Owners have filed 130 complaints
about the 2011 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between 2010 and 2024.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 28 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 43
Against the median year of the Toyota Avalon. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 99
19.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 94
55% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
1616.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1313.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1818.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
2424.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1010.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
88.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1111.0%
When owners complained
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.
Oct 2010peak 5Dec 2024
Recalls on the 2011 Toyota Avalon
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Recall 20150381,285 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles equipped with a trunk-mounted sub-woofer, cargo in the trunk could contact the sub-woofer's soft braided wire, which could cause the wire to move out of its normal position. If one of these wires were to come into contact with the metal frame of the sub-woofer, it could result in an intermittent short, causing the integrated circuit (IC) in the audio amplifier to become damaged. In some cases, the damaged IC could create a closed circuit between the power supply and sub-woofer, and electric current could continue to flow to the sub-woofer. If this were to occur, the sub-woofer could overheat, increasing the risk of fire, causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the audio system amplifier and install a protective cover around the subwoofer. In the interim, dealers will disconnect the rear sub-woofer.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 42,000 milesLeland, NCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GENERATOR AND SPUN IN THE GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. TOYOTA TOWED THE VEHICLE TO JEFF HENDRICKS TOYOTA: 228 S COLLEGE RD, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 (910) 791-2424, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INVESTIGATOR WHO TRAVELED FROM VIRGINIA. THE TEST WAS NOT COMPLETED AND THE RESULTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #11221510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesSarasota, FLCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FROM PARKING SPOT TO FRONT OF RESTAURANT TO PICK UP PASSENGER, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VERY FAST WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. BOTH FEET WERE APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT HIT CEMENT PILLAR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, TOTALING THE CAR AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10970748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesSarasota, FLCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FROM PARKING SPOT TO FRONT OF RESTAURANT TO PICK UP PASSENGER, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VERY FAST WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. BOTH FEET WERE APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT HIT CEMENT PILLAR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, TOTALING THE CAR AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10970748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,353 milesDallas, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, WHILE APPLYING BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT IT OVERPOWERED THE BRAKE AND CAUSED A COLLISION INTO A CEMENT POLE WHICH CAUSED MAJOR FRONT IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND WAS NOT, AT THE SAME TIME, TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THERE WAS NO OBSTRUCTION FROM THE FLOOR MAT. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING SLIGHTLY UPHILL INTO THE PARKING SPACE SO THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR, BUT AT THE TIME OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, THE FOOT HAD ALREADY BEEN APPLIED TO THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10967152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesCheyenne, WYCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS TOYOTA WAS IN A SIX (6) CAR TRAFFIC CRASH LIST THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THIS CAR WAS NUMBER 5. CARS WERE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT. THIS CAR HAD FRONT END AND REAR END DAMAGE. THIS CAR MAYBE TOTAL. ONE BODY SHOP PERSON SAID IT WAS TOTALED. AIR BAG IN SIX CAR DID GO OFF WHICH DID HIT THIS CAR IN THE REAR END. THE FRONT OF THIS CAR HAS HEAVY DAMAGE. THIS WAS LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10899684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSanta Barbara, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. AFTER BRIEFLY TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A BRIEF PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK A PALM TREE AT 5 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #10779059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 121,578 milesNewington, CT
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side seat belt failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt latch failed to unlock. The contact stated that his wife was stuck in the seat for five minutes doe to the failure. The contact attempted several times before the seat belt unlatched. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,578.
NHTSA complaint #11628627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
the rear trunk lid arms broken lid feel on top of me
NHTSA complaint #11515505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear sun screen will get stuck in the up position . At night there is almost no visibility out of the back window. This is a very dangerous safety problem. Apparently Toyota has had a problem with this feature with no effort made to correct it.
NHTSA complaint #11481479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jensen Beach, FL
ENGINE
The engine has quit while in traffic several times and the check engine light and the skid control lights are the only lights lit on the dashboard. Once the car comes to rest and one waits 3 to 5 minutes, the car will restart. We have taken the car to the dealer twice, ( each time the had it for nearly a week) and they could not find the problem. This is a very serious problem because the engine stops without notice causing loss of power steering and total loss of control. The lights for check engine and skid control are sometimes on when this happens, but not always; and the fact that these lights are lit does not predict this event happening.I think there might be a sensor in the engine that is faulty.
NHTSA complaint #11443659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrysville, PA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Failure of the Sun shade in the rear causes a problem with visability. Stays stuck in up or down position. Creates a loud distracting grinding noise when in operation and highly reduces visibility through the rear window. Particularly when it is stuck in the half way position.
NHTSA complaint #11442918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,636 milesFresno, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN LOCK LOOSENS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES TO SHAKE. ADVISED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT I COULD PAY THEM TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WITH A UPGRADED REPAIR THAT TOYOTA HAS IDENTIFIED. A NOTICE WAS NEVER SENT OUT TO TOYOTA OWNERS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NOTICE. SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE BULLETIN (#00206, NHTSA # 10019669) THEY NOW INFORM ME OF A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TELESCOPIC LEVER DETENT CLIP AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0147-13 AND ALSO THAT TOYOTA HAD A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ZTY TO ADDRESS IT WHICH EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD CONTINUE TO STAND BEHIND.
