Page 3 of 5 · complaints 101–150 of 228

2005 Toyota Avalon complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Power Train
Filed Mar 23, 201065,000 milesNJ

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). WE OWN A 2005 TOYOTO AVALON. AFTER HAVING THE TOYOTA SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN/RECALL (SSC AOA - ACCELERATOR PEDAL REINFORCEMENT) DONE ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY APPLYING THE BRAKES VERY HARD. WE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA. THEY GAVE US A CASE NUMBER, 1003190624, AND SAID THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT US YESTERDAY TO INVESTIGATE. TOYOTA DID NOT CONTACT US ON THE DATE THEY GAVE. WE WERE AT HOME ALL DAY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS INCIDENT AND FOLLOW-UP WITH TOYOTA. [XXX] *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 18, 2010CA

2005 TOYOTA AVALON - SENT CAR IN ON THURS, MAR 11TH FOR FIXES PER RECALL ON ACCELERATOR AND FLOOR MAT. THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE FIX HAD BEEN COMPLETED, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR WAS FIXED AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN REDWOOD CITY, CA. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 17, 2010NE

I HAVE A TOYOTA AVALON (2005) THAT HAS BEEN IN TO TOYOTA FOR ALL THE RECALLS (FLOORMAT, ACCELERATOR). ON MARCH 14, 2010 I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT STOP IT EVEN BY PUTTING 2 FEET ON THE BRAKE. I STEERED THE CAR OVER TOWARDS THE CURB, JUMPED IT AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON WHILE BOTH FEET WERE ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR THEN STOPPED. I WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN DROVE SLOWLY AND APPREHENSIVELY HOME. I CALLED THE DEALER FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO THE SHOP UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING. THE CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALER'S AS THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO RECREATE WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE TALKING TO KANSAS CITY AND CALIFORNIA. MY FEAR IS THAT NOTHING WILL BE FOUND, THEY CANNOT ASSURE ME THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM VERY APPREHENSIVE AS I AWAIT THE OUTCOME. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE? *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 16, 201055,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE BUSH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT A MANUFACTURER INSPECTION WAS REQUIRED BEFORE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD POSSIBLY TAKE MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR SUCH A LENGTHY PERIOD AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE SERVICE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 14, 20101,931 milesMT

RE: 2005 TOYOTA AVALON// 11/22/05 WE WERE ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE// BOTH FEET ON BRAKE// ACCELERATED TO APPROX 85 MPH// PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL///THE CAR REVVED TO 8000 RPM'S// HEARD A POP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. WE DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER AND HAVE ALL OF THIS DOCUMENTED. *TR

EquipmentCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 13, 201056,000 milesLA

I WAS GETTING INTO A TURN LANE WHICH HAD A RED LIGHT, THERE WERE NO CARS AHEAD OF ME. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND THEN IN PARK AND THEN TURNED THE KEY OF AND GOT IT BY ANOTHER CAR AND MY CAR STILL KEPT GOING, ALTHOUGH IT DID SLOW DOWN AND STOP AFTER BEING HIT. I BROUGHT THIS SAME CAR IN FOR THE RECALL FIX ON FEB 24 2010. AND THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE RECALL FIX. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 9, 201048,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED PER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. A DIFFERENT DRIVER EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48103.

Steering
Filed Mar 9, 201052,024 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE RETAINING CLIP THAT HOUSED THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,024 AND THE CURRENT WAS 54,381. UPDATED 4/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL TELESCOPING FEATURE WOULD NOT LOCK AND MOVE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/06/10 *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 9, 201047,800 milesMD

WE PURCHASED A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. SINCE 2007. WE COMPLAINED OF ERRATIC ACCELERATION AND DOWNSHIFTING PROBLEMS. WE ALSO REPORTED ELECTRICAL ISSUES INVOLVING THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BLINKING ON AND OFF. EACH RESPONSE WAS YOUR CAR PASSED ALL OF OUR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS'. LAST YEAR, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, OUR CAR SURGED FORWARD HITTING A VEHICLE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS HURT. ON JANUARY 25, 2010, WHILE ACCELERATING ON A BRIDGE INCLINE, THE CAR DID NOT SLOW WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS RELEASED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND STEERED OFF THE ROAD HITTING A CURB. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER. AFTER PERFORMING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, WE WERE INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE SURGING COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED. WHEN ASKED IF THE CAR HAD THE CTS GAS PEDAL, THE SERVICE MANAGER WASN'T SURE. AFTER CHECKING, HE CONFIRMED IT DID HAVE THE RECALLED PEDAL. WE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED US THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS AND SAID THE TWO INCIDENTS WERE NOT RELATED TO THE FAULTY GAS PEDAL BECAUSE THEY TOOK PLACE TOO FAR APART. AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA CORPORATE (REPEATEDLY) WE FINALLY HAD THE 'PEDAL FIX' TAKEN CARE OF YESTERDAY. FROM THE START, WE FELT THE DEALER IGNORED US. . ONE EMPLOYEE TOLD US 'IF IT IS RELATED TO THE GAS PEDAL, IT WILL BE THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON THE EAST COAST.' WE HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS FOR OVER 25 YEARS. WE FULLY UNDERSTAND RECALLS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND DOWNPLAYING THE CONCERNS OF CUSTOMERS. TRUTHFULLY, WE FEEL NO SAFER AFTER THE NEW PART WAS I

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 killed
Filed Mar 8, 2010NY

ON 1/17/2009 MY MOTHERS CAR LEFT THE PAVED ROADWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH AND STRUCK A BRICK WALL. NO SKID MARKS WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME AND WE NOW BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED THE CRASH AND SUBSEQUENT DEATH OF MY MOTHER. UPDATED 03/14/10 *BF UPDATED 05/10/10*JB UPDATED 9/29/11*CW

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 8, 2010124,000 milesNC

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENCES OF UNINTENDED AND SUDDEN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). ACCELERATION WITH MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON [XXX] . ONE RESULTED INTO ME CRASHING INTO THE GARAGE. I HAVE FORMALLY WRITTEN TO JAMES LENTZ AND AKIO TOYODA AND I HAVE HAD MY CAR INSPECTED BY HERB WILKIE FROM TOYOTA. I NO LONGER FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE... *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 8, 20101,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND HE COULD NOT KEEP IT POSITIONED STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE HE PURCHASED IT. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 6, 201049,754 milesGA

WE HAVE A POSSIBLE BRAKE PEDAL INTERFERENCE AND A VARIABLE VALUE TIMING ISSUE ON OUR 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 5, 201053,000 milesNC

OUR 2005 TOYOTA AVALON WAS SERVICED FOR SAFETY RECALL ON 3/1/10 AND GAS PEDAL FEEL BECAME MORE SENSITIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. ON 3/2/10 WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED SEVERAL TIMES DURING NORMAL APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THIS WAS ALARMING AND VERY DISCONCERTING. SUBSEQUENT DRIVING LATER THIS WEEK DID NOT EFFECT A REPEAT OF THE ABS CONCERNS. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL SLIGHT SURGE IN SPEED WHICH SEEMS TO RELATE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS WHICH DID HAPPEN BEFORE THE RECALL SERVICE. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Mar 5, 2010108,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, A VEHICLE PRECEEDING VEHICLE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES SUDDENLY TO AVOID HITTING AN ANIMAL IN THE STREET. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES, HOWEVER THE BRAKES DID NOT CATCH IN TIME AND SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 40 MPH, A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPING AND SHE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, CAUSING MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ADDITIONAL CRASHES WHERE SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THEY WOULD NOT ENGAGE OR WERE SLOW TO ENGAGE. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR LOCAL DEALER WERE CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 5, 2010MO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE, APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. AN INCREASE OF ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED RECALL NUMBER 1001101339. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FLOOR MAT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ UPDATED 01/27/11*JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 4, 201059,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE, APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE BEYOND THE CRUISE CONTROL SET SPEED. THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 4, 201064,883 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MARCH 1, 2010 FOR THE ACCELERATOR REPLACEMENT. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER, WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN INTO A DRIVE WAY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. HE PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS AND DID NOT RESPOND. HE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HE DROVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED IT MIGHT BE THE COMPUTER BECAUSE IT WAS RE-SEATED. HE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE MARCH 1ST. THE CONTACT STATED HE IS AFRAID HE WILL EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AGAIN. THE DEALER TOLD HIM IF HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN HE SHOULD PUT HIS RIGHT FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND PUT HIS LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS WILL CAUSE THE GAS SUPPLY TO BE CUT OFF AND WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,883 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,900.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 4, 201063,475 milesCA

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON, BACK ON 4/18/09 I TOOK MY CAR IN TO SOUTH BAY TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM CHECK OUT THIS PROBLEM-MY CAR WAS HESITATING B4 TAKE OFF AND IT WOULD EXCEL FASTER. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT DOWN. BUT THE RESULT FROM TOYOTA WAS: PERFORMED INSPECTION COULD NOT CONFIRM ANY ABNORMALITIES AT THIS TIME. NO PENDING MALFUNCTION CODES STORED IN COMPUTER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WELL I TOOK MY CAR BACK BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF THE RECALL MODEL FOR THE PEDAL AND THEY MADE THE CHANGE ,BUT NOW IT IS WORST NOW, IT ACCELERATES FASTER THAN B4. WHILE WAITING FOR AT A SIGNAL SOME TIMES I CAN HEAR IT SLIGHTLY RARING UP.(I THEN PUT IT IN PARK) AND HOLD THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY. I AM TOTALLY AFRAID OF THIS CAR. I TRIED TO TRADE IT IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER BUT FOR THE SUV I WANT IT WAS TO MUCH, AND THEY WEREN'T WORKING WITH ME AT ALL. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 4, 2010CA

I TOOK MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED FOR ITS RECALL AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK IT WAS WORSE THEN BEFORE IT ACCELERATED FUNNY IT WOULD MAKE THE CAR JERK ALL CRAZY I FELT MORE UNSAFE IN MY CAR THEN BEFORE ....NOW THE CAR IS BACK IN THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY NEED TO RESET THE COMPUTER BUT LETS SEE IF IT WILL WORK ....HOPEFULLY BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT I AM SAFE IN MY CAR I WOULD OF RATHER HAD IT NOT FIXED I FELT MORE SAFE THEN....AND THEY SAID THEY TEST DROVE IT WELL THEY SHOULD OF KNOW THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT IT WOULD JERK AT 25 MPH THEN AT 40 THEN AFTER 60 IT WOULD RIDE SMOOTHLY....VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE TOOK IT BACK RIGHT AWAY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 4, 2010PA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS S 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE OF ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CONTINUED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Equipment Adaptive/MobilityCrash
Filed Mar 4, 201092,000 milesKS

ON FEB. 11, 2010 I TOOK MY TOYOTA AVALON IN FOR THE ACCELERATOR RECALL. ON FEB. 17, 2010 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL I WORKED AT THAT DAY WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED. IT JUMPED THE CURB SIDESWIPING MY CAR WITH A CAR THAT WAS PARKED ON MY RIGHT. AFTER IT HIT THE GROUND FROM JUMPING THE CURB IT ACCELERATED AGAIN HEADING STRAIGHT TOWARD THE SCHOOL BUILDING. I PUT TWO FEET ON THE BRAKE AND PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD. THE CAR DID STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY AAA TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN FORT SMITH, AR (WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED). I BOUGHT THE CAR AT MOLLE TOYOTA IN KC, MO WHERE I LIVE (OVERLAND PARK, KS). THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR CAME THAT DAY TO CHECK THE DAMAGE. HE SAID AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE OUT TO CHECK IT THE "CAUSE OF IMPACT". AS OF NOW, THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY KEEPS TELLING ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO KC FOR REPAIRS AND I TOLD THEM I WILL NOT DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR. I WILL NOT TOUCH THE CAR UNTIL SOMEONE INVESTIGATES THE REASON FOR THE ACCELERATION. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALER, WHO HAS BEEN WONDERFUL; TOYOTA CORPORATE WHO HAS BEEN HORRIBLE (THE FIRST THING "BARBARA" SAID TO ME WAS "WELL, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT?") SHE RELUCTANTLY SAID SHE WOULD CHECK IT OUT. SHE CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER IN FORT SMITH AND TOLD HIM THAT TOYOTA INSPECTORS WOULD BE OUT WITHIN 10 DAYS BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHEN. I CALLED THE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DEPT. WHO SAID THEY DIDN'T DEAL WITH THAT AND TO CALL MY KS ATTORNEY GENERAL. I CALLED

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 3, 201085,000 milesMS

WHILE TRAVELING ON A RURAL COUNTY ROAD; APPROACHING A CURVE; WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOWLY DECEASE SPEED TO GO IN CURVE THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT FASTER, CAUSING ME TO RUN ACROSS AND OFF THE ROAD HITTING A TREE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 2, 201032,000 milesPR

WHILE EN ROUTE FROM SAN JUAN TO PONCE, PR, I DECIDED TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY TOYOTA AVALON 2005. IT WORKED VERY WELL, UNTIL I DECIDED TO USE THE RESUME SPEED OPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. AS SOON AS THE RESUME MOVEMENT WAS ACTIVATED, THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND LUNGED FORWARD AT AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE OF SPEED THAT SCARED US, AND I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE THE RESUME OPTION. THIS OCCURRED TWICE AND THEN I OPTED FOR NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT ALL. RECENTLY MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT FURIEL TOYOTA DEALER HERE IN PONCE, WHERE THE RECALL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACCELERATOR AND OIL HOSE WERE COMPLETED. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 25, 201060,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED TO HIS KNEES HE THEN HAD TO PULL OVER TO CHECK AND FIX IT; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 10 ADDITIONAL TIMES SINCE THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91000.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Feb 24, 201043,072 milesMS

MY 2005 AVALON WITH LESS THAT 40,000 MILES -STILL UNDER WARRANTY -WITHOUT ANY WARNING FROM DASHBOARD LIGHTS BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY-THEN IT SHUT DOWN-I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. TOYOTA HAD THE CAR FOR OVER THREE MONTHS-COULD NOT TELL WHAT CAUSED THIS BUT IT MELTED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TOWARD REPLACING IT. I HAD TO CALL TOYOTA TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE TOWING. I HAD TO DEMAND A COPY OF THE 10 PAGE REPAIR BILL. *TR

Exterior LightingCrash
Filed Feb 24, 201058,000 milesGA

INADEQUATE FORWARD ILLUMINATION OF ROADWAY AT NIGHT WITH LOW BEAMS ON AUTO-LEVELING/ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS ADJUST TO A SETTING TOO LOW TO PROJECT ADEQUATE LIGHT TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR ON POORLY LIT AND MARKED ROAD (EACH OF THESE ELEMENTS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT). ACCIDENT CAUSED APPROX $3500 DAMAGE TO TIRES, RIMS, STEERING ASSEMBLE AND UNDERCARRIAGE. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2010105,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHENEVER THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Feb 23, 201057,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE HAD RISEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000. UPDATED 3/24/10 *CN THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY FROZEN BEARINGS IN THE IDLER PULLEY. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE. UPDATED 08/11/10

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Feb 18, 2010NC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN JULY 2005. SHE STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE VEHICLE WAS VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY VERIFIED THE FAILURE AS TELESCOPIC STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE AS TO WHAT REPAIRS WOULD NEED TO BE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 16, 201046,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT HAD A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT THE END OF A LONG ROAD , WHICH HE TAKES EVERYDAY, THERE IS A TIGHT SPOT WERE PEOPLE SLOW DOWN TO MAKE WHAT IS A VERY TIGHT CURVE THAT THEN GOES UP HILL. THE CONTACT TRIED SLOW DOWN BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPEED UP AS THE CONTACT TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE LARGE ROCKS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46000 MILES AT THE FAILURE AND CURRENTLY HAD 46000 MILES.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 16, 201054,000 milesTX

