MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON (TOURING MODEL) HAS A DEFECTIVE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. ABOUT EVERY HALF AN HOUR IT WILL COME LOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL DROP OUT OF MY HANDS AND THE LOCK WILL JAM AGAINST MY LEG, CUTTING ME. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. TOYOTA DENIES THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THEY HAVE …
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MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON (TOURING MODEL) HAS A DEFECTIVE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. ABOUT EVERY HALF AN HOUR IT WILL COME LOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL DROP OUT OF MY HANDS AND THE LOCK WILL JAM AGAINST MY LEG, CUTTING ME. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. TOYOTA DENIES THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD EASILY RESULT IN DEATH. THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL AND EASILY COMES LOSE SIMPLY DUE TO VIBRATION AND THE EFFECT OF GRAVITY ON THE LOCKING DEVICE. THE LAST TIME TOYOTA CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY BENT THE MECHANISM SO THAT IT WOULD NOT COME LOSE AS EASILY. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS NOT A PROPER METHOD OF REPAIRING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254968
53,124 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Steering
STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE PER DEALER. I NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AND VIBRATION AS I WAS DRIVING. I ASKED DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY ADVISED ME I NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $1835. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD ONLY GET WORSE IF IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS BETWEEN ME , THE DEALER AND TOYOTA NORTH …
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STEERING COLUMN IS DEFECTIVE PER DEALER. I NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AND VIBRATION AS I WAS DRIVING. I ASKED DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY ADVISED ME I NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $1835. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD ONLY GET WORSE IF IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS BETWEEN ME , THE DEALER AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA REGARDING WARRANTY AND SAFETY ISSUES, I APPROVED THE REPAIR. THE REPAIR [ REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN] WAS COMPLETED ON AUGUST 28, 2008 AND I HAVE THE REPLACED PARTS. I PAID THE BILL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS 5 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240674
43,000 miles · Mar 24, 2008
Steering
"MAINTENANCE REQUIRED" LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. AFTER MENTIONING A CONCERN I HAD, I WAS CALLED AND TOLD THAT MY STEERING COLUMN SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID NOT FEEL ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING FROM WHEN I LAST BROUGHT IT IN BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. NOW, I HAVE A $600 + BILL AT 43,00…
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"MAINTENANCE REQUIRED" LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. AFTER MENTIONING A CONCERN I HAD, I WAS CALLED AND TOLD THAT MY STEERING COLUMN SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID NOT FEEL ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING FROM WHEN I LAST BROUGHT IT IN BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. NOW, I HAVE A $600 + BILL AT 43,000 MILES. I'VE ALWAYS HAD TOYOTA'S AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING QUITE A FEW PROBLEMS OF LATE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222173
44,300 miles · Dec 28, 2007
Steering
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATING AS IDENTIFIED IN RECALL YET TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS. ID 05V227000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213088
45,000 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 5-40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND HE HEARD CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR STEERING: COLUMN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #05V227000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUD…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 5-40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND HE HEARD CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR STEERING: COLUMN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #05V227000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/29/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10212901
13,600 miles · Jun 8, 2007
Steering
STEERING CLUNKS HEARD WHILE TURNING VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. AUTO PURCHASED USED, WITH MANUFACTURER WARRENTY AND CERTIFIED BY TOYOTA TO 84 MONTHS OR 100,000. VEHICHLE CURRENTLY HAS 14,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10192792
40,000 miles · Jun 1, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 05V227000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 05V227000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10192231
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2007
Steering
STEERING COLUMN MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT: SERVICE DEPARTMENT FIRST REPLACED RIGHT WHEEL BEARING AXLE. WHEN I SAID I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, THEY REPLACED STEERING SHAFT AND JOINT. FIXED PROBLEM *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189188
3,000 miles · Apr 25, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED FROM THE EXTENDED POSITION WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL OR DRIVING 45 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN SEEN, AND WANTED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS. THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED FROM THE EXTENDED POSITION WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL OR DRIVING 45 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN SEEN, AND WANTED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS. THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT FELT THE LOCKING LEVER DETACHED AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL DESCENDED. ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE LEVER BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 30,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10188816
25,000 miles · Jan 29, 2007
Steering
REPORTING A PROBLEM (NOISE IN STEERING) WITH HIS 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. **CC THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT IT WOULD BE A FEW DAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART TO ARRIVE. AFTER TWO WEEKS THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN. THIS TIME THE INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *NM
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING YOKE WAS NOT WELDED TO THE STEERING SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE YOKE MAY COME OFF FROM THE SHAFT, AND COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING YOKE AND SHAFT WELD CONDITION, AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 2, 2005. 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
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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