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2000 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Toyota Avalon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

82 reports with mileage · 91 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports2 fire reports24 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

15 reports
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278,000 miles · Apr 18, 2025
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureSuspension

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 Nu…

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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 ODI #11655498

14,254 miles · Feb 28, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314973

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesService 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…

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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 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10076020

14,200 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025014

42,500 miles · Jun 5, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021110

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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. *YH

NHTSA ODI #564985

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

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 ODI #8003124

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL GLIDE INSTEAD OF STOPPING WITHOUT WARNING.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #8003122

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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…

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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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756266

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

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 ODI #897817

Official recalls

2

10V345000 · Steering

Jul 29, 2010

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 AVALON VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER CASTING OF THE STEERING LOCK BAR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A MINUTE CRACK MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE LOCK BAR. SUCH A CRACK MAY EXPAND OVER A LONG PERIOD OF REPEATED LOCK AND UNLOCK OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LOCK BAR COULD BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

00V154000 · Suspension:rear

Jun 5, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS COULD FAIL OR BREAK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP02004 · Engine Seizure

Opened Apr 30, 2002 · Closed Jun 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.