WE OWN A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON THAT WAS RECALLED AND FIXED..ON 2/15/10 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED AND THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN...SHE AGAIN PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY. WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO OUR DEALER...HOPEFULLY IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN! *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 15, 201055,000 milesMO

ON MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON I HEARD A NOISE LIKE A LOOSE TIE ROD END WOULD MAKE. MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY INSPECTED IT TO SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS. THEY TOLD ME THE NOISE WAS FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FROM NOT ENOUGH GREASE BEING PUT IT AT THE FACTORY. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WAS COMMON FOR THIS CAR. UPON FURTHER CHECKING I FOUND THIS TO BE TRUE. THIS WOULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IF LEFT GO. PLEASE SEE WHY THEY DID NOT RECALL THIS CAR FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 8, 201029,500 milesWA

VVTI HIGH-PRESSURE OIL RUBBER HOSE LEAKAGE PROBLEM ON 2005 AVALON AT 29,500 MILES: HEARD STRANGE ENGINE NOISE; SAW VERY LITTLE OIL ALTHOUGH I HAD CHANGED OIL ONLY 300 MILES AGO AND NO SIGN ON DASHBOARD. PUT 4-5 QUARTS OF OIL AND DROVE 20 MILES AND PARKED. AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SAW A HUGE OIL PUDDLE UNDER THE ENGINE. NEXT MORNING TOWED TO TOYOTA MECHANIC WHO MENTIONED THE ABOVE VVTI RUBBER HOSE LEAKAGE PROBLEM IN BANK 2 (TOP ONE). THE METAL CLIPS CONNECTING THE RUBBER HOSE TO THE OIL METAL TUBE ON BANK 2 ERODE THE RUBBER PORTION WITH TIME, MAKING A SMALL PINHOLE LEAK AT FIRST WHICH CAN LEAD TO A CRACK SUDDENLY UNDER HIGH PRESSURE. GOOGLING IT I FOUND THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE V6 ENGINES ON 2005 AVALONS AND OTHER TOYOTA CARS, SUCH AS, RAV4. TOYOTA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT, BUT IT NEVER WARNED OWNERS LIKE ME ABOUT IT.THROUGH A PERSONAL LETTER. SOME PEOPLE HAD THEIR ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO IT, MINE DID NOT. BUT WORSE WAS IN STORE FOR ME. AFTER THE RUBBER HOSE WAS REPLACED BY ANOTHER SIMILAR RUBBER HOSE, I STARTED NOTICING IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS THAT THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I STARTED IT COLD - AFTER 10-12 HOURS OF OVERNIGHT PARKING, SAY, 75% OF THE TIME, BUT THE NOISE DIED AWAY AFTER 30 SECONDS OR SO; NO NOISE IF WARM. ALSO, A GROWLING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN GOING UP SMALL INDOOR GRADIENTS LIKE PARKING LOTS. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BOLTS ON THE TIMING GEAR IN BOTH BANK 2 AND BANK 1 HAD BECOME LOOSE, TWO BOLTS WERE OUT IN THE GEAR BOX WITH O

Service Brakes, ElectricCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 6, 2010NJ

I WAS REAR ENDED BY A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE OWNER SAID SHE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN BC OF THE BRAKES AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WHEN SHE HIT ME, SHE HAD PROBLEMS STOPPING THE CAR. I AM NOW PERMANENTLY INJURED. *CN

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Feb 5, 201025,000 milesNM

PARKING '05 AVALON WHEN IT ACCELERATED & REAR-ENDED A SUV EVEN THOUGH I WAS BRAKING RESULTING IN ALMOST $3000 IN DAMAGE. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE. HOPING TO HAVE GAS PEDAL REPAIRED AT TOYOTA DEALER WHEN AVAILABLE. WAS NOT AWARE OF MFG DEFECT THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE UNTIL RECENTLY. INSURANCE PREMIUMS WERE INCREASED DUE TO 'AT FAULT' CLAUSE. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 4, 201050,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL LEVER NOT HOLDING IN PLACE. 6-12 TIMES A YEAR WHEN I STOP MY VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL GOES FORWARD TOWARDS THE ENGINE. I LOOK AND THE TELESCOPIC LEVER HAS MOVED DOWN. I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES MY CAR AND THE LEVER IS NEVER ADJUSTED AND NOTHING COULD BE GRABBING THE LEVER. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 3, 2010LA

