THE LEVER THAT LOCKS THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE LOOSENS/DISENGAGES, RESULTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL 'LURCHING' FORWARD. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. THE LEVER IS UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND ENGAGES/TIGHTENS BY PUSHING IT UP TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LEVER ENGAGES BY 'COMPRES…
Read full complaint
THE LEVER THAT LOCKS THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE LOOSENS/DISENGAGES, RESULTING IN THE STEERING WHEEL 'LURCHING' FORWARD. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. THE LEVER IS UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND ENGAGES/TIGHTENS BY PUSHING IT UP TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LEVER ENGAGES BY 'COMPRESSION' ONLY - THERE IS NOT CLIP OR SPRING THAT PHYSICALLY 'LOCKS' THE LEVER IN PLACE. OVER TIME, FOR WHATEVER REASON (ROAD BUMPS/VIBRATIONS/ETC. AND WITH THE HELP OF GRAVITY) THE LEVER LOOSENS/DISENGAGES. THIS IS AN INHERENT SAFETY DESIGN FLAW IN THE TELESCOPING FUNCTION, AND COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS/TRAGIC ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED OR WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN. THERE WERE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LOGGED BY OTHER TOYOTA AVALON OWNERS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES WHEN I SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428017
35,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Steering
THE LEVER TO ADJUST THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2008 TOYOTA AVALON DOES NOT STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION. IT DISENGAGES (FALLS DOWN), RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENABLES IT TO SLIDE IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL INSTANCES IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LA…
Read full complaint
THE LEVER TO ADJUST THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2008 TOYOTA AVALON DOES NOT STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION. IT DISENGAGES (FALLS DOWN), RELEASING THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENABLES IT TO SLIDE IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL INSTANCES IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER INTERNET SITES THAT OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT HAVE TRIED TO OBTAIN A REMEDY WITH NO LUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402475
1,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Steering
THE LEVER TO ADJUST THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2008 TOYOTA AVALON DOES NOT STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION. IT FALLS DOWN, RELEASES THE STREEING WHIEEL AND THEN IT SLIDES IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. IN THE LOWERED POSITION I HAVE TORN CLOTHING GETTING IN/OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE PERMANENTLY SCARED MY KNEE AS WELL. I'VE TAK…
Read full complaint
THE LEVER TO ADJUST THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2008 TOYOTA AVALON DOES NOT STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION. IT FALLS DOWN, RELEASES THE STREEING WHIEEL AND THEN IT SLIDES IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. IN THE LOWERED POSITION I HAVE TORN CLOTHING GETTING IN/OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE PERMANENTLY SCARED MY KNEE AS WELL. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIR THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. NOT SURE WHAT THEY DID THE 2ND TIME. THE 3RD TIME THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT! YEAH, RIGHT! VERY POOR DESIGN AND DANGEROUS. AND INJURIOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393912
15,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Steering
CKS OF THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. WE HAVE AND ARE GOING TO LOSE BIG BY DEVALUATION OF OUR VEHICLES UPON ATTEMPTS TO SELL OR TRADE. THE ATTENTION TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES ON A TIMELY MANNER HAS GONE BY THE WAYSIDE . THIS WE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH CARDENAS TOYOTA IN HARLINGEN, TEXAS WHERE WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE NEW. OUR GOVERNMENT AGENC…
Read full complaint
CKS OF THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. WE HAVE AND ARE GOING TO LOSE BIG BY DEVALUATION OF OUR VEHICLES UPON ATTEMPTS TO SELL OR TRADE. THE ATTENTION TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES ON A TIMELY MANNER HAS GONE BY THE WAYSIDE . THIS WE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH CARDENAS TOYOTA IN HARLINGEN, TEXAS WHERE WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE NEW. OUR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SHOULD BE PROTECTING THE CONSUMER, NOT ENCRICHING THE GOVERNMENT TREASURY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342091
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, IT WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CONTINUED TO DRIFT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE AND TO TAKE IT SOME WHERE ELSE. THIS …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT, IT WOULD DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CONTINUED TO DRIFT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE AND TO TAKE IT SOME WHERE ELSE. THIS OCCURRED SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10315210
500 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering
VEHICLE IS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENTS OF WHICH THERE ARE TWO ON OUR VEHICLE. THE GREATER CONCERN IS WITH THE LOCKING LATCH ON THE TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN. IN APPROXIMATELY SIX SEPARATE INCIDENTS, THE LATCH FOR UNKNOWN REASON SLOWLY DROPS WITHOUT WARNING. THE LATCH CAN NOT B…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE IS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENTS OF WHICH THERE ARE TWO ON OUR VEHICLE. THE GREATER CONCERN IS WITH THE LOCKING LATCH ON THE TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN. IN APPROXIMATELY SIX SEPARATE INCIDENTS, THE LATCH FOR UNKNOWN REASON SLOWLY DROPS WITHOUT WARNING. THE LATCH CAN NOT BE SEEN FROM THE DRIVER POSITION. AN ALARMING SHOCK OCCURS WHEN YOU BRAKE HARD AND LEAN ON THE WHEEL CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO TELESCOPE DOWNWARD SUDDENLY. LOSS OF CONTROL IS TEMPORARY BUT IS DANGEROUS.THE UP AND DOWN ADJUSTMENT LATCH SIMILAR DROPS WITHOUT WARNING BUT NOT AS OFTEN AS THE TELESCOPE LOCK. THESE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THEY NOTED NO DEFECT. WE HAVE OUR DOUBTS AND CONCERNS IN VIEW OF THE RECENT ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALLS. OUR AVALON ACCELERATOR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED, BUT WE REMAIN APPREHENSIVE. THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SHOULD OPEN AN INVESTIGATION ON THE STEERING COLUMNS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313418
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesSteering
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN WILL RANDOMLY DEPRESS. THE LATCH THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE WILL RANDOMLY LOOSEN UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WILL GO ALL THE WAY IN. I ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM. JUST …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN WILL RANDOMLY DEPRESS. THE LATCH THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE WILL RANDOMLY LOOSEN UP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WILL GO ALL THE WAY IN. I ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM. JUST THOUGHT I MIGHT MENTION IT WITH ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAS BEEN HAVING. *TR
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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
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. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
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.
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.
2008 Toyota Avalon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration