Page 2 of 2 · complaints 51–96 of 96

2014 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 2014 record →

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed May 15, 2016NC

TOYOTA'S 11/03/2015 SAFETY RECALL NOTICE INSTRUCTED ALL OWNERS TO TURN OFF THE PCS ( PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ). NOT HAVING THIS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE OPERABLE FOR THIS LENGTH OF TIME IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL. I PAID A-LOT OF $ TO HAVE THIS SYSTEM AND AS A SENIOR CITIZEN I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING WITH IT TURNED OFF. WHY HASN'T TOYOTA FOUND A FIX FOR THIS MONTHS AGO?? PLEASE HELP ME AND ALL TOYOTA AVALON 2014 AND 2015 OWNERS GET TOYOTA TO FIX THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE TOYOTA TOLD US TO TURN THE PCS OFF. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed May 6, 2016LA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed May 5, 201620,930 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PCS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WHERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,930. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed May 4, 2016120,127 milesMD

ON 23 FEB 2016 THE STEERING LOCKED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND AGAIN ON 12 APRIL 2016. ON 4 MAY 2016 THE STEERING LOCKED WHILE TRYING TO TURN RIGHT......UPDATED 05-12/16 *BF *CN

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed May 4, 20166,000 milesAL

TOYOTA ISSUED RECALL 15V728, REGARDING THE PCS SYSTEM ON OUR AVALON. THAT WAS LAST NOVEMBER, 2015. TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE A FIX, AND WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THIS VERY EXPENSIVE IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE FOR OVER HALF A YEAR. TOYOTA'S NOTICE STATED THAT IF "TOYOTA HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, YOU MAY SUBMIT A COMPLAINT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR , NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. " I AM HEREIN REGISTERING THAT COMPLAINT, AND REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA REQUIRE TOYOTA TO REFUND TO OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES THE VALUE OF THE FEATURE WE HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF FOR OVER HALF A YEAR. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT TOYOTA IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY DEFECT IN THE INDEFINITE FUTURE, SO TOYOTA'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE THIS FEATURE WE PAID DEARLY FOR IS BORDERING ON FRAUD. OR AT LEAST LIGHT A FIRE UNDER TOYOTA AND GET THEM TO FOCUS ON FIXING THIS FEATURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed Apr 19, 2016NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL DOES NOT MATCH WITH THE RECALL.

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed Apr 11, 2016ME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 11, 2016ND

THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V72800 REGARDING THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. THE RECALL IS DATED 11/3/2015. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA ON 12/8/15 AND DISABLED THE PCS FEATURE AS INSTRUCTED ON THAT DAY. NUMEROUS CONTACTS TO TOYOTA SINCE THEN AND STILL NO ACTION ON A FINAL FIX.THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THAT I PAID FOR - AND I FEEL IT IS TIME FOR RESOLUTION. YOUR HELP PLEASE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 18, 2016TX

TOYOTA AVALON PRE COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) WAS DEACTIVATED DUE TO SAFETY RECALL ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015. NEARLY FOUR AND HALF MONTHS HAVE GONE BY AND TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE 2016 MODELS WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL HAVE NOT BEEN AFFECTED WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE A REMEDY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. HOW MUCH LONGER MUST CONSUMERS WAIT BEFORE THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 18, 2016TX

TOYOTA AVALON PRE COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) WAS DEACTIVATED DUE TO SAFETY RECALL ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015. NEARLY FOUR AND HALF MONTHS HAVE GONE BY AND TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE 2016 MODELS WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL HAVE NOT BEEN AFFECTED WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE A REMEDY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. HOW MUCH LONGER MUST CONSUMERS WAIT BEFORE THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED.

