2007 Toyota Avalon complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN AND AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE CRASHED INTO A DRAIN PIPE. SHE WAS SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY TO HER LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERS OR THE MANUFACTURER. SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 09V388000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,877. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,600.

WE HAVE A TOYOTA AVALON 2007 & HAVE NOTICED THAT AFTER WE REENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL THERE IS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION UP TO THE PRESET SPEED, THERE HAS ALSO BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES PAST THE PRESET SPEED & WE HAVE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL & THEN RESET IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A PILLAR ON JULY 4, 2007. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH OCCURRED THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ALL 5 OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS EVERYTHING IN THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND REPAIRED FOR $17,859.81. THE AIR BAGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS OF THE CRASH ARE AVAILABLE. SHE SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND FILED CASE#0910100910 WITH THE MANUFACTURER ON OCTOBER 2, 2009. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SHE MUST SUBMIT PROOF TO CONFIRM IF THE CRASH WAS RELATED TO THE FLOOR MATS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,723. RK

2007 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED. DEFECTIVE LASER CRUISE CONTROL. NOTE: VEHICLE HAS KEYLESS IGNITION. WHEN ACTIVATED THE UNIT WOULD REGISTER OBSTRUCTIONS THAT WERE NOT THERE OR WOULD NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE A VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT. WHEN THE UNIT RECOGNIZES THE OBJECT IT STARTS TO SLOW DOWN, APPLY THE BRAKES, AND WHEN THE OBSTRUCTION IS FAR ENOUGH AWAY IT RESUMES SPEED. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN IT RESUMES SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR IS ALMOST PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND ACCELERATION IS RAPID. THE BEST WAY TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IS FROM THE CONTROL STALK ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2007. AFTER TWO YEARS OF COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER THE UNIT WAS RECOGNIZED AS BEING DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IN JUNE 2009. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT HE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY DIRECTIVE FROM TOYOTA USA CONCERNING A PROBLEM WITH THE UNIT. WITH ALL THE PUBLICITY THAT TOYOTA IS RECEIVING CONCERNING ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS, I THOUGHT THAT IN SOME CASES THE CAUSE MAY BE RELATED TO COMPUTER PROBLEM IN ADDITION TO A 'JAMMED" OR STUCK ACCELERATOR. *TR

DEAR NHTSA, I BOUGHT THE TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED EDITION 2007. MY WIFE IS THE MAIN DRIVER FOR THIS VEHICLE. SHE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE GAS ACCELERATION ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 6 WEEKS. I JUST CALLED TOYOTA MANUFACTURE AND COMPLAINED TO THEM ABOUT MY CONCERN AND THEY GAVE ME THE DOCUMENTATION # . THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR CHECK UP. I TOLD THEM THAT WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF ON AND OFF SOMETIMES, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO IDENTIFIES THE ISSUE. I ASKED TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE TO MAIL ME A LETTER IN REGARDING THE ISSUE IF THEY IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. PLEASE SEND ME ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE GAS ACCELERATOR FOR TOYOTA CARS AND TRUCKS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE. *TR

FIND WHEN I AM ON CRUISE CONTROL IN MY 2007 TOYOTA AVALON AND I REDUCE SPEED ON RESUMING SPEED USING MY REMOTE ENGINE SURGES AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND BRAKES ARE SLOW IN RESPONDING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ;LATEST BEING ON DATE LISTED BELOW