NHTSA complaint #11407050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,800 milesRialto, CA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO READJUSTED THE STEERING COLUMN HOWEVER, EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WITHIN A FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,800.
NHTSA complaint #11397586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEY FOB AND DOOR LOCKS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE KEY FOB AT TIMES WOULD ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. ALL OTHER DOORS HAD TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. MORE RECENTLY, THE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AS WELL AS THE LOCK SWITCHES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ECM.
NHTSA complaint #11383733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING CONSTANTLY AND AT TIMES ONE OR BOTH WILL GO COMPLETELY OFF. WILL HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN OFF AND THEN TURN ON AGAIN. BOTH WILL SHINE STEADY FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AND THEN BEGAN TO FLICKER AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PARKED OR WHEN IN MOTION. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON LOW BEAM. (THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW MONTHS).
NHTSA complaint #11373915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesColumbia, SC
SEATS
I WAS USING THE LEVER TO PUSH THE SEAT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ONE SIDE STOPPED MOVING, CAUSING THE OTHER SIDE TO DERAIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM HUDSON TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY, AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO GET SEAT BACK ON TRACK. HOWEVER, HE WASN'T ABLE TO GET THE SIDE MOVING, AND STATED THE ENTIRE SEAT RAIL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, I WAS TOLD I HAVE A LEAK IN THE ROD AND PINION SYSTEM BECAUSE THE INNER SEAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH, I SERVICE MY VEHICLE REGULARLY WITH FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA, AND NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11373521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesColumbia, SC
STEERING
I WAS USING THE LEVER TO PUSH THE SEAT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ONE SIDE STOPPED MOVING, CAUSING THE OTHER SIDE TO DERAIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM HUDSON TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY, AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO GET SEAT BACK ON TRACK. HOWEVER, HE WASN'T ABLE TO GET THE SIDE MOVING, AND STATED THE ENTIRE SEAT RAIL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, I WAS TOLD I HAVE A LEAK IN THE ROD AND PINION SYSTEM BECAUSE THE INNER SEAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH, I SERVICE MY VEHICLE REGULARLY WITH FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA, AND NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11373521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greer, SC
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE REAR SUNSHADE DOES NOT WORK AND OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW OF THE REAR ROAD. IF YOU GOOGLE IT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #11361052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesCoon Rapids, IA
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPIC LEVER COMES LOOSE AND THE COLUMN DEPRESSES. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE PULLING UP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL, DURING SHARP TURNS FOR EXAMPLE, AND THE LEVER UNLOCKS. THEN AS SOON AS YOU PRESS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, PERHAPS SOME TIME LATER, THE STEERING WHEEL GOES COMPLETELY INTO THE DASH. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS FALLING AWAY FROM ME, AND I HAVE PARTIALLY GONE THROUGH TWO (THANKFULLY EMPTY) INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED UNEXPECTEDLY.
NHTSA complaint #11338711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,250 milesBowie, MD
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I RAISED MY REAR SUNSHADE AND COULDN'T LOWER IT. IT WAS DURING THE DAY RUNNING ERRANDS AND VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. I CHOSE NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR LATE EVENINGS AND NIGHT BECAUSE OF SAFETY AND VISIBILITY .I NEED MY CAR 24/7, I PAID FOR THE SHADE TO BE LOWERED BUT IT'S INOPERABLE. THIS SUMMER I KNOW I WILL NEED THE SUNSHADE.
NHTSA complaint #11318717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesMagnolia, AR
STEERING
POWER STEERING FLUID WAS SEEPING AND THEN BECAME A FULL LEAK THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING FLUID. VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED, AND TOYOTA QUOTED A $1800 RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT. MILEAGE OF FAILURE IS APPROXIMATELY 126K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11292561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Terre Haute, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY PAINT IS PEELING OFF MY CAR ALREADY HAD ONE AREA FIXED ON IT & NOW MORE IS PEELING ON THE ROOF. THIS IS RIDICULOUS I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR & THIS LOOKS HIDEOUS 🤬 TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOME RECALLS SOONER THEN LATER.
