RoadVitals

1996 Toyota Avalon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
109
Latest Jul 9, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
10 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 109 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Toyota Avalon, most frequently naming the engine, visibility and brakes categories. 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 51 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP02004ClosedDefect Petition

ENGINE SEIZURE

Opened Apr 30, 2002
Closed Jun 20, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EA97015ClosedEngineering Analysis

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

Opened Jul 22, 1997
Closed Sep 21, 1998

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PE97018ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

Opened Apr 29, 1997
Closed Jul 22, 1997

CONSUMERS ALLEGE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONS FAIL WHILE DRIVING.TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE REPLACED TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES, BUT IN ONE INSTANCE THE NEW SWITCH STILL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.DEALER MECHANICS INSTRUCTED THE OWNER TO TURN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ON/OFF TO RESET THE SWITCH.THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH IS CONNECTED IN-LINE WITH THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, THUS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH CAN RESULT A LOSS OF POWER TO THE TURN SIGNAL, WITH A RESULTANT FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TO FUNCTION.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 9, 2014

WHILE DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT, I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER USING TWO FEET TO SLOW VEHICLE, AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, IT WAS STILL REVVING. AFTER A HALF HOUR, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND BRING IT HOME. VERY SCARY! IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, AND WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SAFETY. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC, AND SINCE IT WAS NOT DOING IT WHILE THEY HAD IT, THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND FIX IT. WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM TO THIS VEHICLE YEAR, AND MOST WERE ON CAMRY'S. WE DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT FLOOR MATS, AND THE PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK. WE CALLED TOYOTA TO CHECK ON RECALL INFORMATION. SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON OUR VIN#, AND TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, DUE TO THE MILEAGE, BUT THEY DOCUMENTED MY REPORT IN THEIR CORPORATE RECORDS, AND TO TAKE IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT EVALUATED AND REPAIRED, WHICH WOULD NO DOUBT BE AT OUR EXPENSE SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, AND ARE AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR NOW, MUCH LESS DRIVE IT ALL THE WAY TO A DEALER OUT OF TOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10609281
Incident
Oct 10, 2013
Mileage
220,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 27, 2013

AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER, A/C AMPLIFIER, AIR INLET SERVO MOTOR & SERVO LINK & HEATER CONTROLS STOP WORKING AND ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY BY ITSELF. TOYOTA WILL NOT OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA ONLY WANTS MORE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT TELLING YOU EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE INFERIOR PARTS OF THEIR A/C SYSTEM SINCE 1995. THEY MUST HAVE HIGH PROFILE LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON FOR THE NHTSA TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS FOR SO LONG. SOMEBODY MUST BE GETTING PAID SOME KIND OF WAY FOR THE NHTSA TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM AND LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. THE NHTSA SHOULD MAKE TOYOTA COME CLEAN ABOUT THEIR A/C PROBLEMS AND RECALL ALL AUTOMOBILES WITH A/C PROBLEMS. TOYOTA OWNERS SHOULD AT LEAST BE GIVEN A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE A/C SYSTEM TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG AND TELL US IN WRITING WHAT PARTS THAT ARE AFFECTED, AND (THIS IS A LONG SHOT) REPAIR THE A/C FOR FREE. THANK YOU, FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN DEALING WITH THIS ONGOING A/C PROBLEM. AND I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513711
Incident
May 27, 2013
Mileage
208,300 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Mar 3, 2013

AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE LONGER WE DROVE THE HIGHER THE ENGINE REVVED. I DECIDED TO RETURN TO MY HOME ABOUT 5 MINUTES AWAY THEN THE CAR BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN THE CORNER TO A SIDE STREET UNTIL THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I WAS ABLE TO ENTER MY STREET. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE TO PARK IT AND IT WOULD NOT STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR SO I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. IT REVVED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE FINALLY TURNING OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501127
Incident
Mar 3, 2013
Mileage
188,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 27, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO SEAT BELT LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10463258
Incident
Jun 26, 2012
Mileage
240,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 16, 2012
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,909.

NHTSA ID
10448166
Incident
Feb 9, 2012
Mileage
97,909 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 18, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED HIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 226,444. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10383276
Incident
Jan 28, 2011
Mileage
226,444 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 2, 2010

FILLER PIPE HAS CORRODED, SPILLS FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN FILLING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10363781
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
215,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 9, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PULLING UP TO A CURB, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION, THEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE GO INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED BACKWARDS 50 FEET AND PINNED A PEDESTRIAN UNDER THE VEHICLE DRAGGING HIM APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. THE PEDESTRIAN DIED FROM HIS INJURES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT A UTILITY POLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,047. UPDATED 02/19/10 *BF UPDATED 09/02/10*JB UPDATED 9/27/11*CW

NHTSA ID
10291453
Incident
Aug 21, 2009
Mileage
68,047 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB003220

AIR BAGS; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

TTT063620

BACK OVER PREVENTION; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

Toyota PRO19-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

T-TT-0636-20 Rev

BACK OVER PREVENTION; SERVICE BRAKES

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

T-SB-0032-20 Rev

EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.

T-TT-0636-20

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Avalon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022800
2021212047.5
2020103053.4
2019684055.9
2018242161.1
2017142162.7
2016233158.2
2015412159.1
2014964155.5
20131374158.8
2012304163.1
20111061043.2
2010467059.1
2009917055.6
20083496052.6
20072436057.9
20063597056.2
20052287056.1
20042053054.1
20032932055.2
20021161049.8
20011342055.9
20001732160.7
1999922157.2
19981782157.1
19971251148.3
1996Viewing1090346.1
1995800144.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.