BOLTS SECURING DRIVESHAFT SHEARED OFF, WITH BOLT PIECES SHOOTING INTO THE ENGINE AND INTO THE ENGINE COVER. IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL BY BENDING THE PISTON PARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS BRIDGESTONE TURANZA TIRES ON A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 70 MPH ALL FOUR TIRES BEGAN SHAKING, AS IF THEY WERE OUT OF ROUND. INSTABILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASED THE RISK FOR A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WAY THE TIRES WERE BALANCED BY SAMS CLUB. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 11:30 AM, I DROVE ABOUT 4 MILES, GOT ONTO A FREEWAY (NORTHBOUND I-5) IN SAN DIEGO, AT WHICH TIME MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY FEET, SAW THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS CORRECTLY IN PLACE. THE CAR BEHAVED AS THOUGH "CRUISE CONTROL" WERE ON, SO I TOGGLED CRUISE CONTROL ON, THEN OFF. I ALSO DEPRESSED THE BUTTON FOR TURNING THE CAR OFF (IT HAS A "SMART KEY" IGNITION), BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. ENGINE SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE. MY BRAKES COULD SLOW THE CAR A BIT (FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 65 MPH, BUT THE CAR QUICKLY ACCELERATED BACK UP TO 70 MPH AND HIGHER. I DOWN-SHIFTED (INTO ONE OF THE "MOUNTAIN-DRIVING" GEARS, THEN DOWN-SHIFTED AGAIN AS I CONTEMPLATED HOW TO NAVIGATE AROUND TRAFFIC AND OFF THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE TACHOMETER INDICATED THAT THE SPEED WAS INCREASING. I TRANSITIONED OFF THE I-5 AND ONTO THE EASTBOUND I-8 FREEWAY, AND SLOWED ENOUGH, WITH ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, TO THE NEAREST OFFRAMP. I COULD NOT BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT FINALLY SHIFTED INTO PARK BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. I NOW SHUT OFF THE CAR. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, IN PARK, AND THE ENGINE SPEED METER INDICATED 4500 RPM IN A FEW SECONDS. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND PHONED AAA TO TOW ME TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THIS UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CALLED. THEY SAID TO PICK UP THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT NORMALLY SERVICES THIS VEHICLE, AND THEY HAD TH

DEFECTIVE HOSE IN THE ENGINE/OIL SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING ALL OF THE OIL IN THE CARS ENGINE TO DRAIN IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY TOYOTA DEALER WHERE THEY EXPLAINED THAT SOME AVALONS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THIS BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED FOR FREE AS IT WAS COVERED. HOWEVER, MY DRIVEWAY IS LOADED WITH ALL OF THE OIL FROM MY ENGINE. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE ROAD I WOULD HAVE LOST THE ENGINE. *TR

CAR HAS DEVELOPED A SHUDDER WHEN SHIFTING, AT TIMES IT IS VERY SEVERE ON ONE EPISODE WHILE PASSING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE SO VIOLENTLY THAT CONTROL OF THE CARE WAS LOST UNTIL VIBRATION SUBSIDED. *TR THIS VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD THE SHUDDER FOR ABOUT 10,000 MILES, THERE HAVE BEEN TWO OF THE VIOLENT EPISODES, IN THE LAST 10,000 MILES, HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THE SHUDDER. THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER, HAS HAD NO EFFECT ON SHUDDER AND THE VIOLENT EPISODES TOOK PLACE AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER.

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. ASHES ARE BEING BLOWN INTO THE VEHICLE THRU THE VENT WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITION IS ON. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

I THINK BECAUSE I AM A WOMEN AND REPAIR COMPANIES DO THIS TYPE. I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. IT HAS NOT BEING 6 MONTHS YET. I PURCHASED IT FROM CARMAX. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK AT LIST 5 TIME ARE MORE FOR MINER REPAIRS . NOW I HAD NEW FRONT DISC BRAKES PUT ON THIS MONTH AND THEY ARE SCRUBBING AND THE FRONT TIRES ARE BLACK BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE VERY LOW END PRODUCT AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO SCRUB THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS ASAP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL DEVICE REGULATES THE TIRES TO MAINTAIN THE SAME EXACT SPEED. WHEN DRIVING ON A RELATIVELY SMALL INCLINE AT 5 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRACTION CONTROL DEVICE SLOWS DOWN THE SPEED OF ONE TIRE TO MATCH THE SPEED OF THE SLIDING TIRE. THIS ABRUPTLY DECREASES THE OVERALL SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY IS INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT SOME VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN OVERRIDE SYSTEM DUE TO THIS FAILURE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT BUILT WITH THE OVERRIDE MECHANISM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRED. ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,288. UPDATED 01/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/06/09.*JB

IN JUNE OF 2007 WE PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA AVALON. WITHIN 2 WEEKS WE NOTICED IT PULLING INTERMITTENTLY TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT ON THE OPEN ROAD AND WHEN BRAKING. AT TIMES IT WOULD JERK WILDLY TO THE RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT OR OPPOSITE WHEN BRAKING AND IT HAS A TENDENCY TO CLIMB UPHILL AGAINST THE SLANT OF THE OPEN ROAD. THE SITUATION IS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. WE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED NUMEROUS TIMES, ROTATED THE TIRES, CHECKED THE PRESSURES, ALL WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND HAD IT SERVICED 3 TIMES (WITH TOYOTA CORP. INSTRUCTION) WITH NO RESULTS. AT TOYOTA'S SUGGESTION, WE REPLACED 2 OF THE MICHELIN TIRES THAT CAME ON THE CAR (AT OUR EXPENSE) WITH 2 HIGH QUALITY MASTERCRAFT TIRES WHICH SHOWED SIGNIFICANT TREAD WEAR AFTER ONLY 700 MILES. IT HAS WORN OUT 2 ORIGINAL TIRES AT 15,000 MILES AND THE OTHER 2 NOW NEED REPLACED AT 19,000 MILES. THE CAR WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT. WE WERE TOLD BY TOYOTA REPS. THAT THE CAR IS REACTING TO "ROAD CROWN" CONDITIONS AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA INSTRUCTED US TO PURSUE THE PROBLEM WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT. THE DETERMINATION WAS "THE CUSTOMER FAILED TO PROVE THE CONDITIONS PRESENT ARE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP". WE HAVE SINCE TAKEN THE CAR TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER IN OUR AREA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND AGREES THAT THE SITUATION EXISTS AS WE'VE DESCRIBED. HE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE REPLY AS STATED

2007 TOYOTA AVALON CAR ACCIDENT, SNOW AND ICY ROAD CONDITIONS CAR SKIDDED OFF OF THE ROAD AT A T-INTERSECTION ENDING UP IMPACTING WITH A TREE WITH EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE. DRIVER WENT FORWARD HITTING HER FOREHEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT PASSENGER BEING JERKED AROUND AND INJURING HER NECK AND BACK. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THIS VEHICLE IS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE BODY SHOP ON 12-8-08 AND I HAVE NOTIFIED OUR TOYOTA DEALER IN SUPERIOR WI ON 12-6-08 TO HAVE AN INSPECTION BY A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE TO FIND A CAUSE FOR THIS DEPLOYMENT FAILURE. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON OCTOBER 28, 2008. THE AIRBAG ON THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED AS DID A KNEE AIRBAG. INJURIES TO HIS LOWER LEGS ARE EXTENSIVE AND I THINK THESE INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY THE EXPLOSIVE FORCE OF THE KNEE AIRBAG. HIS LEFT LEG SUSTAINED A LARGE LACERATION ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG BY 4 INCHES WIDE. AND A LARGE AREA OF TISSUE DAMAGE. THE LACERATION COULD NOT BE SUTURED AND HAS REMAINED OPEN FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS. A VERY LARGE AREA OF TISSUE HAS GANGRENE BECAUSE OF THE EXTENT OF THE INJURY. HIS RIGHT LOWER LEG WAS COMPLETELY ECCHYMOTIC AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NOW A LOCALIZED AREA OF TISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEBRIDED. (IT LOOKS LIKE A HUGE BLOOD BLISTER.) EXTENSIVE DEBRIDEMENT OF TISSUE WILL BE DONE ON BOTH LEGS NEXT WEEK. FOR THE FIRST DAY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, WE HAD NO IDEA HOW HIS LOWER LEGS COULD HAVE SUSTAINED SUCH INJURIES. SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, MY HUSBAND MENTIONED THAT SOMEHOW HE COULDN'T STEP ON THE BRAKE AFTER FEELING THE IMPACT OF THE CAR THAT HIT HIM. WHEN I WENT TO VIEW OUR DAMAGED CAR I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE THE AIR BAG THAT WAS LOCATED AT THE LEVEL OF THE DRIVER'S LEGS. BUT IT SEEMED TO EXPLAIN THE EXTENSIVE BILATERAL LOWER LEG INJURIES AS WELL AS MY HUSBAND'S INABILITY TO REACH THE BRAKE. THESE INJURIES HAVE BEEN VERY DEBILITATING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS SPOTS IN THE PAINT ON THE HOOD AND TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

INTERMITTENTLY, UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION EXHAUST EMITS A HYDROGEN SULFIDE TYPE (ROTTEN EGG) ODOR. TOOK TO DELIVERY DEALER AND TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE &. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER. BOTH DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BOTH STATED THAT TOYOTA HAD REPLACED/REPAIRED EXHAUST OR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. HOWEVER SUBSEQUENT TO 2003 MODELS TOYOTA WOULD NO LONGER OFFER REPAIR OR SOLUTION FOR MY 2007 MODEL. SERVICE TECH SUGGESTED USING HIGHER GRADE GASOLINE. I HAVE USED MID AND PREMIUM GRADE GAS WITH NO CHANGE IN RESULT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND DESTROYED. HIS VEHICLE THEN STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER FROM BEING PUSHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND INJURED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,000.

2007 TOYOTA AVALON PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE ROAD CONDITION CHANGES AND HE PUTS THE CRUISE CONTROL BACK ON IT WILL JUMP AND THE RPM'S WILL JUMP FROM 2100 TO 4800. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED WELL UNTIL THE ROAD CONDITIONS CHANGED. IF THE ROAD CONDITIONS CHANGED THE CONSUMER HAD TO TOUCH THE BRAKE AND TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF CRUISE CONTROL TEMPORALLY. WHEN THE ROAD CONDITIONS CHANGED AGAIN, AND THE SPEED WAS NO MORE THAN 6-7 MPH BELOW THE SPEED SET ON THE CRUISE CONTROL THE TACHOMETER READING WAS 2,100 THE CONSUMER RESTORED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO THE SETTING BEING USED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JOLTED AHEAD AS IF THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR. THE TACHOMETER SUDDENLY JUMPED FROM 2,100 TO 4,800 RPM TO RAISE THE VEHICLE SPEED 6 OR 7 MPH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS A NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

CAR HAD WATER LEAK THAT WAS IMPROPERLY CORRECTED IN AUG 2007. IN APR 2008 REALLY BAD LEAK SAME PLACE. SOAKED CARPET AND HAS LEFT VERY STRONG MILDEW-MOLDY ODOR IN ALL INTERIOR PARTS, MATS AND TRUNK AREA. DEALER REPLACED CARPET AND DETAILED MATS. CAR STILL SMELLS STRONGLY OF MOLD & MILDEW. DEALER SAYS CAR IS FINE. *TR

2007 TOYOTA AVALON WITH A GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE GEAR IS CHANGING IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GETTING STUCK AND THEN BUMPS REAL HARD WHEN IT SWITCHES TO THE RIGHT GEAR. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN SHE SLOWS DOWN, THE CHANGE IN THE GEAR IS ROUGH AND LOUD.

WASHER FLUID BOTTLE LEAKS, ALL FLUID LEAKED OUT DURING A 4 HOUR FAMILY TRIP TO KANSAS CITY. TRIED FILLING WITH BOTTLED WATER, THE WATER JUST RAN RIGHT THROUGH. BUGS ON THE WINDSHIELD MADE DRIVING TOUGH, HAD TO STOP AND CLEAN THE WINDOWS. *TR

ON 3/3/07 MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED. ON MAY 9 MY WIFE NOTED A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THEY FIXED THE CAR, AND SHE PICK THE CAR UP ON MAY 14. THE NEXT DAY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AS BEFORE, AND TOOK THE CAR RIGHT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR UNTIL MAY 26. DURING THAT TIME, WELDING WAS PERFORMED ON THE FRAME, WHICH MADE THE NOISE WORSE. THE DEALER ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO GIVE US A 2ND TOYOTA AVALON, WHICH WE PICKED UP ON MAY 26, 2007. IN NOVEMBER 2007, MY WIFE BEGAN TO NOTICE A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE 2ND VEHICLE. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SAME NOISE FROM THE 1ST VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON DECEMBER 13, AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME, THE NOISE BEGAN AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO INFORM THEM OF THE PROBLEM. WITH THE HOLIDAYS AND OTHER THINGS COMING UP AT WORK (SHE CANNOT KEEP TAKING TIME OFF TO RUN TO THE DEALER ALL THE TIME), SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK RIGHT AWAY (THERE WAS ONLY AROUND 6300 MILES ON THE CAR). BY THE TIME SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK ON MARCH 24, 2008, THE PROBLEM HAD GOTTEN WORSE. THERE WAS LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON THE CAR. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AND THEY DETERMINED THEY NEEDED TO TAKE OUT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND HAVE SOME WELDING WORK DONE AROUND THE FIREWALL. AS OF TODAY, APRIL 7, MY WIFE STILL DOES NOT HAVE HER CAR. WE BELI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS TO THE LOWEST GEAR. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE TIRES SKID. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING UP THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS THE VEHICLE'S NEW DRIVE BY WIRE SYSTEM AND ALL OF THE NEW TOYOTA'S PERFORM IN THIS MANNER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

ON AUG. 6TH WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN MY 2007 AVALON, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. MY CAR REACHED SPEEDS OF UP TO 80 MPH. I COULD ONLY REDUCE THE SPEED TO 60 MPH BY RIDING THE BRAKES. I FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR BY FINDING A SAFE PULL-OFF AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK. MY BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY RUINED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN GREENVILLE, SC. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FAULTY ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO A RUBBER ALL-WEATHER MAT. THE MAT HAD BEEN PLACED OVER THE STANDARD FLOOR MAT. I FEEL THAT AVALON OWNERS NATIONWIDE NEED TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I NOTED IN MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER LAST WEEK THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE LEXUS ES 350 WHICH HAS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE AVALON. *TR UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF UPDATED 05/06/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE AD IT TOOK OFF AND WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE BRAKES WOULD HOLD THE VEHICLE AT THAT SPEED. THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STOPPED. THE ENGINE NEEDLE HAD REDLINED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND THEN TAKE OFF RAPIDLY. UPDATED 12/12/07

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A REAR WINDOW CURTAIN FOR THE REAR GLASS. WHEN THE CURTAIN IS DOWN, THERE IS AN INCH AND A HALF BLACK STRIP THAT EXTENDS ACROSS THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRIP PRODUCES A GLARE THAT IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING OR LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO BE OF ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THEY WILL CONSIDER THIS ISSUE WHEN DESIGNING THE UPCOMING AVALONS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE SLOWING DOWN FROM 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION RACES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AFTER STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9.

I AM ON HIGHWAY WITH 65MPH SPEED. I TURNED THE LASER CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME IS SLOWING DOWN, THE LASER CRUISE CONTROL DETECTS THE SPEED AND SLOW DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. HOWEVER, THE DEFECT IS: THE BRAKING LIGHTS NEVER LIGHT UP WHILE THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN. IT ALMOST CAUSES ME AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR BEHIND ME CAN NOT RECOGNIZE MY CAR BEING BRAKED. IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES AT CRUISING WITH HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED TOYOTA WHO WAS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE WINDOW BECAME DETACHED. TOYOTA SUGGESTED THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A CHANGE IN PRESSURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 190.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF, THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK DUE TO THE KEYLESS ENTRY. SHE IS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THIS FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AFTER SHE EXITS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DANGEROUS AND WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE DESIGN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 3,993 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

FROM: ASK TOYOTA TO: [email protected] SENT: TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007 2:13 PM. SUBJECT: LOCK OUT FOR TRUNK AND GAS TANK RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION [INCIDENT: 070515-000131] BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF YOUR CONTACT MESSAGE AND OUR RESPONSE SUBJECT. LOCK OUT FOR TRUNK AND GAS TANK RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. E APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE OPERATION OF THE TRUNK OPENER SWITCH AND FUEL FILLER DOOR OPENER SWITCH. AK PLEASE NOTE: TOYOTA DOES NOT CURRENTLY MARKET A LOCK OUT FEATURE FOR THE TRUNK OPENER SWITCH AND FUEL FILLER DOOR OPENER SWITCH FOR THE 2007 AVALON. YOUR FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED. IT IS THROUGH COMMENTS SUCH AS YOURS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO REVIEW AND IMPROVE OUR PRODUCTS. YOUR EMAIL HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS UNDER FILE #200705150711. 05/15/2007 09:57 AM HAVE A NEW 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. S I AM NEW TO THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IS NEW TO ME, I AM STILL FUMBLING FOR THE CORRECT SWITCH, KNOB, ETC. THIS MORNING, TUESDAY, WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 10 MPH, I NEEDED TO RAISE THE REAR WINDOW SUNSHADE. I REACHED DOWN TO THE LEFT AND AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL AND ACTIVATED A SWITCH. INSTEAD OF THE REAR SUNSHADE SWITCH, I INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THEN THE GAS TANK DOOR RELEASE. BOTH THE TRUNK OPENED AND THE GAS TANK DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE OF COURSE). TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, NOT TO MENTION AN ANNOYANCE. ARE THESE SWITCHES FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THAT IS ARE THE

WE HAD A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR CONDUCTING A CLASS USING THE 2007 AVALON. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS DRIVING AND ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND THE ACCELERATORS STUCK AND THE CAR REACHED 8000+ RPMS THE INSTRUCTOR HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF, USING THE PUSH BUTTON START. IT FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER NUMEROUS TRIES ON THE PUSH BUTTON. ONCE THE MOTOR TURNED OFF THE ACCELERATOR THEN CAME UP SLOWLY BY ITS SELF. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WERE TOLD IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLOOR MATS. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THIS CAR AND THEY ALL SAW THE SAME THING. THE FLOOR MATS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE HAD THE DEALER GO OVER THE CAR AND AGAIN WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WE HOWEVER DO NOT BELIEVE THEIR FINDINGS. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE VEHICLE'S PUSH BUTTON STARTER WILL NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PUSH STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE DAY AFTER THE PUSH BUTTON STARTER WAS REPROGRAMMED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. DURING A SECOND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE STARTER WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 200. *AK UPDATE 04/19/07 *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF THE CAR READ- CAUTION PEOPLE WITH AN IMPLANTED CARDIAC PACEMAKER OR DEFIBRILLATOR SHOULD KEEP AWAY FROM THE SMART KEY SYSTEM BECAUSE THE RADIO WAVES MAY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF SUCH DEVICES. THE CONTACTS FATHER HAD ONE. HE CONTACTED TOYOTA, AND GOT TECHNICAL DETAILS ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE SYSTEM. HE SENT THE INFORMATION TO HIS CARDIOLOGIST, WHO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFIBRILLATOR, AND HE WAS ADVISED NOT TO LET HIS FATHER WITHIN 18 INCHES OF THE CAR. THE CONTACT QUESTIONED IF HE SHOULD KEEP HIS FATHER AWAY FROM THE CAR BUT WHAT WAS HIS LIABILITY IF SOMEONE WALKED OR PARKED NEXT TO THIS CAR, AND THE PERSON HAD AN IMPLANTED PACEMAKER, AND HE DIED, WHAT WOULD BE HIS LIABILITY ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK UPDATE 4/23/07*TR

NOV 23, 2006: IN REPOSITIONING MY 2007 AVALON XLS IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY SISTER'S HOUSE, I SLOWLY PULLED FORWARD TO RE-PARK AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND THE ACCELERATOR IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HIGH RPMS - I HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO KEEP FROM HITTING MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND HIS HOUSE. I WAS BRAKING - AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. ON DEC 23, 2006 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED TWO BLOCKS IN A ROW IN OUR CONGESTED DOWNTOWN AREA. THE 1ST TIME, I WAS STOPPING VERY SLOWLY; THE SECOND TIME I WAS BRAKING TO WAIT FOR A PARKING SPACE. THE 1ST TIME I TRIED CHANGING GEARS AND THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE SECOND TIME I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. MY WIFE WAS A WITNESS. I DROVE THIS CAR FOR THE MONTH AFTER IT'S PURCHASE NEW (SEP 6, 2006), EVERY 2ND/3RD DAY FOR THE MONTH OF OCT 2006, AND OFF/ON DURING NOV 2006 WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM. I TOLD THE LOCAL/DISTRICT TOYOTA PERSONNEL THAT I COULD NOT TRUST THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN PARKED EITHER AT THE DEALERSHIP OR IN MY GARAGE ALMOST EVERY DAY SINCE DEC 23, 2006. THE DISTRICT TOYOTA PERSONNEL SAID THAT THEY DID NOT CONSIDER MY CAR UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY 'COULD NOT FIND ANY ERROR CODES' IN THE CAR'S SYSTEM, AND ON THE 102 MILE TEST DRIVE THEY DID, WITHOUT ME PRESENT, THEY DID NOT EXPERIENCE MY PROBLEM. THEY DID SIMULATE IT BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME!!!! I WAS ON THE HIGHEST ALERT THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 23RD! MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR! I WAS BRAKING ALL THREE TIMES - OR ELSE MY