NHTSA complaint #11282554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesBettendorf, IA
STEERING
THE TILT/TELESCOPIC LEVER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN STAYS IN PLACE VIA SOME TYPE OF FRICTION TENSION. IT REGULARLY DISENGAGES BY ITSELF AND ALLOWS THE STEERING COLUMN/STEERING WHEEL TO FALL DOWN OR SUDDENLY MOVE INWARD. THIS CAN OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT BOTH HIGHWAY AND SLOW SPEEDS. IT IS DANGEROUS AS IT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO HANG ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH OF THIS ISSUE SHOWS LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME PERHAPS MORE THAN 50 TIMES SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11279406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesWarner Robins, GA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
FLIM OVER REAR WINDOW, INSIDE THE GLASS , AROUND THE HEAT ELEMENTS.I CAN NOT CLEAN THE FILM OFF.I CAN NOT SEE THROUGH THE REAR GLASS, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11253812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesLeland, NCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GENERATOR AND SPUN IN THE GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. TOYOTA TOWED THE VEHICLE TO JEFF HENDRICKS TOYOTA: 228 S COLLEGE RD, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 (910) 791-2424, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INVESTIGATOR WHO TRAVELED FROM VIRGINIA. THE TEST WAS NOT COMPLETED AND THE RESULTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #11221510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesHurricane, WV
VISIBILITY/WIPER
REAR WINDOW SUNSHADE MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE DOWN POSITION. IT MUST REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AT ALL TIMES. VISIBILITY IS ZERO AT NIGHT. IT STARTED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. THE LOUD NOISE IS WHILE IN REVERSE AND CONTINUES UNLESS YOU MANUALLY PLACE THE SHADE IN THE UP POSITION. THIS CONTINUES REGARDLESS OF IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, TURNING, STREET OR HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint #11205288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesBakersfield, CA
STEERING
TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL LEVER WILL RANDOMLY DROP, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11190227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS 4 TIMES ON MY 2011 AVALON.. I CURRENTLY HAVE 173,800 MILES WITH 75-80% OF THIS MILEAGE ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE FRONT ROTORS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL. MY ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT THIS PREMATURE ROTOR WEAR ISSUE HAVE EITHER NO RESPONSE OR A FORM LETTER STATING THEY HAVE NO ISSUES WITH THEIR BRAKES. MY VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND TO ME THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. PERHAPS YOU CAN GET THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #11186570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesClinton, MD
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE REAR SUNSHADE IS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED AND DOES NOT GO DOWN WHEN THE CAR IN PUT IN REVERSE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION AT NIGHT WHEN VISIBILITY IS POOR. THERE ARE A PLETHORA OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUNSHADE ON THE INTERNET. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR, THEY ONLY REPLACE THE DEVICE FOR $1000, AND THE DEFECTIVE SUNSHADE EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT COULD REPEAT THE HAZARDOUS SITUATION. TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE, HAZARDOUS PART AT NO COST. IT IS A THREAT TO SAFETY FOR ALL PASSENGERS. THE DEFECT OCCURRED RANDOMLY WITHOUT PROVOCATION UPON STARTUP WITH THE CAR PARKED. A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD, THEN THE SHADE WENT UP - UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATION CONTROL BUTTON. I HAD TO DRIVE IN THE SLOW LANE DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #11156879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,778 milesDublin, GA
STEERING
WENT FOR MY ROUTINE SERVICE AND WAS TOLD I HAVE A RACK&PINION LEAK, NO LEAKING OBSERVED UNDER CARPORT BUT WAS SHOWN THE LEAK ONCE CAR WAS PLACED ON RACK TO BE VIEWED. ASKED IF CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE TO ATLANTA, MECHANIC AND SERVICE MANAGER ENCOURAGED ME TO GO AHEAD AND DRIVE IT, THEY STATED IT WILL NEED A NEW RACK & PINION, STATING IT WILL COST APPROX.. $800.00 PULSE $89.00 FOR FRONT END ALIGMENT. THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR AVALONS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM A TOYOTA DEARLERSHIP WITH 38,000 ON SPEEDOMETER AND AT THE TIME OF SERVICE I ONLY HAD PUT APPROX. 21,000 MILES. I READ UP ON RACK AND PINION LEAKS AND IT STATED IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE FLUID STARTED TO SPUR OUT WITHOUT A WARNING AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED I THOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $2600 AND TO BE TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MAY 2018, 3YRS OR 30 THOUSAND MILES AND CAR WAS SERVED IN AUG.2018. I FILED BANKRUPTCY IN 2016 AND DON'T HAVE EXTRA MONEY TO FIX MY CAR SO I CALLED THE FEDELITY WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD AS MY DEALERSHIP FOR A POSSIBLE REFUND. NOW THE VEHICLE DRIVE VERY BAD AND I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD AT COMPENSATE ME AND FIX THE VEHICLE AT A REDUCED CHARGE SINCE I PAID THEM $2600. I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE HAS BEEN PUT IN DANGER BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE A CAR NOTE AND PAY A LARGE FEE TO FIX THE CAR. ALSO I ASKED FOR NEW TIRES, BUT THEY SAID THE TIRES WERE GOOD FOR AT 15,000 MILES. I PAID $24,995 FOR THE AVALON 2011 IN 2014. THEY AGREED TO GIVE ME 2 NEW TIRES WHEN NEEDED, BUT THESE WERE NOT MICHELINS, THEY WERE CHEAP TIRES AND THE THESE WERE PLACED ON THE FRONT AND THE OLD MICHELINS WERE PLACED ON THE BACK LAST YEAR AND AT THE NEXT SERVICE DATE THEY TOLD MED THEY COULD NOT BALANCE THE TIRES. I'M DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I FEEL I GOT A BAD DEAL. I HAVE NEVER KNOWN IT TO BE NORMAL FOR A TOYOTA BRAND CAR TO EXPECT PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #11132204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesLugoff, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT WORKING THIS PART IS TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. A PART LIKE THIS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER THAN IT DOES AND SHOULD NOT BE CAUSING ONE TO TAKE OUT A LOAN TO GET IT FIXED!
NHTSA complaint #11121684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.