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed Mar 15, 2016PR

2014 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE DEALER DEACTIVATED THE FEATURE, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE ISSUE. RECALL # 15V728000. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 12, 201624,500 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING A 40 MILE DISTANCE ON A TWO LANE ROAD THE CONSOLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE POINT THAT THE WATER IN MY CONTAINER BECAME VERY WARM. THE ENTIRE AREA WAS HOT TO TOUCH. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS NOT HAPPENING AT THE TIME, THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE TO THIS EXTENT. A SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY WARM.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 8, 201614,600 milesSD

AVALON WAS IMPACTED ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A 2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VAN. THE CHRYSLER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. TOYOTA AVALON AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS ON CLAVICLE AND CHEST. THE AVALON WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 3, 2016MD

THE 2014 TOYOTA AVALON HAS A BACK UP CAMERA WITH A COMPLEX SET OF GEOMETRIC COLORED BOXES IN THE IMAGE ON THE SCREEN THAT APPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE GEAR. THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT HAVE AN ENTRY FOR THE BACK UP CAMERA. SO, WHAT DO THESE VARIOUS COLORED IN THE BACK UP CAMERA SCREEN MEAN? IS INFORMATION FOR THIS SAFETY DEVICE REQUIRED TO IN A REFERENCE BOOK PROVIDED TO THE OWNER BY THE MANUFACTURER?

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed Feb 2, 2016MN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ *JS

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed Jan 5, 2016NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed Jan 4, 2016NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/15/16*LJ *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 29, 2015GA

I RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF A PROBLEM WITH THE PCS SYSTEM(RECALL 15V728) AND TOLD TO IMMEDIATELY TURN IT OFF, TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE DEALER WOULD DISABLE THE SYSTEM UNTIL A FIX WAS PROVIDED. THE DEALERSHIP RESPONDED THAT THEY WERE DOING NOTHING UNTIL A FIX WAS AVAILABLE. WHAT SHOULD I DO OR WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 2, 201513,000 milesTX

THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE AVALON WHILE DRIVING UP AN AIRPORT RAMP. MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE CAR INITIATED A HARD BRAKING WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT TIGHTENING. THE CAR DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY WHICH WAS FORTUNATE AS THERE WAS A CAR BEHIND ME. IT HAPPENED ON 10/1/15. IN REVIEWING POTENTIAL RECALLS TODAY BASED ON MY VIN, I NOTED A RECALL FOR THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. I AM SCHEDULED 12/3/15 TO HAVE THE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AS AN INTERIM REMEDY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Nov 27, 20159,430 milesTN

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED/SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY ON NOV. 25-2015. LOUD NOISE (LIKE GUNSHOT OR EXPLOSION), FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY SOUND OF WIND ENTERING CAR AND SHATTERED GLASS ROLLING IN SPACE ABOVE INTERIOR SUNROOF CLOSURE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, STOPPED VEHICLE, FOUND LARGE HOLE IN MIDDLE OF SUNROOF WITH JAGGED EDGES AND NUMEROUS SHARDS OF GLASS BETWEEN REMAINS OF EXTERIOR SUNROOF AND INTERIOR COVER. FORTUNATELY, INTERIOR COVER WAS CLOSED OR WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SPRAYED WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS. TEMP OUTSIDE IN 60S, DRY. NO TRUCKS, OVERPASSES, OR ROAD DEBRIS WHEN IT OCCURRED -- TOTALLY SPONTANEOUS. VEHICLE PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2014, TOYOTA COOL SPRINGS, FRANKLIN, TN. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE AT OCCURRENCE 9,430.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 28, 2015MD

S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT ISSUE AN ACCELERATION REMEDY REGARDING THE REPAIR OF VEHICLES USING TAKATA AIRBAGS. *SMD 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. *JB

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 29, 20151,400 milesKY

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED 50-70 MILES PER HOUR ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED TO IDLE SPEED. CAR WOULD NOT TAKE GAS EVEN AFTER PULLING TO SIDE OF ROAD. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND HAD NO MORE PROBLEM.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 30, 201513,250 milesMD

WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE LANE IN FRONT OF US FOR AT LEAST 100-150 FEET, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM RANDOMLY ENGAGED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE VERY HARD, WHICH CAUSED US TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY (LOSING 20-30 MPH IN A SHORT DISTANCE). THE WARNING BEEPS THAT ARE NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH RAPIDLY APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE/BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ALSO WERE SOUNDING, AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE SEATBELTS ON BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS LOCKED AND DREW US FORCEFULLY DOWN AND BACKWARDS INTO THE SEATS. THIS LAST APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS, AT WHICH TIME THE BEEPING STOPPED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKING STOPPED AND THE SEATBELTS LOOSENED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN STEERING INPUT THROUGHOUT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED DRIVING NORMALLY AFTERWARD. AT NO TIME DURING THIS EVENT WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE, ANIMAL OR BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO NEAR-COLLISIONS THAT WOULD OR SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 27, 20154,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT RETURNED TO FIND THE ENGINE RUNNING INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOORS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 23, 20152,300 milesTX

FUEL DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN NORMALLY (PRESSING CENTER REAR EDGE) NOR WHEN USING THE EMERGENCY RELEASE PULL CORD LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE TRUNK WHILE PRESSING REAR CENTER EDGE. ALSO, FUEL DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED WHILE PULLING EMERGENCY RELEASE CORD AND PULLING ON REAR CENTER DOOR SIMULTANEOUSLY. CAR WAS PLACED IN SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 2015 AND HAS 2300 MILES. TOOK CAR TO AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER AND SERVICE WRITER COULD NOT OPEN FUEL DOOR WITH EMERGENCY RELEASE EITHER. CAR COULD NOT BE REFUELED WITHOUT DAMAGING DOOR OR LOCK MECHANISM.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 9, 20156,572 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND WAS ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THERE WAS NO POTENTIAL CRASH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED, AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY A REMEDY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FEATURE WAS SET TO THE MANUFACTURER'S STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,572.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 7, 20154,300 milesVA

POST COLLISION SYSTEM (WITH AUTO-BRAKE) ACTIVATED (INCLUDING SEAT BELT TIGHTENING) WITH A CLEAR ROAD AHEAD. THIS COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR DISASTER IF IT HAPPENED AHEAD OF A TRACTOR TRAILER AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS.... UPDATED 06-18-15 *BF

Forward Collision Avoidance › Dynamic Brake Support/Brake Assist
Filed Jun 3, 20154,500 milesVA

CAR WENT INTO PANIC STOP (INCL TIGHTENING SAFETY BELTS) AT 50 MPH WITH NOTHING IN FRONT OF IT..SEE- EQ- 10724000...-....UPDATED 07/23/15 *BF THE POST COLLISION SYSTEM (WITH AUTO-BRAKE) ACTIVATED (INCLUDING THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENING) WITH A CLEAR ROAD AHEAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR DISASTER IF IT HAD HAPPENED AHEAD OF A TRACTOR TRAILER AT INTERSTATE SPEED.

Seats
Filed Mar 3, 20157,000 milesVA

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR SHOWING DISCOLORATION AND RIDGE / LUMP ON LEFT SIDE OF SEAT. SEATS ARE HEATED / AIR CONDITIONED AND ARE IVORY COLORED HOWEVER THE WEAR AND LUMP IN SEAT ARE SHOWING A DARKER COLOR ALMOST DARK GRAY. DON'T KNOW IF THE LUMP / RIDGE IN SEAT IS PART OF THE HEATING ELEMENT OR JUST IRREGULAR WEAR. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 13, 20156,000 milesAL

THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ABRUPTLY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON ACTIVATED ON A FREEWAY IN CHARLESTON, SC. NO CAR OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION WAS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A DISORIENTING LOUD ALARM BEGAN, THE SEAT BELTS FORCED US INTO OUR SEATS AND IMMOBILIZED US, AND THE VEHICLE DID A PANIC BRAKING MANEUVER-IT COULD NOT HAVE BRAKED MORE FORCEFULLY. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN BEHIND US WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NO ANOMALY. THEY GAVE US A LIST OF 13 DIFFERENT HIGHWAY SITUATIONS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. NONE OF THEM ARE UNCOMMON. THIS SYSTEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. I HAVE DISABLED MINE. YOUR AGENCY SHOULD REQUIRE THAT THEY BE DISABLED AND NOT INSTALLED IN OTHER VEHICLES UNTIL THIS FATAL FLAW IS OVERCOME. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 21, 20155,000 milesGA

RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA. THE WORLD TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS NO IDEA WHEN PARTS MAY COME IN. THE RECALL SOUNDS SERIOUS, COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FIRE. IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET IT. WHEN RECALLS ARE INITIATED ARE THEY NOT UNDER SOME KIND OF ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IN A TIMELY FASHION? *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 20, 20152,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 13, 201550 milesFL

THE COVER TO THE GAS TANK LOCKS WHEN THE CAR IS LOCKED, AND CAN BE OPENED WHEN THE CAR IS UNLOCKED. IF, FOR SOME REASON, THIS MECHANISM IS INOPERATIVE, AND ONE CANNOT OPEN THE GAS TANK COVER, ONE IS INSTRUCTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK, REMOVE THE TRUNK LINING, REACH IN BLINDLY PAST ALL THE WIRES AND CONNECTERS, AND FIND A LITTLE WHITE PLASTIC LEVER. THE LEVER EMERGES FROM BEHIND THE TRUNK THROUGH A HOLE IN THE TRUNK THAT IS COMPOSED OF SHARP METAL. THE LEVER IS ATTACHED BY A FLIMSY LITTLE PLASTIC WIRE. ONE MUST PULL THE LEVER PERFECTLY HORIZONTALLY. IF ONE EXERTS THE SLIGHTEST UPWARDS PRESSURE WHEN PULLING ON THE LEVER, THE FLIMSY LITTLE PLASTIC WIRE IS SHEARED BY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE HOLE THROUGH WHICH THE WIRE EMERGES. EVEN IF ONE MANAGES THE ABOVE FEAT, THE GAS TANK COVER IS NOT GUARANTEED TO OPEN. SO ONE IS STUCK AT THE GAS STATION WITH NO WAY TO ADD GASOLINE TO THE TANK. AND IF THE WIRE IS SHEARED OFF, ONE IS REALLY IN DEEP TROUBLE. FIRST OF ALL, THE WIRE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO I AM REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THEY SAY IT WAS MY FAULT; I PULLED TOO HARD. THE TRUTH IS IT IS THE FAULT OF THE ENGINEERS FOR DESIGNING SUCH A POOR SYSTEM. THE WIRE IS FLIMSY PLASTIC; THE EDGES OF THE HOLE ARE SHARP METAL; HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO PULL THE LEVER WITHOUT SHEARING THE WIRE. THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED. SECONDLY, PULLING THE WIRE DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. WHAT IS THE BACKUP PLAN? THIRDLY, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE FELT LINING OF THE TRUNK, REACH IN BLINDLY, AND FI

Wheels
Filed Jan 7, 201515,479 milesFL

AS I WAS ENTERING THE RAMP TO GET INTO I-95, I HEARD A LOUD BAND AND HEARD DEBRIS HITTING THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. CAR INSTANTLY STARTED STEERING ROUGH. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND NOTICED MY TIRE LOW PRESSURE LIGHT ON. UPON INSPECTION , NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE CAR AT THE WHEEL I SAW A 5 INCH DIAMETER SECTION OF THE METAL ALLOY WHEEL MISSING. CALLED TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR HELP AND THEY DISPATCHED MAINTENANCE TO INSTALL SPARE TIRE. TOOK PICTURES OF DAMAGED WHEEL AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. HAVE NEVER NOTICED A WHEEL EXPLODING DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON DEBRIS FREE ROAD. DID A WALKTHROUGH AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY SHARP OBJECTS OR OTHER MATERIAL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS MISHAP. *TR

Structure
Filed Nov 10, 20146,000 milesCA

I BOUGHT A NEW TOYOTA AVALON. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH I NOTICED THE HEADLINER FALLING OFF BY THE SUN ROOF. TOYOTA REPLACED THE HEADLINER. THE NEW HEADLINER DID THE SAME THING AFTER A FEW WEEKS. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO TOYOTA AND THE PUT DOUBLE SIDED TAPE ON TOP OF THE DOUBLE SIDED TAPE WHICH IS PUT ON TO HOLD THE HEADLINER UP. THE HEADLINE CAME DOWN AGAIN. TOYOTA WANT TO REPLACE THE HEADLINER AGAIN. I ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY CHANGES IN THE HEADLINER AND THEY SAID NO. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING WITH THE 2013-2014 AVALONS. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 1, 20141,286 milesFL

I WAS STOPPING IN A TENNIS COURT PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE. THE DAMAGE CAME TO ABOUT $7,000. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS 4/2/2014. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS GOING APPROX. 5 MILES AN HOUR BUT I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AND STOPPED THE CAR WITHOUT DOING ANY DAMAGE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I FELL THAT THIS CAR HAS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 27, 201410,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER CONSOLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER TESTED THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHICH READ MORE THEN 140 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 16, 2014362 milesFL

I HAVE HAD A DRIVING LICENSE FOR 68 YEARS WITH 3 MINOR COLLISIONS WITH NO FATALITIES OR HOSPITALIZATION. WHEN I WAS TAUGHT TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, I WAS INTRODUCED TO LEFT FOOT BRAKING AND TOLD IT WOULD RESULT IN FASTER BRAKING AS WELL AS INSURING THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE INTO OR THROUGH A STORE OR BUILDING WHEN MY RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE AVALON ON AUGUST 6, 2014. THIS FIRST FRIGHTENING INCIDENT OCCURRED AUGUST 11, 2014. I WAS ATTEMPTING A U TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT AN ISLAND ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, EASING OFF ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT NOT REMOVING MY FOOT FROM IT COMPLETELY, WHILE MODERATING MY SPEED WITH SLIGHT APPLICATIONS OF THE BRAKES WITH MY LEFT FOOT. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLIED A BIT MORE GAS, AND NOTHING HAPPENED, AND I THOUGHT THAT MY ENGINE HAD STALLED. MY TACHOMETER SHOWED THE ENGINE WAS REVVED TO 1200 RPM, BUT THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN. AFTER A DELAY I ESTIMATE WAS 3 OR 4 SECONDS, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY ENGAGED, AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD A FEW MORE SIMILAR INCIDENTS ENTERING OR LEAVING PARKING LOTS IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. I WAS TOLD BY A TOYOTA SERVICE REP. AT THE DEALER THAT THE TOYOTAS ARE DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE LEFT FOOT BRAKING. AFTER GOING THROUGH MY SEVERAL TOYOTA MANUALS I DISCOVERED ON PAGE 27 OF THE 2014 TOYOTA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE A PARAGRAPH ENTITLED "SMART STOP TECHNOLOGY", WHICH EXPLAINS A FEATURE INCORPORATED TO KEEP A CAR FROM ROLLING B

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 4, 201411,144 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,144. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Filed Jul 10, 20143,900 milesMD

DRIVING DOWN ROAD.. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME NO OBJECTS IN ROAD. CLEAR SUNNY DAY WHEN THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ALARM SOUNDED AND THE PCS INDICATOR LIGHT LITE. THE ABS ENGAGED. AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN HALT. LUCKILY NOONE WAS BEHIND ME, BECAUSE IF THERE WAS, A REAR END COLLISION COULD HAVE OCCURED. THIS ISSUE DID OCCUR TO A LESSOR EXTENT ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS (ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO) BUT THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE HALT AS IT DID ON 7/6. IN BOTH OF THOSE INSTANCES, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD. THE ROAD(S) WERE STRAIT. NO CURVES. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, WHICH COULD HURT MYSELF, OTHERS OR CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 7, 2014270 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON A CITY STREET MIDDAY, IN SUNNY CLEAR CONDITIONS, SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED THE SUNS GLARE FROM AT LEAST 3 SPOTS ON SHINY CHROME COVERED DASHBOARD ALL AT SAME TIME, FROM DIFFERENT SPOTS, BLINDING AND DISTRACTING ME AND ALMOST MAKING ME RUN A RED LIGHT SINCE I COULD BARELY SEE. IT WAS LIKE 3 SUNS IN MY FACE. CHROME IS MIRROR LIKE, QUITE THICK, AND AT AN ANGLE THAT CAUSES SUN TO REFLECT STRAIGHT INTO YOUR EYES WHEN IT'S MIDDAY AND THE SUN SHINES DOWN THROUGH WINDSHIELD FROM OVERHEAD. I HAD TO BREAK HARD WHEN I NOTICED LIGHT WAS RED AT THE LAST MINUTE. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN THE RED LIGHT. *TR UPDATED 2/20/15 *JS

