2003 Toyota Avalon Problems

March 13, 2026, I was on a road trip from CA to AZ and while driving around 75-80mph (speed limit), something in the driver's side seat belt or the shoulder holster exploded, the belt tightened, and something metal or plastic flew off. Shortly after (within 30 seconds or so), the passenger's side seat belt did something similar where something in the seat belt mechanism exploded and another part went flying. There was an electrical buzzing noise. I was looking for a place to pull over when the air bags went off. There was no bump in the road or a dip and I did not hit anything. I don't remember the order the air bags exploded but it was one after the other. The driver's side air bag exploding left a red abrasion on my left hand. The vehicle was brought to a nearby dealership (Anderson Toyota) where they said they could not verify what the issue was. The safety of myself and others on the road were at risk as the explosions were very loud and the air bags occluded my view while traveling at a high speed. The vehicle has been inspected by a 3rd party representative from Bosch (Apr 2nd) as sent by Toyota corporate and Toyota has not given me any updates. Calling them several times they have failed to return calls, and after a call today, they said the case was filed as closed without my prior notice. I do not recall warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms.

I was driving back home, out of no where my car went out of control, went left, then right, hit something and flipped over twice to end in a hill against the traffic with 4 flat tires. The air bag did not deployed. I did hit the windshield. The car was total.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE PERMANENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENDALL TOYOTA (10943 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33156) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

CAR WAS IDLING IN PARK, PLACED SHIFT INTO REVERSE, CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD WITH MOTOR RACING INTO A BENCH, DESTROYING IT. JAMMED SHIFT BACK INTO PARK SHUT OFF MOTOR. RESTARTED CAR. PLACE SHIFT IN REV AND BACKED OFF BENCH. CAR WORKED PROPERLY. HAD CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.

Purchased car used 11/2020 Jan 14 2021 had 2 open recalls steering casting defect and wire harness filter to deflect noise from ecm . I lost control of communication of operations. 12/2022 steering lock bar The past 2 years uncovered everything on my own. Learned somebody died in 2003 Avalon in Texas about steering locking up. Plan to talk to class action lawyers over airbag and steering. And arrange my own lawyer with settlement lawyers to make this repair and all tsb to be performed. I will never buy a car unless I can find all tsb problems associated with that car. I hope recalls can be opened especially when you guys in government state safety ,compliance and emissions do not expire. Recall

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 1- AUG 2020- MEGA MOTERS- PURCHASSED AUTO- CARFAX AND AUTO GURO- RECOMMENDED THIS VEHISCAL AND SALES PITCH INCLUDED THESE COMPANIES- HE SAID HE DOES GOOD BUSINESS- HE SAID HE WILL FIX ALL ISSUES IF THE ISSUE WAS WITH-IN 30 DAYS- CAR DROVE FINE- HE PUT AN INSPECTION STICKER- IT DID NOT SMOKE THEN BECAUSE HE HAD A HELPER WHO STARTED THE CAR AND PLACED INSPECTION STICKER READIN 10;2021? BUT IT WAS AUGUST 2020? THE HELPER DROVE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP- AFTER I PAID 7000.00 AND THUS DID NOT SEE START UP SMOKE AT THE DEALERSHIP 2. AT START UP - TOOK MY TWO SISTERS FOR A TEST DRIVE- GREY SMOKE- SAME DAY- AS PURCHASSED - SHOCK ISSUES-SUSPENTION AND DEALER- MY SISTER WAS DRIVING AS i CALLED TO TELL HIM i LOVED THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE- EXCEPT FOR THE SMOKE ANDRED OIL LIGHT AND THE SHOCKS- SUSPENTION- UNCOMFORTABLE SCRAPING SOUND- I WILL FIX- AS HE SAID HE FORGOT TO PUT THE NEW OIL CAP ON OIL AND SENSOR- HE SAID HE WOULD PLACE THE TIRE SHOCKS TO FIX SUSPENTION. 2- I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE- AND ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE- LIGHT OF OIL CAME ON- BUT GAGES READ NORMAL- MILES WERE AT 9800, DROVE FINE- JUST WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOUD SCRAP SOUND ON ANY DIPS ON ROAD AND THE SMOKE- AT START UP - AND DEALER AT MEGA MORTOR- SAID- TO BRING IT IN HE FORGOT TO PUT A SENSOR AND THE SHOCKS HE HAS THEM AT THE SHOP AND THE NEW OIL CAP- 2 RETURNED THE FOLLOWING MORNING- NO ONE WAS AT THE SHOP- I CALLED HIM HE SAID HE WOULD BE THERE AT 10 AM- - THE CAR SMOKED AT START INCREASED- - HE WAS NOT THERE AT 1030AM- CALLED HIM HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIX IT AS HE WAS BUSY- HE ASKED ME TO COME IN THE NEXT DAY- i CALLED NO ANSWER- CALLED AGAIN- AND HE SAID HE NEEDED ME TO BRING IT SATURDAY MORNING- AND HE WILL FIX- HE WAS RUDE AND SAID HE WAS BUSY- IT WAS SEPTEMBER- AND THE CAR IS HAZARD- IT STOPPED ON MY WAY INTO HIS SHOP AND GOT IT HOME- I GOT COVID 10-2020 TO 4/2020- LONGHAUL-