ON 1-9-07 HIT A POT HOLE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, HAD TO REPLACE TIRE. ON 1-10-07 PICK UP A PIECE OF METAL ON INTERSTATE 77 AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. TORE UP REAR LEFT TIRE CASING, MICHELIN TIRE. *NM

100% OF NIGHT TIME DRIVING ESPECIALLY ON COUNTRY ROADS THAT ARE HILLY WE LOSE EFFECTIVE HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE (WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY PROJECT ABOUT 40 TO 50 FEET). THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE TYPICAL OF THE AVALON LIMITED FROM OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT SINCE GOING 55 MPH WE ARE COVERING 80 PLUS FEET PER SECOND. *JB

I CAN'T GET ANY INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE SMART KEY. THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF MY 2007 TOYOTA AVALON WARNS THAT PERSONS WITH IMPLANTED PACEMAKERS OR DEFIBRILLATOR SHOULD NOT GO NEAR THE ANTENNAE ON THE SMART KEY SYSTEM. MY 91-YEAR-OLD DAD HAS AN IMPLANTED DEFIBRILLATOR. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET IN, START THE CAR, AND DISABLE THE SMART KEY SO HE CAN THEN APPROACH THE CAR AND GET IN? WHAT IS THE RADIO FREQUENCY AND EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER OF THE SYSTEM SO I CAN PASS THE INFORMATION ALONG TO HIS CARDIOLOGIST? WHAT IS THE LIABILITY IF I HAVE THE CAR PARKED ON A PUBLIC STREET AND SOMEONE WITH AN IMPLANTED DEFIBRILLATOR OR PACEMAKER SHOULD HAPPEN TO WALK PAST THE CAR WITHOUT KNOWING THE DANGER? PLEASE HELP, AS THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING OUT ABOUT THIS. ALSO, THE OWNER'S MANUAL WARNS ABOUT GETTING THE SMART KEY TOO CLOSE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICES SUCH AS CREDIT CARDS AND CELL PHONES, CORDLESS PHONE RECHARGERS, FLUORESCENT LIGHTS, ETC. HOW CAN MY WIFE CARRY THE SMART KEY IN HER PURSE WITH CREDIT CARDS AND CELL PHONE? ALSO, I STORE ALL MY KEYS ON HOOKS IN A CABINET ABOVE THE DESK IN OUR KITCHEN. I ALSO STORE MY CELL PHONE THERE. ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SHELF IS A FLUORESCENT LIGHT, AND ON THE DESK IS A CORDLESS PHONE RECHARGER. DO I HAVE TO REARRANGE MY LIFE TO AVOID PROBLEMS WITH THE SMART KEY? ALSO, THE OWNER'S MANUAL WARNS THE SMART KEY MIGHT NOT WORK NEAR BROADCAST OPERATIONS. SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, I HAVE TO GO TO A CABLE TELEVISION HEAD END WHERE

THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING FEATURE THAT IS LINKED TO THE SHIFT. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN "PARK, " ALL 4 DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK. THE ROUTINE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL TO "CANCEL" THIS FEATURE DOES NOT WORK. I TRIED IT OVER 20 TIMES, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS SHOP - IT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO STOP THE AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS A THREAT TO SAFETY IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, IN MANY KINDS OF LOCATIONS. THE MOTORIST CANNOT CHOOSE WHETHER TO UNLOCK HIS/HER DOORS, EVEN IF A THREAT IS PRESENT. THIS FEATURE MAKES THE MOTORIST VULNERABLE TO CAR JACKING, ROBBERY AND MANY OTHER KINDS OF CRIMES. *NM