25 of the
4,245 complaints filed about the Toyota Avalon
are about the doors, latches and locks —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS AND THE REAR DRIVER DOOR. THE DEALER (GLOCKNER TOYOTA, 2867 US-23, PORTSMOUTH, OH, 740-351-2980) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11103853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 3/25/15 THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH FOB OR SWITCH ON DRIVERS DOOR. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES IT UNLOCKED. SINCE THEN THEY SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH REAR DOORS AT SAME TIME. WHEN HITTING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON FOB THE DOOR BEEPS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DOES NOT UNLOCK. I GAVE UP TRYING TO UNLOCK IT AND WENT TO MY NEXT DESTINATION. AFTER COMING OUT, THE REAR DOOR UNLOCKED NORMALLY. I NEVER KNOW NOW WHEN THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK, AND AM AFRAID I WILL GET TOTALLY LOCKED IN OR OUT AT SOME POINT. I HAVE AN APPT. ON THURSDAY AT TOYOTA TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIND THE CAUSE. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT IT COULD BE A FUSE, BAD RELAY OR WIRING ISSUE. WE SHALL SEE WHAT THEY SAY.
NHTSA complaint #10705301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AUTO LOCKING SYSTEM LOCKS DOORS WHILE DOORS ARE OPEN OR CLOSED AND YOU ARE GETTING OUT OF CAR OR PUTTING GROCERS IN IF UR KEYS ARE IN CAR IT STILL LOCKS I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT MANY TIMES IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN UR DAUGHTER BORROWS YOUR CAR AND GETS HER9 MONTH OLD BABY LOCKED IN AT 95 DEGREES AT 11AM IN FLORIDA IN THE SUN IN A PARKING LOT.THE LOCKSMITH COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR CAUSE EVERY TIME HE POP THE LOCK THE SYSTEM WOULD RELOCK IT SELF IMMEDIATELY .THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM .SOME TIMES IT LOCKS ITSELF IN SECONDS OR MINS.IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10652661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 5-27-2013, I EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING INCIDENT WITH MY TOYOTA AVALON. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING TO KEEP THE A/C GOING FOR OUR DOG, WHILE I ASSISTED MY WIFE FROM THE BACK SEAT. I PRESSED THE DOOR UNLOCK FEATURE TO OPEN ALL THE DOOR LOCKS. WHEN I EXITED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE I CLOSED THAT DOOR. WHEN MY WIFE EXISTED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE I CLOSED THAT DOOR AND THEN WENT TO THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR TO GET MY DOG. IN THAT SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, ALL OF THE DOORS HAD AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, TRAPPING MY DOG IN THE CAR. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN A CHILD IS IN THE VEHICLE. IN MY CASE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE MY SON DRIVE ME TO MY HOME TO GET MY SPARE KEY AND RETURN TO OPEN THE VEHICLE. THE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA TO THIS COMPLAINT WAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BUT THEY OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OR REASON FOR THIS EVENT.
NHTSA complaint #10514158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE KEY NOR WITH THE DOOR-LOCK SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE PASSENGERS COULD NOT ENTER THE CAR. THEIR DOOR HAD TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND NEED QUICK ENTRY FOR ANY REASON...STORM, FIRE, EXPLOSION, PERSONAL ATTACK. THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10509389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN DOOR. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,982.
NHTSA complaint #10386471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND SHE HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE. SHE THEN STATED THAT SOMETHING IN THE DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. SHE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
NHTSA complaint #10355900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2004 AVALON XLS HAS ISSUES WITH BOTH FRONT INNER DOOR HANDLES CHROME PEELING AND LEAVING RAZOR SHARP EDGES AND LEAVING LACERATIONS TO HANDS WHEN PULLING TO OPEN DOORS AT TIMES. THE REAR INNER DOOR PULL HANDLES ARE BEGINNING TO BUBBLE AND WILL BEGIN TO PEEL AS WELL. I PAID A VISIT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL OR ASSISTANCE FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN MY EYES AND DO NOT THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. PLEASE HELP ME IN MY NEXT STEP.
NHTSA complaint #10326127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
2007 TOYOTA AVALON [XXX], 21,000 MILES, THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE "SMART KEY SYSTEM". PARKED VEHICLE AT LOCAL WALMART STORE LOCKED DOORS WITH PUSH BUTTON AT EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, I HAD LEFT THE KEY FOB IN THE VEHICLE! ! THE DOORS SHOULD NOT LOCK IN THIS SITUATION, HOWEVER THEY DID! AFTER SHOPPING I RETURNED TO VEHICLE AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK DOORS, THE DOORS DID NOT UNLOCK. HAD TO HAVE FRIEND DRIVE ME HOME TO PICK UP SPARE FOB. THE SPARE FOB UNLOCKED THE DOORS. NOTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER (NOURSE, CHILLICOTHE OHIO) WHO ADVISED ME TO GO TO LOCAL RADIO SHACK AND PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY FOR THE FOB. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED NEW BATTERY AND THE FOB BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY WARNING THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED CHANGED! I COULD HAVE BEEN MANY MILES FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, SCARY THOUGHT. I MUST SAY THIS IS THE ONLY TROUBLE I'VE HAD WITH IS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10313649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON STEERING WOULD RANDOMLY LOCKUP WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE PIN THAT LOCKS UP THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THEFT PROTECTION WOULD ACTIVATE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH IN TURN WOULD LOCK THE STEERING UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHEN HE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN RUNNING CAR INTO THE CURB. A WEEK LATER I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING LOCKED CAUSING ME TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC AND I AVOIDED A COLLISION. MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAD NO EXPLAINATION FOR THE PROBLEM. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPLACING THE PART WITH LABOR WOULD BE ABOUT $800.00. I HAD A MECHANIC AT A LOCAL GARAGE JUST REMOVE THE LOCKING DEVICE FOR $200.00 AND NOT REPLACE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10308238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN WILL RANDOMLY DEPRESS. THE LATCH THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE WILL RANDOMLY LOOSEN UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WILL GO ALL THE WAY IN. I ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM. JUST THOUGHT I MIGHT MENTION IT WITH ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAS BEEN HAVING.
