Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
2025–50K
1550–75K
775–100K
10100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
134 reports
36,000 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
BOTH VISORS (L&R) HAVE BROKEN. WHEN THE VISOR IS LATCHED OUT OF THE WAY THERE IS UNDUE STRESS ON THE HINGE AND ANCHOR CAUSING THE HINGE ASSEMBLY TO BREAK APART . THIS STRESS ALSO CAUSES THE ANCHOR THAT TO HOLDS THE VISOR AT REST TO RIP OUT. THIS IS CLEARLY IS A DESGIN FLAW AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD OUT OF WARR…
Read full complaint
BOTH VISORS (L&R) HAVE BROKEN. WHEN THE VISOR IS LATCHED OUT OF THE WAY THERE IS UNDUE STRESS ON THE HINGE AND ANCHOR CAUSING THE HINGE ASSEMBLY TO BREAK APART . THIS STRESS ALSO CAUSES THE ANCHOR THAT TO HOLDS THE VISOR AT REST TO RIP OUT. THIS IS CLEARLY IS A DESGIN FLAW AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD OUT OF WARRANTY AT 39,000 MILES, SORRY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10091397
26,000 miles · Aug 23, 2004
Tires
I HAVE HAD 2 OF THE 4 GENERAL TIRES THAT CAME ON MY 2001 TOYOTA AVALON FAIL RECENTLY. FORTUNATELY NEITHER ONE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND I HAD THEM R…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD 2 OF THE 4 GENERAL TIRES THAT CAME ON MY 2001 TOYOTA AVALON FAIL RECENTLY. FORTUNATELY NEITHER ONE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND I HAD THEM REPLACE IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE. I DISCOVERED THE SECOND TIRE HAD FAILED WHEN I TOOK IT TO A TIRE STORE BECAUSE IT WAS LOW AND I SUSPECTED A PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE TIRE FOR A PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT FRONT END SHIMMY BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH. WHILE THE TIRE WAS BEING CHECKED THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE HAD A SEPARATION. THESE TIRES HAVE ONLY 26,000 MILES ON THEM AND I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THEM PROPERLY INFLATED AND I ROTATED AND BALANCED THEM EVERY 6,000 MILES. HAVE NOT CHECKED THE OTHER TWO TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY CAR BUT HAVE NOT NOTICED A PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088443
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
100 miles · Jun 23, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
INTERMITTENTLY AT A STOP VEHICLE SURGED. CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP. *AK THE COSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10063502
45,000 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE DEALER STATD THE INDICATOR SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076162
40,000 miles · May 11, 2004
Structure
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01V072000 CONCERNING SUB FRAME FAILURE: AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A DIP THE BOTTOM HITS THE GROUND. THIS HAS CAUSED UNNECESSARY WEAR TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE UNDER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MODEL/MAKE, AND YEAR IS ON RECALL, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO V…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01V072000 CONCERNING SUB FRAME FAILURE: AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A DIP THE BOTTOM HITS THE GROUND. THIS HAS CAUSED UNNECESSARY WEAR TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE UNDER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MODEL/MAKE, AND YEAR IS ON RECALL, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073469
26,519 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Equipment
VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY CIRCULATES THE AIR IN THE VEHICLE OR BRING FRESH AIR INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DEVICE CANNOT BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY, NOT BY THE CONSUMER OR THE DEALERSHIP. THIS POSSES A HEALTH HAZARD BECAUSE THE AIR QUALITY IN THE STATE WHERE CONSUMER LIVES IN IS BAD, AND WHEN THE DEVICE BRING…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE THAT AUTOMATICALLY CIRCULATES THE AIR IN THE VEHICLE OR BRING FRESH AIR INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DEVICE CANNOT BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY, NOT BY THE CONSUMER OR THE DEALERSHIP. THIS POSSES A HEALTH HAZARD BECAUSE THE AIR QUALITY IN THE STATE WHERE CONSUMER LIVES IN IS BAD, AND WHEN THE DEVICE BRINGS THE BAD AIR INTO THE VEHICLE THE AIR MAKES THE OCCUPANTS SICK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10071793
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…
Read full complaint
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
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2004
StructureVisibility
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DISTRACTING LIGHT THAT INTERFERES WITH MY NIGHT OPERATION OF THE CAR. AT NIGHT, AWAY FROM LIGHTS, I SEE THE 140 FROM THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE E FROM THE FUEL GAGE, REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMAGE IS UPSIDE DOWN AND THE LIGHT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS DEAD AHEAD IN THE FIELD OF TRAVEL. I HAVE ADJU…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DISTRACTING LIGHT THAT INTERFERES WITH MY NIGHT OPERATION OF THE CAR. AT NIGHT, AWAY FROM LIGHTS, I SEE THE 140 FROM THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE E FROM THE FUEL GAGE, REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMAGE IS UPSIDE DOWN AND THE LIGHT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS DEAD AHEAD IN THE FIELD OF TRAVEL. I HAVE ADJUSTED MY SEAT SO I AM AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, THE TOP OF MY HEAD IS ABOUT 1" FROM THE CEILING. I'VE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALER. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT SEE THE REFLECTION, BUT IF IT IS THERE, THEY REPORT "THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE". *JB
NHTSA ODI #10063828
13,150 miles · Mar 23, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE SLID TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH THE WHEELS LOCKED ON A SNOWY AND ICY ROAD AT 35 MPH. *PH THE VEHICLE ENDED UP SLIDING INTO A DITCH. NONE OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED DURING THIS ACCIDENT. *NM
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.
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.
2001 Toyota Avalon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration