2002 Toyota Avalon

Routine

Owners filed 116 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
92,000 milesMedian miles at failure

76 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags25
404
Vehicle Speed Control16
1205
Steering15
201
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal4
100
Air Bags › Side/Window4
302
Unknown or Other3
100
Tires3
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
000
Service Brakes3
102
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Steering10V345000
Filed Jul 29, 2010372,593 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Feb 10, 2025TN

Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002 model is affected and should be recalled for the same issue before it kills someone. Also the shifter will not not go into drive without first pushing it forward and backwards several times to engage and the green D light on the dashboard will not show up.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2023SC

Bosch ABS anti skid, anti lock brake moduled failed. No brakes. Toyota US has no replacements parts available. Bosch no longer produces. Called Toyota Customer Service three times. Got to the management end and Senior Advisor told me, warranty expired, norhing we can do. I said, there are a bunch of 2000 to 2004 Toyota Avalons/Lexus 300 vehicles out there (same car except nameplates) with the same problem! Same answer: Toyota, LLC has no further interest in those models and warranty has expired. So, I have limited options: 1. Junk the car (funs and drives like new), 2. Start a legal proceeding (costs prohibitive), 3. notify NHTSA. So, I (and X# of others that own this model) have a seroius safety problem. What Can the NHTSA do?

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 10, 2021IA

Headlights failed to operate correctly, resulting in taking the car to fix problem , service advisor told me that this veh vin number shows this car should not havve automatly controled headlights, the car is being serviced at cedar rapids toyota , steve lemke is the servvice advisior

Air Bags
Filed Oct 3, 2020140,082 milesNC

THE 2003-2004 MODEL AVALON'S HAVE A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAGS WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN FREQUENCIES AND NOISES. MY 2002 AVALON HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR AS WELL. I'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR EVER, BUT AS SOON AS IT HIT 140,000 MILES THE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH I SEEN THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY DEPENDABLE AND I'VE HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL NOW.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 2, 2020192,000 milesWA

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SLIPPERY ROADS. I WAS EXITING I5 ON TO HIGHWAY 7 IN TACOMA WASHINGTON. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, SLID AND HIT A CEMENT WALL ON HIGHWAY 7. UPON IMPACT I HIT MY HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT UPON IMPACT. I RECEIVED INJURIES DUE TO THIS DISORDER.

Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 26, 2019213,830 milesPR

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO LANES, THEN ACCELERATED TURN HALF ,I THINK, CRASHED (THE FRONT OF THE CAR)WITH A SMALL HILL SOME HOW DID NOT STOP AND ENDED UP SOMEHOW TURNING BACK AND CRASHED AGAIN THIS TIME THE BACK OF THE CAR CRASHED AGAINST THE HILL AND STOPPED. THE CAR SUFFERED SEVERAL BREAKS IN AND A TRANSMISION REPAIR. THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA. IT WAS PERFECT BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT WAS VERY SCARY. JUST A FEW MIN BEFORE THE CRASH I WAS PASSING A TOLL AT ABOUT 28 MPH. AFTER PASSING THE TOOL I WAS FASTER THAN THAT BUT I DO NOT LIKE TO SPEED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 2019115,000 milesOR

WHILE AT THE STORE I FOUND I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY AND GET OU WHILE THE CAR IS STILL IN GEAR. IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL AWAY, CAUSING PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 29, 201818,000 milesLA

AIR BAG FLASHES VSC OFF AND ENGINE FAILURE LIT.LOW MILES. TUNED REPLACING SPARK PLUGS. NO IMPROVEMENT.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Apr 16, 2018SC

MOVING MY CAR FROM A TO B PUT IT IN REVERSE IT JUST TOOK OFF BY IT SELF. IT WAS GOING SO FAST I COULD NOT STOP IT EVEN PRESSING THE BREAKS IT STILL WENT FAST ON IT ON. I STARTED SCREAMING WHY THIS CAR GOING SO FAST AND WHY I CAN'T STOP IT. IT STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE CARPORT AND TO SIENNA VAN UNDER THE CARPORT.WHICH MY VANS ARE DAMAGE VERY BAD. I CALL TOYOTA CORPORATION AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPEN. THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED FROM TOYOTA I SAID MY CAR CARPORT, AND BOTH VANS FIX. THEY GAVE ME A CLAIM NUMBER.SO THEY ARE HAVING AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT IT I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED. THEY WORK FOR TOYOTA AND MAY SAY THE CAR IS FINE BUT I KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. IT IS SCARY, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IN MY OWN BACKYARD.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 26, 2017VA

AIRBAG ON WITH ERROR CODE B0113 ( SHORT INSIDE SQUIB HR CIRCUIT TO +B ) AND CAN NOT ERASE CODE.