NHTSA complaint #10307917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
JAMMED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT STUCK. HAD TO KEEP HITTING THE GAS PETAL WITH MY FOOT TO GET IT TO RELEASE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AS IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE PETAL POPPED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10253678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT LEFT THE IGNITION TURNED ON OVER NIGHT AND FOUND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD THE NEXT MORNING. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN AS A RESULT OF THE DEAD BATTERY AND IT CANNOT BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. AAA WAS CALLED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE SO THE TRUNK COULD BE OPENED. THE TOYOTA DEALER ADVISED HIM TO GO TO A LOCKSMITH AND HAVE A KEY OPERATED LOCK INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. HE WENT TO A SECOND DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIS CONCERN THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, BUT THE CONTACT HAS YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,500. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE CONSUMER PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 09/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10200848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FROM: ASK TOYOTA TO: DESDIV222@NJ.RR.COM SENT: TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007 2:13 PM. SUBJECT: LOCK OUT FOR TRUNK AND GAS TANK RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION [INCIDENT: 070515-000131] BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF YOUR CONTACT MESSAGE AND OUR RESPONSE SUBJECT. LOCK OUT FOR TRUNK AND GAS TANK RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. E APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE OPERATION OF THE TRUNK OPENER SWITCH AND FUEL FILLER DOOR OPENER SWITCH. AK PLEASE NOTE: TOYOTA DOES NOT CURRENTLY MARKET A LOCK OUT FEATURE FOR THE TRUNK OPENER SWITCH AND FUEL FILLER DOOR OPENER SWITCH FOR THE 2007 AVALON. YOUR FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED. IT IS THROUGH COMMENTS SUCH AS YOURS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO REVIEW AND IMPROVE OUR PRODUCTS. YOUR EMAIL HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS UNDER FILE #200705150711. 05/15/2007 09:57 AM HAVE A NEW 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. S I AM NEW TO THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IS NEW TO ME, I AM STILL FUMBLING FOR THE CORRECT SWITCH, KNOB, ETC. THIS MORNING, TUESDAY, WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 10 MPH, I NEEDED TO RAISE THE REAR WINDOW SUNSHADE. I REACHED DOWN TO THE LEFT AND AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL AND ACTIVATED A SWITCH. INSTEAD OF THE REAR SUNSHADE SWITCH, I INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THEN THE GAS TANK DOOR RELEASE. BOTH THE TRUNK OPENED AND THE GAS TANK DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE OF COURSE). TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, NOT TO MENTION AN ANNOYANCE. ARE THESE SWITCHES FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THAT IS ARE THEY DESIGNED TO PERMIT ACTIVATION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR? OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE OWNED OR RENTED LOCK THESE MECHANISMS FROM OPENING THE TRUNK LID RELEASE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. TOOK 2007 TOYOTA AVALON OPERATE IN THE SAME SAFE MANNER AS I INDICATE FOR OTHER VEHICLES , SUCH AS LOCK OUT THE SWITCHES UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL?
NHTSA complaint #10190817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING FEATURE THAT IS LINKED TO THE SHIFT. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN "PARK, " ALL 4 DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK. THE ROUTINE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL TO "CANCEL" THIS FEATURE DOES NOT WORK. I TRIED IT OVER 20 TIMES, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS SHOP - IT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO STOP THE AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS A THREAT TO SAFETY IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, IN MANY KINDS OF LOCATIONS. THE MOTORIST CANNOT CHOOSE WHETHER TO UNLOCK HIS/HER DOORS, EVEN IF A THREAT IS PRESENT. THIS FEATURE MAKES THE MOTORIST VULNERABLE TO CAR JACKING, ROBBERY AND MANY OTHER KINDS OF CRIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10176705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR OVER A MONTH. TO EXIT MY CAR, I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE CAR USING THE OUTSIDE LATCH. AFTER RECENTLY BEING HELD UP IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF ANOTHER CAR BECOMING ENGULFED IN FLAMES, I REALIZED THAT IN THE EVENT I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT MY CAR QUICKLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS MISDIAGNOSED. THE SECOND AND THRID TIMES I WAS TOLD THEY WERE SENT THE WRONG PART. I AM NOW WAITING FOR A BACK ORDERED PART.
NHTSA complaint #10129195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS . THE DRIVER WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S LOCK NOR PASSENGER'S LOCK WOULD OPEN WHILE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. PASSENGER HAD A PANIC ATTACK BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR SAFETY. PASSENGER HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10040788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.