Structure
Filed Jun 21, 2014FL

WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTS FROM CHROME LINING OF THE DASH AND AROUND AND UNDER SPEEDOMETER. THIS CAUSES GLARE AS IF I WERE WATCHING A WELDER AT WORK WITH NO SHEILD. THIS WILL BLIND YOU, THIS WILL BLIND YOU, THIS WILL BLIND YOU. NOT ONLY WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING BUT PERMANENTLY,PERMANENTLY, AND EVEN MORE QUICKLY FOR DRIVERS THAT REQUIRE GLASSES THAT MAGNIFY, THAT MAGNIFY THE WELDING SPOTS. THE WELDING SPOTS DO NOT OCCUR IN ONLY ONE SPOT BUT SEVERAL AS THE CAR AND SUN MOVE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jun 14, 201424 milesCA

VEHICLE DASHBOARD CHROME ACCENTS REFLECT THE SUN AT MID-DAY LIKE A MIRROR, BLINDING THE DRIVER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TODAY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE FOR NEARLY 2 HOURS EACH DAY. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR REPORTS ONLINE, INCLUDING THIS ONE FROM A PROFESSIONAL REVIEWER: " ALTHOUGH THE CHROME USED IS ?SMOKED? TO LESSEN BRIGHTNESS, MATTE ALUMINUM WOULD HAVE IMPROVED THE OVERALL AMBIANCE IMMENSELY. AT ONE POINT, I WAS ACTUALLY BLINDED BY DAZZLING REFLECTIONS OFF THE BEZEL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER." - HTTP://REVIEWS.CARREVIEW.COM/2013-TOYOTA-AVALON-LIMITED-REVIEW *JS

Structure
Filed Jun 13, 2014120 milesCA

FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW 2014 TOYOTA AVALON, NOTICED A HIGHLY INTENSE MIRROR LIKE REFLECTION OF THE SUN COMING OFF THE VERY THICK SHINY POLISHED CHROME IN THE DASHBOARD THAT SURROUNDS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE AC VENTS IN THE CENTER. 3 SPOTS IN THE DASH WHERE I GET SEVERE GLARE. IT HAPPENS USUALLY MIDDAY WHEN IT'S SUNNY OUTSIDE AND SUN IS OVERHEAD. THE BLINDING LIGHT IS SO BAD I MUST PUT MY HAND IN A POSITION TO OBSTRUCT THE VIEW FROM MY EYES. I AM SCARED THIS MAY DISTRACT ME FROM DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR EVEN CAUSE INJURY TO MY VISION AND PERMANENTLY BLIND ME. PLEASE HELP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT IT 6/10/14. THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT. I SEE COMPLAINTS FROM 2013. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS? HOW CAN THEY BUILD A CAR LIKE THIS AND CONTINUE SELLING IT THIS WAY? I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH THE THICK POLISHED CHROME IN THE DASH. *JS

Electrical System
Filed May 19, 2014200 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION CENTER BECAME BLANK WHENEVER THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARD AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300.

Seats
Filed Jan 31, 2014LA

I HAVE A NEW 2014 AVALON WITH HEATED LEATHER SEATS. I DEMAND THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED BY THE TOYOTA COMPANY. I HAVE LESS THAN 700 MILES ON MY CAR, AND TOYOTA DOESN'T WANT THIS TO BE A MANDATORY RECALL? *TR

Reading these

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.

Full record for the 2014 Toyota Avalon → · Every Avalon year → · How the figures are calculated →