. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS TIMING COVER RESEAL EXACT ISSUE. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS SUPPOSEDLY ISSUED IN 2007 EG 019-07. NHTSA BULLETIN 10021531. WHEN WILL CONSUMERS GET PROTECTION ON THESE FURTHER TOYOTA ISSUES?? I WILL RAISE THIS TO HIGHEST LEVELS.

NHTSA complaint #10400925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WE SPOTTED DROPS OF OIL COMING FROM OUR TOYOTA AVALON 2006. A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A SLOW OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT TIMING COVER. THE DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES IT WILL COST OVER $2,200 TO RESEAL OR REPLACE THE COVER WHICH COSTS ABOUT $50. WE HAVE DECIDED, AS OF NOW, TO NOT SPEND THE MAJOR DOLLARS INVOLVED, AND KEEP A EYE ON THE OIL IN THE CAR. WE HAVE ALSO RESEARCHED THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM IN THE 2006 AVALON, AND HAVE FOUND NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, ITEM NUMBER 10021531, AND 2006 TOYOTA AVALON, SERVICE BULLETIN #: 01907. THE SUMMARY OF THIS BULLETIN READS: "ENGINE OIL LEAK FROM FRONT TIMING COVER." THE BULLETIN SEEMS TO BE DESCRIBING OUR PROBLEM EXACTLY. WHEN A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE MONEY INVOLVED WITH THE REPAIR ($2,200) TO THE PART TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ($50), THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE 2006 AVALON'S DESIGN AND/OR THE SITUATION CALLS FOR A TOYOTA RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10355804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

IN JULY 2009 OUR 2006 TOYOTA AVALONXL HAD A VVT-I OIL HOSE EXPLODE CAUSING OIL DAMAGE AND PERSONAL REPAIR EXPENSE OF $277.67. I WAS NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA OF A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS HOSE. IT STATED IF ALREADY REPLACED THEN TO SEND IN THE REPAIR ORDER, PROOF OF PAYMENT AND PROOF OF OWNERSHIP FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THIS WAS SUBMITTED TO TOYOTA ON JANUARY 11, 2010. NO RESPONSE WAS RECEIVED UNTIL I CONTACTED THEM AFTER 71 DAYS. AFTER A LENGTHY DELAY, I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED BY AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER. MY COMPLAINT IS I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES AND REPAIRS DUE TO TOYOTA'S DEFECTIVE PARTS WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT AFTER TOYOTA ADMITTED THEIR PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10331411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL MY OIL FROM A RUPTURED OIL LINE WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE 2 MILES AWAY. APPARENTLY TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BASED ON OTHER NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS BASED ON WEB COMMENTS. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT NEVER WENT ON AND I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS SENT TO OTHER AVALON OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #10330172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1. I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT, FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, DOING NOTHING BUT WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. SUDDENLY I REALIZED MY CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD, SO I PUSHED THE BRAKES HARDER. THE PEDAL WENT DOWN FURTHER BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD. ALL OF THIS TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS. THEN I HEARD AND FELT THE ENGINE ACCELERATING VERY LOUDLY. JUST AT THAT MOMENT THE LIGHT CHANGED, AND TRAFFIC SPED AHEAD. WITHOUT THINKING, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE STOPPED ROARING, THE CAR ACCELERATED NORMALLY AND THE BRAKES WERE RESPONSIVE. 2. THIS WAS THE ONLY INCIDENT. 3. I WAS ACTUALLY ON MY WAY TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, SO I CONTINUED ON MY WAY. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER, I HAD THE PERSON WHO MET ME AT MY CAR CHECK THE FLOOR MAT BEFORE I WALKED AWAY. HE SAID IT WAS FINE. TOYOTA PERFORMED ALL RECALL ACTIONS, ASKED IF I WANTED THE COMPUTER RE-PROGRAMMED TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO OVERRIDE EVERYTHING ELSE (I SAID YES), AND FILLED OUT THE FORMS AND PERFORMED ACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN SUA INCIDENT. THEY GAVE ME A LOANER AND THE NEXT DAY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WOULD BE RELEASED. I ASKED FOR, AND RECEIVED A COPY OF THE FORM FOR AN SUA INCIDENT, BUT IT ONLY HAS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TECHNICIAN AND NO WRITTEN RESULTS, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS FOUND AND WHAT WAS DONE, OTHER THAN NORMAL RECALL WORK. I AM FILLING THIS OUT BECAUSE I NO LONGER TRUST TOYOTA, AND NOW I AM AFRAID. IT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, AND I WANT TO BE PART OF THE RECORD OF INCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10329106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING IN THE ENGINE AREA. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING AND WITHIN SECONDS, RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN THE RPMS. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED WITH A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 06/04/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HAD A HIGH IDLE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE INTO GEAR AT 10-15 MPH AND THEN CATCH WOULD CATCH UP AND DISENGAGE AND THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN. UPDATED 10/14/10