turn off the lights inside panel. The level of heat all the way up, the same with the gasoline level. The internal lights blink. Loss of power.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 1- AUG 2020- MEGA MOTERS- PURCHASSED AUTO- CARFAX AND AUTO GURO- RECOMMENDED THIS VEHISCAL AND SALES PITCH INCLUDED THESE COMPANIES- HE SAID HE DOES GOOD BUSINESS- HE SAID HE WILL FIX ALL ISSUES IF THE ISSUE WAS WITH-IN 30 DAYS- CAR DROVE FINE- HE PUT AN INSPECTION STICKER- IT DID NOT SMOKE THEN BECAUSE HE HAD A HELPER WHO STARTED THE CAR AND PLACED INSPECTION STICKER READIN 10;2021? BUT IT WAS AUGUST 2020? THE HELPER DROVE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP- AFTER I PAID 7000.00 AND THUS DID NOT SEE START UP SMOKE AT THE DEALERSHIP 2. AT START UP - TOOK MY TWO SISTERS FOR A TEST DRIVE- GREY SMOKE- SAME DAY- AS PURCHASSED - SHOCK ISSUES-SUSPENTION AND DEALER- MY SISTER WAS DRIVING AS i CALLED TO TELL HIM i LOVED THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE- EXCEPT FOR THE SMOKE ANDRED OIL LIGHT AND THE SHOCKS- SUSPENTION- UNCOMFORTABLE SCRAPING SOUND- I WILL FIX- AS HE SAID HE FORGOT TO PUT THE NEW OIL CAP ON OIL AND SENSOR- HE SAID HE WOULD PLACE THE TIRE SHOCKS TO FIX SUSPENTION. 2- I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE- AND ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE- LIGHT OF OIL CAME ON- BUT GAGES READ NORMAL- MILES WERE AT 9800, DROVE FINE- JUST WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOUD SCRAP SOUND ON ANY DIPS ON ROAD AND THE SMOKE- AT START UP - AND DEALER AT MEGA MORTOR- SAID- TO BRING IT IN HE FORGOT TO PUT A SENSOR AND THE SHOCKS HE HAS THEM AT THE SHOP AND THE NEW OIL CAP- 2 RETURNED THE FOLLOWING MORNING- NO ONE WAS AT THE SHOP- I CALLED HIM HE SAID HE WOULD BE THERE AT 10 AM- - THE CAR SMOKED AT START INCREASED- - HE WAS NOT THERE AT 1030AM- CALLED HIM HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIX IT AS HE WAS BUSY- HE ASKED ME TO COME IN THE NEXT DAY- i CALLED NO ANSWER- CALLED AGAIN- AND HE SAID HE NEEDED ME TO BRING IT SATURDAY MORNING- AND HE WILL FIX- HE WAS RUDE AND SAID HE WAS BUSY- IT WAS SEPTEMBER- AND THE CAR IS HAZARD- IT STOPPED ON MY WAY INTO HIS SHOP AND GOT IT HOME- I GOT COVID 10-2020 TO 4/2020- LONGHAUL-

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE PERMANENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENDALL TOYOTA (10943 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33156) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

TESTING API

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle started smoking and the engine stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

