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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

173 reports
115,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Tires

TWO LARGE BULGES ON INSIDE SIDEWALL. STUCK OUT APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF AN INCH WITH THE SURFACE AREA OF A SLIVER DOLLAR. FELT INCREASINGLY LIKE UNBALANCED TIRE IN REAR. NEVER BLEW. DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR ROADWAY DEBRIS BEFORE OCCURRENCE. I HAVE RETAINED THE TIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10904449

165,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. ...UPDATED 12/28/16 *…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. ...UPDATED 12/28/16 *BF TOYOTA FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PROPERLY SECURED AND UNDAMAGED WHEN INSPECTED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED WITH NO OBSTRUCTIONS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALSO INSPECTED AND NO DAMAGE OR LEAKAGE WAS OBSERVED. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS PROPERLY FILLED TO THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED IT FELT FIRM AND HELD PRESSURE. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, A STALL SPEED TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE BRAKE SYSTEMS OVER POWERED THE THROTTLE SYSTEM HOLDING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN UNSECURED FLOOR MAT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ARE. UPDATED 01/04/17.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10872374

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2016
SteeringSuspension

SUSPENSION: MAKES STRANGE SOUNDS - LIKE PARTS ARE GRINDING AGAINST EACH OTHER ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING UP. STEERING - MAKES UNUSUAL SOUNDS - AS IF PARTS ARE RUBBING AGAINST EACH OTHER.

NHTSA ODI #10861732

110,000 miles · Apr 26, 2016
Tires

KELLY TIRE IMMEDIATE AND UNEXPLAINED SIDEWALL TIRE FAILURE - TRAVELING 65MPH ON I-95 NEAR RICHMOND, VIRGINIA AT NIGHT (9PM). NO INJURY NOR DAMAGE. PASSENGER-SIDE REAR TIRE. NO DEBRIS-ON-ROAD IMPACTED. DAMAGE SO SEVERE TO TIRE - MODEL IS UNKNOWN, BUT CHOSE KELLY CHARGER MODEL TO CONTINUE FORM SUBMISSION. HOPEFULLY, TIRE ID# WIL…

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KELLY TIRE IMMEDIATE AND UNEXPLAINED SIDEWALL TIRE FAILURE - TRAVELING 65MPH ON I-95 NEAR RICHMOND, VIRGINIA AT NIGHT (9PM). NO INJURY NOR DAMAGE. PASSENGER-SIDE REAR TIRE. NO DEBRIS-ON-ROAD IMPACTED. DAMAGE SO SEVERE TO TIRE - MODEL IS UNKNOWN, BUT CHOSE KELLY CHARGER MODEL TO CONTINUE FORM SUBMISSION. HOPEFULLY, TIRE ID# WILL IDENTIFY MODEL. NO LOSS OF CONTROL - CONTINUED TO SHOULDER AND REPLACED TIRE WITH SPARE.

NHTSA ODI #10861600

30,000 miles · Feb 20, 2016
Engine

AS SOON AS I START THE CAR, 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT KEEPS COMING IN SPITE OF SEVERAL YEARS OF REPAIRS AND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS SPENT AT TWO TOYOTA DEALERS, AND AT SEVERAL OTHER GARAGES. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2005. RIGHT NOW THE LIGHT IS ON. THE TOYOTA 2000 AVALON XL I HAVE HAS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. IN 2004 D…

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AS SOON AS I START THE CAR, 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT KEEPS COMING IN SPITE OF SEVERAL YEARS OF REPAIRS AND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS SPENT AT TWO TOYOTA DEALERS, AND AT SEVERAL OTHER GARAGES. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2005. RIGHT NOW THE LIGHT IS ON. THE TOYOTA 2000 AVALON XL I HAVE HAS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. IN 2004 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL AND COST ME ALMOST $600.00 THE WATER PUMP, GASKET, DRIVE BELTS, ENGINE COVER AND LOGO, ETC HAVE BEEN CHANGED.

NHTSA ODI #10837298

88,632 miles · Dec 17, 2015
Visibility

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

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTER BRAKE SENSOR, AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY, AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEE…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTER BRAKE SENSOR, AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY, AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ UPDATED 05/04/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10808877

30,000 miles · Nov 14, 2015
Engine

'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT KEEPS COMING WHEN DRIVING. SINCE 2005, TWO TOYOTA DEALERS AND TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD. LATEST REPAIR WAS IN SEPTEMBER 2015 AT TOYOTA. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.

NHTSA ODI #10790403

125,000 miles · Aug 1, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

THIS IS AN INTERMITEND PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENS WHEN STARTING ON THE CAR. TO TURN THE CAR ON I HAVE TO TAKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND FORCEFULLY TURN IT LEFT AND RIGHT. MOVE ALSO THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL. I ALSO TRY TO PRESS THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS ALSO CHECKED…

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THIS IS AN INTERMITEND PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENS WHEN STARTING ON THE CAR. TO TURN THE CAR ON I HAVE TO TAKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND FORCEFULLY TURN IT LEFT AND RIGHT. MOVE ALSO THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL. I ALSO TRY TO PRESS THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS ALSO CHECKED BY A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. THE BATTERY AND THE CABLES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. NOW IT IS HAPPENING VERY OFTEN AND CREATING A SECURITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. I CHECKED THE RECALLS FOR THIS CAR ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SITUATION I DID NOT FIND AN ANSWER ALTHOUGH I HAVE READ LOTS OF RELATED COMPLAINS. I AM PLANNING TO CHANGE THE IGNITION OR THE STARTER BUT PROBABLY IS A TRY AND ERROR SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #10745542

73,300 miles · May 20, 2015
Air Bags

. AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. PANEL LIGHTS ON. AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK

NHTSA ODI #10717543

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.