Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
1225–50K
1450–75K
1675–100K
22100–150K
7150K+
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
What owners actually said
173 reports
5,000 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Suspension
MY 2000 TOTYOTA AVALON HAS A "LOOSE" AND "TWITCHY" FRONT SUSPENSION THAT PRESENTS ITSELF AS YOU APPROACH NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AS ROAD FEEL AND CONTROL DIMINISHES WITH INCREASED SPEED, THE CARE BECOMES STRESSFUL TO DRIVE. THIS RESULTS IN A "WANDERING" FRONT END CAUSING THE DRIVER TO OVER-CORRECT IN EVEN MODERATE TURNING MANEU…
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MY 2000 TOTYOTA AVALON HAS A "LOOSE" AND "TWITCHY" FRONT SUSPENSION THAT PRESENTS ITSELF AS YOU APPROACH NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AS ROAD FEEL AND CONTROL DIMINISHES WITH INCREASED SPEED, THE CARE BECOMES STRESSFUL TO DRIVE. THIS RESULTS IN A "WANDERING" FRONT END CAUSING THE DRIVER TO OVER-CORRECT IN EVEN MODERATE TURNING MANEUVERS. THIS IS MOST PRONOUNCED WHEN SEVERAL PASSANGERS OR LUGGAGE IS IN THE CAR. THIS IS EVEN NOW REPORTED BY CONSUMMER REPORTS.
NHTSA ODI #10068070
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
AMONG THE FOUR TOYOTA VEHICLES OWNED BY THE CONSUMER ONLY THE 2000 AVALON WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *PH PUSHING HARD ON THE BRAKES WOULD KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES AND THE SURGE WOULD STOP AS QUICKLY AS IT STARTED. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10066946
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
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury
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.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10040788
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2003
Steering
PROBLEMS WITH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS ON 2000 TOYOTA AVALON XLS.*MR *CB
NHTSA ODI #10033798
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
Tires
VEHICLE TIRE EQUIPMENT WAS CONSIDERED CHEAP.*MR THE TIRES FAILED AT A LOW MILEAGE. *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10031904
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2003
SteeringSuspension
2000 TOYOTA AVALON XLS STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS. NAR 07/10/2003.*MR THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND BECAME STIFF ON FREQUENT OCCASIONS. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB THE DEALER ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES, AND PERFORMED SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS, BUT THE P…
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2000 TOYOTA AVALON XLS STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS. NAR 07/10/2003.*MR THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND BECAME STIFF ON FREQUENT OCCASIONS. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB THE DEALER ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES, AND PERFORMED SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10027024
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
76,000 miles · Jun 9, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022636
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
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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