TOYOTA AVALON 2005. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN POWER SURGE OR RUNAWAY CAR, I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ELECTRONICS. EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, BRAND NEW, IN THE TWILIGHT HOURS OF DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS WILL DIM AND GO BRIGHT WHEN I STEP ON OR LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T REACT WHEN THE SUPERVISOR WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME HE COULDN'T REPORT IT OR SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 3, 201020,000 milesCT

I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON SINCE MAY 20, 2005. NOW IT HAS ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON IT. FROM TIME TO TIME, ESTIMATED AT SEVEN OR SO INSTANCES, I NOTED A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED ONLY DURING BRAKE APPLICATION, NOT AT OTHER TIMES. IN EACH INSTANCE OF UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH A FIRM, STEADY APPLICATION OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THE FIRST RECALL FOR THE FLOOR MAT, I REMOVED THE MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS SKEPTICAL THAT THE MAT WAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A HEAVY, OEM, FITTED MAT WHICH WAS ANCHORED WITH TWO FACTORY INSTALLED HOOKS ON THE FLOOR. THEY ENGAGE THE MAT THROUGH EYELETS NEAR THE MAT'S TRAILING EDGE. WITH THE MAT REMOVED, I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT IN THE GARAGE OF HARTFORD HOSPITAL. IT WAS CLOSE TO A DISASTER BUT THE APPLICATION OF HEAVY, STEADY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE CAR. I CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE CONFIGURED OR POSITIONED SO THAT BOTH ARE ACTIVATED AT THE SAME TIME. ON CLOSE EXAMINATION I CONCLUDED THAT WAS UNLIKELY. I NOW CONCLUDE THESE FAILURES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CTDOT. A REPRESENTATIVE(?) PHONED TO REFER MY CORRESPONDENCE TO FEDERAL DOT. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 2, 201030,000 milesCA

MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2005 TOYOTA AVALON INTO THE PARKING LOT AT THE TARZANA, CA POST OFFICE. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT FACING THE POST OFFICE, TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STARTED APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD, CROSSING A WALKWAY AND RAN INTO A CONCRETE BLOCK PLANTER IN FRONT OF THE POST OFFICE. THE CAR SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL BODY AND RADIATOR DAMAGE AND IS NOW BEING REPAIRED AT A COST OF OVER $8000. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY WIFE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS KEPT GARAGED AND IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE HAD CONDENSATION IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SYSTEM. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CLEAR AND SUNNY WITH THE TEMPERATURE IN THE 70'S. THE CAR IS STILL UNDERGOING REPAIR AND WE ANTICIPATE RECEIVING IT SOMETIME THIS WEEK (2/2/10). WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SENT AN INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT THE CAR ON 1/27/10. WE HAVE HAD NO REPORT BACK FROM TOYOTA AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FLOOR MAT WAS CHECKED THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND IT WAS FIRMLY IN PLACE WITH THE FLOORBOARD CLIPS HOLDING THE MAT TO THE FLOOR. I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND IT HAD NOT MOVED OR INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MY WIFE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MOVING FORWARD AT MORE THAN 5 MILES/HOUR AS SHE WAS JUST MOVING INTO THE PARKING SPOT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. OBVIOUSLY, THE CAR MUST H

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 1, 2010122,500 milesNC

MY COMPLAINT IS THE QUICK SO CALLED FIX OF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL THAT TOYOTA SAYS IS THE PROBLEM. THE ACCELERATION PEDAL IS NOT THE PROBLEM. FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 TOYOTA AVALON OCCURRED AFTER STARTING THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE ACCELERATION PEDAL SO THEREFORE IT ISN'T JUST THE PEDAL EVEN IF THE PEDAL IS FAULTY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 26, 201044,145 milesVA

