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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
104,281 miles · Jun 3, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DAMAGED WIRE CONNECTOR UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DAMAGED WIRE CONNECTOR UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPAIRED YET, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG EXHIBITED A SHORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,281 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10404334

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

2002 TOYOTA AVALON. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM COMPLAINT REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND ON ONE OCCASION, SHE WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. SHE ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE T…

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2002 TOYOTA AVALON. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM COMPLAINT REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND ON ONE OCCASION, SHE WENT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. SHE ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 04/05/11

NHTSA ODI #10394592

143,000 miles · Mar 7, 2011
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF ROAD, CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF ROAD, CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V345000 (STEERING) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO DATE, HE/SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A REPORT FROM TOYOTA. UPDATED 06/20/11

NHTSA ODI #10386731

72,350 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA AVALON 2002 WITH @ 67K MILES ON IT TWO MONTHS AGO. I NOTICED THAT IT OCCASIONALLY HAD BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT ON COLD START UP. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AFTER 2,700 MILES ELAPSED FROM WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. I DID A CARFAX REPORT ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND IT SHOWED TH…

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I BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA AVALON 2002 WITH @ 67K MILES ON IT TWO MONTHS AGO. I NOTICED THAT IT OCCASIONALLY HAD BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT ON COLD START UP. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AFTER 2,700 MILES ELAPSED FROM WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. I DID A CARFAX REPORT ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND IT SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A ONE OWNER CAR WITH NO REPAIR OR DAMAGE HISTORY BEFORE IT WAS TRADED IN. MY WIFE DROVE IT FOR @ 2,000 MILES AFTER THE OIL CHANGE WHEN THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MILES FROM OUR HOME. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT DIDN'T READ ANYTHING ON THE DIP STICK. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN IT TOOK 4 1/2 QUARTS TO READ FULL. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER (EHRLICH TOYOTA, GREELEY, CO) THAT DID MY OIL CHANGE AND THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TODAY TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY ABOUT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SLUDGE THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES SEVER DAMAGE TO THE AFFECTED ENGINES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THAT I PURCHASED ON THE 17TH OF SEPTEMBER 2010. I DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA CAME OUT WITH A CSP (CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM) TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. IN ESSENCE, TOYOTA AGREED TO PERFORM ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS (INCLUDING ENGINE REPAIR/OVERHAUL) IF THE VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE OWNER COULD PROVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES HAD BEEN DONE. THIS "ONE TIME" GOOD FAITH FIX APPLIED TO THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS PLUS 120 DAYS AFTER IT'S ORIGINAL PURCHASE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY AVALON BOUGHT THE CAR ON THE 24TH OF JUNE 2002. THAT ESSENTIALLY MAKES MY CAR OUT OF THE ZONE FOR THIS REPAIR AS OF THE 24TH OF OCTOBER 2010. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE DEALER SAID IT'S MY PROBLEM! I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW FURIOUS THIS MAKES ME THAT I'M NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF AT THE PURCHASE DATE OF SEPT 17TH 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368274

39,600 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,800.

NHTSA ODI #10362591

25,000 miles · Oct 5, 2010
SteeringTires

I'VE HAD MY 2002 TOYOTA AVALON SINCE IT HAD ABOUT 25,500 MILES. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 77500. FROM THE START OF OWNING THE CAR, THE TIRES WERE WORN AS IF THE CAR WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. WE HAD IT ALIGNED AT A REPUTABLE COMPANY, PURCHASED TOP OF THE LINE MICHELIN TIRES. THEY WORE INCORRECTLY JUST AS THE FIRST ONES ON THE CAR WHEN WE …

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I'VE HAD MY 2002 TOYOTA AVALON SINCE IT HAD ABOUT 25,500 MILES. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 77500. FROM THE START OF OWNING THE CAR, THE TIRES WERE WORN AS IF THE CAR WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. WE HAD IT ALIGNED AT A REPUTABLE COMPANY, PURCHASED TOP OF THE LINE MICHELIN TIRES. THEY WORE INCORRECTLY JUST AS THE FIRST ONES ON THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT IN SPITE OF PROPERTY ROTATING OF THEM, ETC. LAST NOV OR SO, WE REPLACED THE TIRES AGAIN WHICH SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER THAN THEY DID. AGAIN, THE TIRES ARE WEARING IMPROPERLY. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED NO LESS THAN ONCE PER YEAR. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE STEERING. IF YOU BARELY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IT "OVERCORRECTS". I'VE LEARNED TO DRIVE IT CAREFULLY WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT EVERY PERSON WHO HAS DRIVEN IS ASTOUNDED AT THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE. I'VE SENDING THIS NOW BECAUSE I RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND TELEPHONED THE DEALER TO ASK IF THIS IS WHY IT IS RECALLED. HE SAID IT ISN'T. THEREFORE, I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. OTHER THAN THESE ITEMS, THE CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359243

71,000 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Steering

2002 TOYOTA AVALON WAS REPAIRED DUE TO RECALL ON STEERING COLUMN. AFTER REPAIR, I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF IGNITION WHILE CAR WAS IN DRIVE MODE. WHICH SAFETY DEFECT IS WORSE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356884

30,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) BUT WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED EXPECTANCY DATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) BUT WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED EXPECTANCY DATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH IF THE FAILURE EXISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE OF AVAILABILITY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356183

92,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) AND CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING) AND CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHILE WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10355602

127,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V345000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10355245

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.