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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

14 reports
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62,000 miles · Aug 3, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAVE REPLACED O2 SENSORS TWICE TO GET RID OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR CODES THAT HAVE POPPED YOU P1135 & P1155. TOOK CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. ALL SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH DENSO PARTS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A RECALL IF NOT EVEN THE TOYOTA DEAL…

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I HAVE REPLACED O2 SENSORS TWICE TO GET RID OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR CODES THAT HAVE POPPED YOU P1135 & P1155. TOOK CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. ALL SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH DENSO PARTS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A RECALL IF NOT EVEN THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S. I NEED MY CAR TO PASS A SMOG AND IT COULD NOT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. CAR ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES AND RUNS GREAT.

NHTSA ODI #11343042

189,047 miles · May 1, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,047.

NHTSA ODI #10714040

140,000 miles · Sep 7, 2014
Electrical System

DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK IN AM. NOTICED KEY DIDN'T "CATCH" FIRST TIME, THOUGHT IT WAS HUMAN ERROR AND WROTE IT OFF AND DROVE TO WORK. WENT TO LEAVE WORK AND TURNED KEY IN IGNITION, LIGHTS AND RADIO LIGHT UP BUT KEY FREELY TURNED LIKE BUTTER AND STEERING FELT TIGHTER THAN NORMAL. COULD NOT START VEHICLE. HAD MECHANIC REMOVE IGNITION…

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DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK IN AM. NOTICED KEY DIDN'T "CATCH" FIRST TIME, THOUGHT IT WAS HUMAN ERROR AND WROTE IT OFF AND DROVE TO WORK. WENT TO LEAVE WORK AND TURNED KEY IN IGNITION, LIGHTS AND RADIO LIGHT UP BUT KEY FREELY TURNED LIKE BUTTER AND STEERING FELT TIGHTER THAN NORMAL. COULD NOT START VEHICLE. HAD MECHANIC REMOVE IGNITION ASSEMBLY ON SITE TO DETERMINE THAT THE LINKAGE IN BETWEEN THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH HAD A BROKEN METAL PIECE STUCK OFF INTO THE SWITCH. THIS LINKAGE IS CONTAINED IN A METAL HOUSING UNIT WITH 3 HOLES. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND ASKED FOR THE LINKAGE PART, WAS SHOWN THE HOUSING UNIT IT WAS CONTAINED IN, ONLY AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA. WAS TOLD BY EMPLOYEE THAT THE PIECE HE WAS SHOWING ME CAME OFF A CAR LIKE MINE THEY HAD JUST REPAIRED BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE STEERING LOCK BAR, THIS PIECE IS CONNECTED TO THE PIECE THAT I NEED TO REPLACE. I FEEL MY ISSUE OCCURRED BETWEEN DRIVING AND PARKING AT MY WORK AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THIS PIECE. CAR IS NOW AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, SO FAR THEY HAVE PICKED UP THE TOWING BILL BUT GIVEN ME GRIEF THAT I HAVE A "13 YEAR OLD CAR" REGARDLESS OF THE CAR'S AGE I FEEL THAT IF THAT PIECE I NEED CAME OFF A REPAIRED CAR DUE TO RECALL, THEY NEED TO COVER THE BILL FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631307

108,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

HORN SOUNDED SQUEAKY, THEN INOPERATIVE. AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. CRUISE NO LONGER WORKED. TOYOTA DIAGNOSED THE SPIRAL CABLE A/K/A CLOCK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING TOYOTAS, HAD RECALLS ON THIS. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AT THIS AGE OF THE CAR, ONLY 108,000 MILES. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, PAID BY TOY…

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HORN SOUNDED SQUEAKY, THEN INOPERATIVE. AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. CRUISE NO LONGER WORKED. TOYOTA DIAGNOSED THE SPIRAL CABLE A/K/A CLOCK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING TOYOTAS, HAD RECALLS ON THIS. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AT THIS AGE OF THE CAR, ONLY 108,000 MILES. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, PAID BY TOYOTA. IT COST ME NEARLY $500 TO GET IT FIXED. MAYBE THE CABLE WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE STEERING LOCK BAR WAS FIXED, ON A PREVIOUS RECALL (YEARS PRIOR).??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564135

64,000 miles · Nov 23, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10436897

81,740 miles · Aug 27, 2007
Electrical SystemSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. ON AUGUST 26, 2007, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. HE JIGGLED THE WHEEL AND IT UNLOCKED. HE STATED THAT THE INTERLOCK FAILS TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. ON AUGUST 26, 2007, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. HE JIGGLED THE WHEEL AND IT UNLOCKED. HE STATED THAT THE INTERLOCK FAILS TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,740. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER BRACKET

NHTSA ODI #10200895

55,184 miles · Jan 4, 2007
Electrical System

TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2001 TOYOTA AVALON TO THE DEALER ON 01/03/07 BECAUSE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY,. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REASON FOR THE AIR B…

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TL*- THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2001 TOYOTA AVALON TO THE DEALER ON 01/03/07 BECAUSE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY,. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REASON FOR THE AIR BAGS, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING WAS BECAUSE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CONTACT FELT THAT THIS INCIDENTWAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND COULD PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE REPAIR IF NEEDED. *AK UPDATED 01/31/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177789

16,276 miles · May 16, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Other

2001 TOYOTA AVALON EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, AND WINDOWS. *MR THERE WAS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH NOISE THAT SEEMED TO ORIGINATE FROM THE FRONT END. THE NOISE WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOTICEABLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED, WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CALIPER SLI…

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2001 TOYOTA AVALON EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, AND WINDOWS. *MR THERE WAS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH NOISE THAT SEEMED TO ORIGINATE FROM THE FRONT END. THE NOISE WAS INTERMITTENT AND NOTICEABLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED, WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CALIPER SLIDE WAS STICKING ONTO THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. THE BRAKE ROTORS SHOWED SIGNS OF GLAZE, THERE WAS A WOBBLY FEELING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS INTERMITTENT, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT, THE DRIVERS WINDOWS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN, THE STRIPPING ON THE BUMPER WAS COMING OFF, THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AT TIMES, THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED, THE RADIO BUTTONS WERE FADING, THE CASSETTE WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VENT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING, THE WIPER BLADE(S) WERE NOISY, THE WINDSHIELD HAD "MILLION" OF DOTS ALL OVER IT, AND THE FRONT PANEL WAS LIT FOR THE BACK LIGHTS AND THERE WAS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF AIR/HEAT THAT WOULD BLOW ON THE DRIVERS FEET. THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE FRONT STRUTS WERE CRACKED AND CAUSED THE FRONT END NOISE. THE RADIO,STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND THE FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10122602

42,000 miles · Feb 20, 2004
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE SENSOR THAT CAUSES THE REAR WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER TO TURN OFF MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE BACK GLASS TO OVERHEAT AND SHATTER. I HAVE A MR2 WHICH WAS NOT LISTED IN THE VARIOUS MODELS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058558

35,000 miles · Apr 1, 2003
Electrical System

TRUNK OPENS, NOT FULLY, JUST AJAR, BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY (6) TIMES IN (2) YEARS. THE TRUNK IS NOT OPEN SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE TRUNK OPEN LIGHT TO GO ON. THIS HAS HAPPEN APPROXIMATELY (3) TIMES ON THE ROAD AND (3) TIMES PARKED. WHILE ON THE ROAD IT WILL BE ANOTHER DRIVER WHO WILL SIGNAL THAT IT IS AJAR OR IN O…

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TRUNK OPENS, NOT FULLY, JUST AJAR, BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY (6) TIMES IN (2) YEARS. THE TRUNK IS NOT OPEN SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE TRUNK OPEN LIGHT TO GO ON. THIS HAS HAPPEN APPROXIMATELY (3) TIMES ON THE ROAD AND (3) TIMES PARKED. WHILE ON THE ROAD IT WILL BE ANOTHER DRIVER WHO WILL SIGNAL THAT IT IS AJAR OR IN ONE CASE IT WAS A GAS STATION ATTENDANT (STILL ATTENDANT SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY!). ONE TIME THE TRUNK WAS FOUND AJAR IN THE MORNING AT A MOTEL STOP (NOTHING TAKEN), AND A COUPLE OF TIMES IT WAS FOUND OPEN WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. ON THIS AUTOMOBILE, 2001 TOYOTA AVALON, THE TRUNK OPENER IS ON THE DASH AND IS ELECTRONIC WHILE THE GAS CAP OPENER IS ON THE FLOOR AND IS MECHANICAL SO THERE CAN BE NO MISTAKING THE TWO. BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, I WILL LIST THE MOST RECENT DATE AS THE "INCIDENT DATE". THANK YOU.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10013772

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.