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2002 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

76 reports with mileage · 40 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

116 reports
159,500 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Air Bags

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627547

215,000 miles · Apr 25, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215,000. UPDATED 6/27/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10584942

160,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED RECURRINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE SYSTEM WAS RESET BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V147000(AIR BAG) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED RECURRINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE SYSTEM WAS RESET BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V147000(AIR BAG) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10576908

140,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN FLASHED RANDOMLY EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN FLASHED RANDOMLY EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN PIN AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOX NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE STEERING FAILURE HOWEVER AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140000. UPDATED 05/22/14 MA UPDATED 8/8/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10576889

191,187 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON 9/24/13 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I DROVE RIGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM WAS BELOW THRESHOLD ( CODE P0420). THIS REPAIR COST ME $2,541.27. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING. AFTER PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR MY AIR…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME ON 9/24/13 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I DROVE RIGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM WAS BELOW THRESHOLD ( CODE P0420). THIS REPAIR COST ME $2,541.27. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING. AFTER PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR MY AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH, EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC DID NOT SHOW A CODE. I WAS PREVIOUSLY TOLD THE CODE FOR THE AIR BAG WAS B0113. SINCE PURCHASING THIS 2002 AVALON I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VALVE ASSY, IDLE REPLACED AT A COST OF 978.63, THIS IS IN ADDITION TO REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICES. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS FOR THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME AND MILES AS THIS TOYOTA AND I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS OUTSIDE REGULAR SERVICES WITH ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES (MAZDA AND ACURA) I HAVE COMPLETELY LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE TOYOTA BRAND. I BELIEVE THERE ARE DEFECTS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE 2002 AVALON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550051

155,995 miles · May 14, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AND MADE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AND MADE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,995.

NHTSA ODI #10511875

75,655 miles · May 9, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH AND GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE DIRECTL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH AND GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT. THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND IT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND BACK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,655.

NHTSA ODI #10511231

183,058 miles · Apr 23, 2013
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND I PUT ON MY BRAKES SUDDENLY AND THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON ALL DAY. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH COST ME 97 DOLLARS, THE CODE WAS B0113 RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG DEFECT. I WAS QUOTED 2,000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. THE AIR BAGS ON MY CAR HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED AND I THINK…

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I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND I PUT ON MY BRAKES SUDDENLY AND THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON ALL DAY. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH COST ME 97 DOLLARS, THE CODE WAS B0113 RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG DEFECT. I WAS QUOTED 2,000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. THE AIR BAGS ON MY CAR HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED AND I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY TOYOTA FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI #10511111

160,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT DIVIDER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT, WHO WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WAS TRANSPORT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT DIVIDER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT, WHO WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A NECK INJURY AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND FRACTURED VERTEBRAE REQUIRING SURGERY. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. ...UPDATED 08-10-12 *BF UPDATED 08/14/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464392

101,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD BE SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT GIVE ANY DETAILS OF WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #10436143

Official recalls

1

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.

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.