NHTSA complaint #10319129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN SLOWING MY 2006 AVALON FOR TURN, SPEED BUMP, ETC. AND THEN ACCELERATING THERE IS OFTEN A LAG IN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGING AND WHEN IT DOES THE CAR LURCHES. I HAVE COMPLAINED MANY TIMES TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ABOUT THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. AFTER A YEAR OR SO 1 DEALER SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED AN ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE WHICH THEY PERFORMED. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE BUT HAS RETURNED. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT RECALLS AND STORIES ABOUT POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS I WANTED TO ADD MY STORY TO THE LIST. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE LAG IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, ESPECIALLY IF IT WORSENS. FURTHER, THE ONLY WAY I KNOW ABOUT THIS LATEST RECALL IS THROUGH THE NEWS - TOYOTA HAS NOT NOTIFIED ME DIRECTLY. THIS MAKES THE THIRD RECALL ON THIS CAR - FLOOR MATS, VVT-I OIL HOSE AND NOW ACCELERATOR! NEEDLES TO SAY - I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE AND WILL SERIOUSLY TRY TO CONVINCE MY WIFE TO TAKE OUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE IN THE FUTURE! *CN

NHTSA complaint #10306926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE BROKE. AC LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, THEN CAR STARTED LEAVING OIL PATHS IN AND OUT OF DRIVEWAY. DEALER FOUND NO AC PROBLEM, ATTRIBUTED TO OIL ALL OVER THE UPPER ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEY STATED THREE OTHER LINES RECENTLY REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10292299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2006 TOYOTA AVALON OIL RETURN LINE TO ENGINE MADE OF RUBBER BREAK AT HIGH SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10290571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED WHEN THE OIL LINE APPARENTLY LET GO SPEWING OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO SMOKE. ALL THE OIL DRAINED FROM THE ENGINE AS A RESULT, CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE LINE MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA ALERTING DEALERS TO THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL. A REVIEW OF EDMUNDS AND OTHER WEBSITES SHOWS A LONG LIST OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10289664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY WIFE WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. SHE BACKED OUT OF THE SPOT THE CAR WAS IN AND STARTED TO GO FORWARD. THE CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND WENT IN CIRCLES UNTIL IT FINALLY WENT UP ON A CURB IN THE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA complaint #10289678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CAR HAS MAJOR OIL LEAKAGE ON MY 300+ MILE DRIVE DOWN TO LA FROM SAN JOSE. THAT MORNING, THE CAR IS DRY AND FINE. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF OIL LOSS. THE OIL LIGHT DID NOT EVEN GO ON. LUCKILY WE TOOK A PIT STOP AT COALINGA, WHERE WE NOTICE BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE WAS EVERY WHERE (AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED). WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL, THERE WAS NO OIL LEFT AS INDICATED ON THE DIPSTICK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA, WHICH DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A PENDING TSB ON THIS LINE, SO THEY CHARGED US FOR REPLACING IT. UP UNTIL NOW, I'M AFRAID TO TAKE THE CAR FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVE. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WAS DONE DUE TO LACK OF OIL. AFTER I GOT HOME, I CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER, BUT THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT, UNLESS I PUT OUT MONEY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. MY COMPLAINT AND CONCERN IS THAT THE PART THAT GOT REPLACED IS THE SAME PART THAT FAILED. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, I'M AFRAID THIS PROBLEM WILL REPEAT AGAIN IN ABOUT ANOTHER 44000 MILES, WHICH THE CAR IS ALREADY OUT OF WARRANTY. ALSO, THE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, SO IT PROVES VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON THE LONG TRIP.

NHTSA complaint #10288539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE NY I-87 IN MY 2006 TOYOTA AVALON FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES WHEN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO, THE "CHECK OIL" LIGHT STARTED BLINKING SLOWLY AT FIRST, THEN AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS IT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY. BY THIS TIME I HAD PULLED OFF INTO A GAS STATION. AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE STATION THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. AFTER IT WAS PARKED, I CHECKED THE DIPSTICK AND THERE WAS NO OIL REMAINING IN THE ENGINE. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR, INCLUDING INSIDE OF WHEELS AND BRAKES WAS COMPLETELY COATED WITH OIL AS WELL AS THE BACK OF THE TRUNK. PRESUMABLY FROM THE SPRAY UNDERNEATH WHILE TRAVELING @ 65-70MPH. I THEN PURCHASED 3 QUARTS OF OIL, PUT IT IN THE ENGINE AND IT DRAINED ONTO THE GROUND. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE IS A PIN HOLE IN THE RUBBER SECTION OF THE OIL LINE. THE USE OF A RUBBER HOSE FOR A PRESSURIZED FLAMMABLE LIQUID SYSTEM IN THIS LOCATION IS ABSOLUTELY RECKLESS. AT A MINIMUM, IT SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF ARMORED OR SHIELDED HOSE. I'M AMAZED THE CAR DIDN'T START ON FIRE FROM BEING DOUSED WITH FIVE QUARTS OF OIL LEAKING FROM THE RUPTURED HOSE. THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2006 AVALONS AND HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED. THE ENGINE REPAIRS CAUSED BY THIS DEFECT WILL COST ME UP TO $5000. TODAY I FOUND AT LEAST A 1000 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM. I WOULD HATE TO SEE A DEATH RESULT IN THIS ISSUE CAUSED BY FIRE DUE TO HOT OIL.

NHTSA complaint #10288570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CAR A/C STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND I SOON LOST MOST OF MY OIL. I WAS LEFT ON A SUNDAY WITHOUT MUCH OIL AND HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE REPLACED THE OIL LINE AT NO CHARGE AND LUCKILY I HAD AAA TOWING INSURANCE. I WAS OUT ON THE ROAD WITHOUT OIL IN THE CAR!!!

NHTSA complaint #10284630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AVALON LIMITED 3.2L V6 * AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION * 72,900 MILES WELL, THIS IS MY 3RD TOYOTA, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UP UNTIL THURSDAY NIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR I HEARD A CRANKY FAN LIKE NOISE, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS AFTER I DROVE SHOPPING AND CAME BACK AFTER 2-3 MILES AND PARKED THE CAR ON MY DRIVEWAY IN THE DARK. NEXT MORNING WHEN I PULLED MY CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE NOISE CONTINUED AND I SAW A POOL OF ENGINE OIL ALL OVER, I CALLED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND SURPRISINGLY THEY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE CAR THE SAME DAY (SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS-NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE EVEN FOR JUST OIL CHANGES) AFTER TAKING A LOOK THEY SAID THE OIL LINE NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND COST WOULD BE $450 FOR A HALF DAYS WORK. I CALLED BACK THE EVENING AND WAS TOLD NOW THEY CALLED TOYOTA AS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG BUT HAVE NOT HEARD FROM TOYOTA SO I WONT GET MY CAR UP UNTIL AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND- (HAD TO GET A RENTAL FOR A WEEK) NEXT WEEK, THEY TOLD BE THE GEAR SHAFT CRACKED AND GASKETS NEED REPLACEMENT AND A 16 HRS JOB AND WOULD COST APPROX $6000 TO REPAIR "BUT TOYOTA WILL COVER 50%" EVEN THOUGH I AM OUT OF 60,000 MILES WARRANTY. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I WALKED IN TO DEALER TO SEE MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BROKEN PART AND TOLD ME TOYOTA HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THIS PART SO IT DOES NOT BREAK AND CAUSE SUDDEN OIL LEAKS- ONCE THE NEW PART IS REPLACED I SHOULD NOT EXPECT MORE SIMILAR PROBLEMS- I AM KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY MADE A NOTE OF MY PROBLEM BUT SAID I HAVE TO GET THE NUMBER OF THE TOYOTA REGIONAL MANAGER FROM THE DEALER WHO SAID HE CANNOT LET ME TALK DIRECTLY DUE TO" BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM". I TOLD THEM ITS NOT FAIR FOR THE CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURING FAULTS OF TOYOTA. FINALLY THE "HIDDEN" TOYOTA REGIONAL MANAGER OFFERED TO SETTLE FOR PAYING 2/3 RD FOR MY CAR'S REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS DRIVING THE AVALON AND A BIG COVER-UP BY TOYOTA.

NHTSA complaint #10284372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EXPERIENCED A LEAK IN THE "VVTI" OIL LINE TO THE REAR CYLINDER BANK IN THIS TRANSVERSE MOUNTED V6 ENGINE AT 78,000 MILES. FORTUNATELY, THIS WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE OR DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT OCCURRED. SEARCHING ONLINE, HAVE FOUND OTHERS WERE NOT SO FORTUNATE. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE FIRE AS OIL LEAKS ON HOT PARTS. THE REPAIR COST WAS $202 FOR LABOR. TOYOTA PAID FOR PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR AS PART OF A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RESPONSE AFTER A COMPLAINT WAS MADE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THIS PART, AS MY RESEARCH ONLINE REVEALS IT TO BE OCCURRING TO MANY PEOPLE WHEN THEIR CARS ARE OVER 70,000 MILES AND THEREFORE OUT OF THE NORMAL WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT AND NOT A NORMAL WEAR ITEM.

NHTSA complaint #10284100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.