Steering
Filed Aug 19, 201792,000 milesMS

WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN LIKE IT GET STUCK CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.I WAS DRIVING A CITY STREET WHEN I NOTICE A FEW DAYS AGO. JUST SEEING THE RECALL NOTICE.HOW LONG DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH RECALL.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 26, 2017165,000 milesCA

I WAS LEAVING PARKING LOT @ 1-2 MPH TURNING RIGHT ONTO W TUOLUMNE RD IN TURLOCK CA. SUDDENLY CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A JET, BRAKES DIDN'T DEPRESS, HIT AN ISLAND THEN SLAMMED INTO TREE. I AM INJURED ANS CAR TOTALED. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATION PEDAL PROBLEM.

Electrical System › WiringCrash
Filed May 23, 2017300,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE ELECTRICAL WIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE CRASH WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 6, 2017CA

1)STEERING-WHEN TRYING TO GO STRAIGHT CAR WILL TILT TO THE LEFT, HAVE TO KEEP WHEEL AT WEIRD ANGLE TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE. 2)ACCELERATOR STICKS ACCELERATOR SEEMS STIFF AND STICKY AND CAUSES CAR TO LURCH WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP -WAS MAKING LEFT TURN THROUGH INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET FEBRUARY 4TH AND ACCELERATOR STUCK UNTIL IT WAS PUMPED, INCREASING MY SPEED. WAS TERRIFYING. 3)RUST RIDDEN ROTERS AND BREAK ANTI-RUST COVERS NOT WORKING AT ALL 4)VISIBILITY-WINDSHIELD'S SEAL SEEMS DEFECTIVE-VIN NUMBER NOT VISIBLE DUE TO CONDENSATION BUILDING IN LOWER CORNER, WINDSHIELD FOGS UP PROFUSELY AND STAYS THAT WAY EVEN WITH DEFROSTER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF FRONT WINDSHIELD 5)HEATER-BLOWS COOLED AIR (NOT ROOM TEMP) INSTEAD OF WARM WHEN TURNED ON, SEEMS LIKE COMPUTER ERROR IN THERMOSTATE/TEMPERATURE GAGE 6)SIDE WINDOWS SHAKE/STUDDER WHEN ROLLED UP OR DOWN

Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 2016WV

AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME . DEALER CANNOT FIX IT.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 29, 2016203,883 milesTN

SRS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED FLASHING ON CAR. TOOK CAR TO HAVE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED. LIGHT NO LONGER FLASHED. 5 DAYS LATER THE SRS WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING AGAIN. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT SOME CAR MANUFACTURERS WILL FIX SAFETY ISSUES UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. CAN TOYOTA FIX THESE PROBLEMS FREE OF CHARGE? I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT BEFORE I SPEND MORE MONEY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE WHY THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE SAID THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ITEMS REPAIRED AND THE LIGHT STILL FLASHES. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD FIX.

Engine
Filed Mar 30, 201671,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FUEL CAP AND FUEL LINE HOSE WERE REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS AFTER EACH REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. MOST RECENT, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Nov 24, 2015268,464 milesTX

DURING A FRONT-END COLLISION IN WHICH MY CAR WAS STOPPED AND RAMMED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THE AIR BAG INFLATION SENSOR WAS SHEARED OFF IT'S MOUNTING BRACKET. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO INFLATE BECAUSE THE SENSOR FAILED TO DETECT THE IMPACT.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 201527,000 milesFL

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 30, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 12/11/15 *BF UPDATED 12/15/15. *JB

20 of 116 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20228000Routine
202121200Routine
202010301Fatalities reported
201970400Routine
201824200Routine
2017142010Fatalities reported
201623310Routine
201541200Routine
201496410Routine
2013137410Routine
201230410Routine
2011106100Routine
201046700Routine
200991710Routine
2008349640Above average
2007243614Fatalities reported
2006360742Fatalities reported
2005228731Fatalities reported
2004205302Fatalities reported
2003293221Fatalities reported
2002 — this page116120Routine
2001134213Fatalities reported
2000173220Routine
199992211Fatalities reported
1998178210Routine
1997125101Fatalities reported
1996109001Fatalities reported
199580040Routine

Compare every Avalon year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 29, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.