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2001 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Toyota Avalon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →
134Owner complaints

Model-year median: 101

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
178
199892
1999173
2000134
2001116
2002293
2003205
2004
Compare all Avalon years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Vehicle Speed Control
24Air Bags
21Electrical System
14Engine And Engine Cooling
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
11
All reported categories
Visibility
11Power Train
9Steering
9Tires
9Suspension
8Fuel System, Gasoline
5Structure
5Unknown Or Other
5Equipment
4Seat Belts
4Wheels
4Service Brakes, Electric
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Back Over Prevention
1Engine
1Fuel System, Other
1Interior Lighting
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

69 reports with mileage · 65 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports1 fire reports19 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

21 reports
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225,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504439

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2011
Air BagsSteeringCrash

3/30/11 COMING OUT OF A RIGHT HAND TURN, IT LOOKED LIKE THE STEERING LOCKED INTO A POSITION WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER. THE CAR SLID AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS CRUSHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT WORK. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND WAS LATER PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL FROM INTE…

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3/30/11 COMING OUT OF A RIGHT HAND TURN, IT LOOKED LIKE THE STEERING LOCKED INTO A POSITION WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER. THE CAR SLID AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS CRUSHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT WORK. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND WAS LATER PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL FROM INTERNAL INJURIES. THE CAR HAS BEEN PRESERVED AT A STORAGE FACILITY IN TEXAS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. NOT SURE WHETHER THE GAS PEDAL STUCK OR NOT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A BLACK BOX IN THESE CARS WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO ANSWERS. THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR IN JANUARY 2011. I HAVE COPIES OF THE REPAIR BILL. PLEASE SEE THAT NO OTHERS ARE HURT. UPDATED 10/31/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10429748

60,000 miles · Mar 22, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH ON ICY ROADS THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS PRIOR BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH ON ICY ROADS THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS PRIOR BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A MINOR CUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ENGINEERING ANALYST ASSOCIATE WHO DETERMINED THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #10153422

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2004
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE 13 TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THE WIRING, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10067210

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2004
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

2001 TOYOTA AVALON SURGED FORWARD WITH THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THREE PARKED CARS IN A BUSY MALL PARKING LOT. THANKS TO A SNOWBANK AND THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE THREE CARS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT INJURING THE DRIVER OR ANYONE ELSE. THE AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLO…

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2001 TOYOTA AVALON SURGED FORWARD WITH THE ACCELERATOR STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THREE PARKED CARS IN A BUSY MALL PARKING LOT. THANKS TO A SNOWBANK AND THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE THREE CARS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT INJURING THE DRIVER OR ANYONE ELSE. THE AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10062774

30,000 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A SQUIRREL, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND HIT TWO TREES AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS NOT KNOWN. *AK PLEASE PROVIDE VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034541

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Air Bags

AIRBAG SENSORS WERE KNOCKED COMPLETELY OFF AND NEITHER AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED, THE OTHER PERSON WAS DRIVING A 1992 OLDER MODEL CAR AND HIS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RIGHT AWAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #764011

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2001
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT AND REAR END COLLISONS WHILE TRAVELING 30-35MPH. AIRBAG SENSOR WAS SCRAPED, AND EXPOSED; BUT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT AIRBAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT NO RESPONSE AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892795

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS AT STANDSTILL WHEN IT WAS REARENDED WITH GREAT SPEED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. TRUNK WAS PUSHED INTO BACK SEAT. VEHICLE IN FRONT AND CONSUMERS VEHICLE WERE TOTALLED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER HIT STEERING WHEEL, AND REQUIRED 20 STITCHES IN HIS FACE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892139

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2001
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS AT STANDSTILL IN TRAFFIC AND WAS REARENDED. TRUNK WAS PUSHED INTO BACKSEAT. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT, VEHICLE IN FRONT AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WERE TOTALLED. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. HE HIT HIS HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL, REQUIRED 20 STITCHES. *AK PASSENGERS SEAT BELT WORKED, HOWEVER DRIVERS …

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VEHICLE WAS AT STANDSTILL IN TRAFFIC AND WAS REARENDED. TRUNK WAS PUSHED INTO BACKSEAT. VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT, VEHICLE IN FRONT AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WERE TOTALLED. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. HE HIT HIS HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL, REQUIRED 20 STITCHES. *AK PASSENGERS SEAT BELT WORKED, HOWEVER DRIVERS DID NOT, PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, CONSUMER LIST THAT VEHICLE HAS MOTORBELTS AND REGULAR SEAT BELTS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #892137

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.

01V072000 · Structure:frame And Members

Mar 5, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.