65 MPH INTERSTATE 64 E EXITING TO FORT EUSTIS BLVD VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL WITH BRAKES (STANDING ON THE BRAKES) AND STEERING, THE PASSENGER MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. OCCURRENCE: ONCE REPORTED TO DEALER: ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. NOTHING ELSE WAS SUGGESTED BUT TO WAIT UNTIL TOYOTA ISSUES A NOTICE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 22, 2010124,000 milesNC

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS, I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH EXTREME ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR ALTHOUGH I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING TO ME AND CAUSED MY BOLD PRESSURE TO RISE SEVERELY...THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS REPORTED DIRECTLY TO THE SAFETY DEPARTMENT OF TOYOTA..ON DECEMBER 28TH ,2009. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM... *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jan 20, 201078,000 milesTX

SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE MAT DID NOT INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR. WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE TOYOTA HAS MAINTAINED THAT THE MAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT ABOUT WHAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT BEING CANDID WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WHEN INFORMING THEM OF THE ISSUE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 8, 200940,534 milesHI

MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON WITH THE 2GR-FE V6 ENGINE REVS HIGH, EVEN WHEN IT'S WARMED UP. IN TRAFFIC, MANY TIMES IT REVS HIGH AND LUNGES FORWARD. SEVERAL TIMES I BRAKED HARD TO AVOID READ ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2005 AS I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO TOYOTA SERVICE AND THE MECHANICS FOUND NOTHING. ONCE I SHOWED THEM A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA WHICH STATED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. IT WORKED FOR A YEAR (2007) THEN BACK TO THE SAME PROBLEM, HIGH REVVING OF THE ENGINE, HARD SHIFTING AND LUNGING FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS TODAY, 12/7/09 WHERE I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN SINCE THE CAR REVVED HIGH AND LUNGED INTO THE CROSSWALK. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES HARD TO PREVENT HITTING THE PEDESTRIAN. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Dec 4, 200928,318 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE GOING UP A RAMP THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO WALL. THE CONTACT THOUGHT AT THE TIME HER FOOT SLIPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT HURT AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ONE YEAR AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SURGED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BREAK AND STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ALWAYS CRASHING INTO THE GARAGE. CONTACT FEELS THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 1/11/09 *CN UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB

Steering
Filed Nov 17, 200981,000 milesIA

2005 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED, TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL. THE LEVER TO LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL IN POSITION WORKS ITSELF LOOSE. THEN WHEN YOU ARE BRAKING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TELESCOPE IN. IT'S A VERY UNNERVING FEELING. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TWICE FOR THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA SAID THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR WITH REPLACING THE WHOLE STEERING ASSEMBLY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 10, 200956,400 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. HE HAD TO MANUALLY LIFT THE PEDAL FROM THE FLOOR TO DECELERATE. HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE COULD BRING THE VEHICLE IN AS A TRADE-IN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,400.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Nov 6, 200900

A COACH BUS TRAVELING AT 60 KM + (40 + MILES PER HR) RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT MY AVALON 2005 XLS TURNING LEFT. MY SPEED WAS BETWEEN 20KM - 25 KM (12- 15 MILES) AN HOUR. NOT ONE OF MY 12 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE BUS WAS GOING TO HIT I TOOK MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL AND REMOVED MY FEET FROM BOTH BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL WITH THE INTENT TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. I WAS LUCKY - I SUFFERED A SHATTERED WRIST AND SOME BRUISING. THE FRONT CAR WAS CRUSHED AND TOTALED ALTHOUGH THE IMPACT CAME FROM THE NOSE RIGHT ACROSS. PARAMEDICS AND AUTO COLLISION SHOP BOTH EXPRESSED SHOCK AT THE NON DEPLOYMENT OF THESE BAGS. THE COLLISION CENTER SAYS THEY LOOK DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES IN 2006 FOR AIRBAG PROBLEMS. TOYOTA HAS NOT YET CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT INFORMED US IF THIS IS ONE OF THE RECALLED CARS. THIS CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IN THE USA. A COACH BUS HAS A LOT OF MASS. WHY NO AIRBAGS? *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 27, 200911,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 11/09/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. UPDATED 11/09/09

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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