TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE HAD SHATTERED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HAD S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE HAD SHATTERED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,632.
NHTSA ODI #10810871
67,000 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LATER, THE CONSUMER REALIZED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046469
28,000 miles · Feb 21, 2003
Visibility
THE WINDOWS WERE BLOTCHED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008985
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
VisibilityInjury
CONSUMERS FINGER WAS BROKEN BY THE WINDOW WHILE BEING ROLLED UP. THE CONSUMER HAD HER FINGER ON THE WINDOW AND THERE WAS NO SAFETY DEVICE ON THE WINDOW. *YH NAR 8/ 28/02. *SCC *CB
NHTSA ODI #567181
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
VisibilityInjury
ON 4/25/2002, MIDDLE FINGER ON RIGHT HAND WAS BROKEN BY POWER WINDOW ON RIGHT REAR SIDE OF CAR. THERE IS NO SAFETY DEVICE TO STOP WINDOW FROM ROLLING UP WHEN IT MEETS WITH RESISTANCE FROM OBJECT IN WINDOW. I AM IN HAND THERAPY AND THIS IS AUGUST, IT STILL MAY BE ANOTHER 6 MOS BEFORE IT IS HEALED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765525
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2002
Visibility
INSTRUMENT PANEL (PORTIONS OF SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE) REFLECTS IN WINDSHIELD AT EYE LEVEL. AT NIGHT, THIS GLARE IMPAIRS VIEW OF ROAD, AND NORMAL HEAD MOVEMENTS CREATE THE IMPRESSION OF SOMETHING COMING INTO ROAD IN FRONT OF CAR, CAUSING REFLEXIVE BRAKING OR SWERVING. IN DAYLIGHT, SUNLIGHT STRIKING INSTRUMENT PANEL REFLECTS…
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INSTRUMENT PANEL (PORTIONS OF SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE) REFLECTS IN WINDSHIELD AT EYE LEVEL. AT NIGHT, THIS GLARE IMPAIRS VIEW OF ROAD, AND NORMAL HEAD MOVEMENTS CREATE THE IMPRESSION OF SOMETHING COMING INTO ROAD IN FRONT OF CAR, CAUSING REFLEXIVE BRAKING OR SWERVING. IN DAYLIGHT, SUNLIGHT STRIKING INSTRUMENT PANEL REFLECTS IN DRIVER'S EYES AS A BLINDING FLASH OR BAND OF LIGHT. I REPORTED THIS TO MANUFACTURER AS PART OF DISPUTE THAT INCLUDED OTHER DEFECTS (RATTLES AND SQUEAKS IN DASH AREA) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD REPOSITION INSTRUMENT PANEL PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN B0014-0. THE REPAIR ATTEMPT FAILED TO CORRECT THE BLINDING GLARE OR THE OTHER DEFECTS. I RECENTLY ACCEPTED AN 2002 AVALON AS A RENTAL CAR AND WAS STUNNED TO FIND THAT THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION PERSISTS IN THE 2002 MODEL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756831
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2002
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING DASH LIGHTS REFLECT IN WINDSHIELD AT EYE LEVEL, GIVING A BLINDING GLARE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8001884
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WINDSHIELD GLASS CAN STREAK TO POINT WHERE IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #897309
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2001
Visibility
SEVERE GLARE INTO WINDSHIELD FROM POOR INSTRUMENT PANEL DESIGN. SUN REFLECTS OFF OF INSTRUMENT PANEL BAZEL INTO WINDSHIELD AT DRIVER EYE LEVEL BLINDING DRIVER. AT NIGHT LIGHTED INSTRUMENT GAUGES REFLECT INTO WINDSHIELD CREATING A DISTRACTING "HEADS UP" TYPE DISPLAY. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS MUST BE ALMOST COMPLETELY DIMMED TO A…
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SEVERE GLARE INTO WINDSHIELD FROM POOR INSTRUMENT PANEL DESIGN. SUN REFLECTS OFF OF INSTRUMENT PANEL BAZEL INTO WINDSHIELD AT DRIVER EYE LEVEL BLINDING DRIVER. AT NIGHT LIGHTED INSTRUMENT GAUGES REFLECT INTO WINDSHIELD CREATING A DISTRACTING "HEADS UP" TYPE DISPLAY. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS MUST BE ALMOST COMPLETELY DIMMED TO AVOID REFLECTION PROBLEM. THIS CREATES ANOTHER PROBLEM OF VIEWING GAUGES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749436
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Visibility
GLARE ON WINDSHIELD FROM GLASS OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL. WORSE AT NIGHT WHEN DASH LIGHTS ARE ON, HAD TO DIM LIGHTS TO SEE SAFELY. CAN ALSO HAVE GLARE DAYTIME WHETHER SUNNY OR NOT. THIS IS IN MY DIRECT LINE OF VISION AND CAN BE A SAFETY HAZZARD. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE HAS BEEN A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE CONSULTED HALEY TOY…
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GLARE ON WINDSHIELD FROM GLASS OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL. WORSE AT NIGHT WHEN DASH LIGHTS ARE ON, HAD TO DIM LIGHTS TO SEE SAFELY. CAN ALSO HAVE GLARE DAYTIME WHETHER SUNNY OR NOT. THIS IS IN MY DIRECT LINE OF VISION AND CAN BE A SAFETY HAZZARD. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE HAS BEEN A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE CONSULTED HALEY TOYOTA IN ROANOKE VA AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE ON YOUR WEBSITE.*AK
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.
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