THE AUTO SURGES FORWARD AS I'M TRYING TO STOP EITHER AT A STOP LIGHT OR PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES AND MY MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WOULD BE FOR IT TO HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT. THERE'S NO PATTERN TO WHEN IT HAPPENS BUT IT'S SCARY AND I'M AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT. IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AS I WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE ENTERING A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. THE OTHER TIMES IT HAPPENED WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP. I NOW PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN IT HAPPENS AND THE ENGINE IS RACING AWAY. PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ISN'T ENOUGH TO COME TO A COMPETE STOP. I'VE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING WITH NO HONEST ANSWER FOR CORRECTING IT. MOSTLY TRAIL AND ERROR. TOYOTA HAS TO KNOW THE ANSWER BUT THERE'S NO SERVICE BULLETINS FROM THEM. I'M AFRAID THAT IT'S GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR BODILY INJURY TO ME OR MY WIFE. NHTSB HAS GOT TO LOOK INTO THIS ASAP. P.S. MY CAR HAS 71000 MILES ON IT.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 1- AUG 2020- MEGA MOTERS- PURCHASSED AUTO- CARFAX AND AUTO GURO- RECOMMENDED THIS VEHISCAL AND SALES PITCH INCLUDED THESE COMPANIES- HE SAID HE DOES GOOD BUSINESS- HE SAID HE WILL FIX ALL ISSUES IF THE ISSUE WAS WITH-IN 30 DAYS- CAR DROVE FINE- HE PUT AN INSPECTION STICKER- IT DID NOT SMOKE THEN BECAUSE HE HAD A HELPER WHO STARTED THE CAR AND PLACED INSPECTION STICKER READIN 10;2021? BUT IT WAS AUGUST 2020? THE HELPER DROVE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP- AFTER I PAID 7000.00 AND THUS DID NOT SEE START UP SMOKE AT THE DEALERSHIP 2. AT START UP - TOOK MY TWO SISTERS FOR A TEST DRIVE- GREY SMOKE- SAME DAY- AS PURCHASSED - SHOCK ISSUES-SUSPENTION AND DEALER- MY SISTER WAS DRIVING AS i CALLED TO TELL HIM i LOVED THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE- EXCEPT FOR THE SMOKE ANDRED OIL LIGHT AND THE SHOCKS- SUSPENTION- UNCOMFORTABLE SCRAPING SOUND- I WILL FIX- AS HE SAID HE FORGOT TO PUT THE NEW OIL CAP ON OIL AND SENSOR- HE SAID HE WOULD PLACE THE TIRE SHOCKS TO FIX SUSPENTION. 2- I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE- AND ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE- LIGHT OF OIL CAME ON- BUT GAGES READ NORMAL- MILES WERE AT 9800, DROVE FINE- JUST WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOUD SCRAP SOUND ON ANY DIPS ON ROAD AND THE SMOKE- AT START UP - AND DEALER AT MEGA MORTOR- SAID- TO BRING IT IN HE FORGOT TO PUT A SENSOR AND THE SHOCKS HE HAS THEM AT THE SHOP AND THE NEW OIL CAP- 2 RETURNED THE FOLLOWING MORNING- NO ONE WAS AT THE SHOP- I CALLED HIM HE SAID HE WOULD BE THERE AT 10 AM- - THE CAR SMOKED AT START INCREASED- - HE WAS NOT THERE AT 1030AM- CALLED HIM HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIX IT AS HE WAS BUSY- HE ASKED ME TO COME IN THE NEXT DAY- i CALLED NO ANSWER- CALLED AGAIN- AND HE SAID HE NEEDED ME TO BRING IT SATURDAY MORNING- AND HE WILL FIX- HE WAS RUDE AND SAID HE WAS BUSY- IT WAS SEPTEMBER- AND THE CAR IS HAZARD- IT STOPPED ON MY WAY INTO HIS SHOP AND GOT IT HOME- I GOT COVID 10-2020 TO 4/2020- LONGHAUL-

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY REGAINED CONTROL AS HE MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION ARM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE PERMANENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENDALL TOYOTA (10943 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33156) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

THE ENGINE STARTED COLD AND REVVED TO 2500 RPM AND THEN OSCILLATED BETWEEN 2500 AND ABOUT 3000 RPM AND NEVER SLOWED DOWN. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE IT THE BLOCK AND A HALF TO MY HOUSE USING THE BRAKE TO STOP AT THE ONLY STOP SIGN ON THE ROUTE BUT STOPPING WAS DIFFICULT. THE NEXT MORNING I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ULTRA-FAST IDLE AND DROVE THE CAR ON AN ERRAND THAT WAS ABOUT 2 MILES DISTANT. THE SAME PATTERN PERSISTED BUT THE BRAKES WERE HEATING UP AND SMELLING FROM FREQUENT USE IN KEEPING THE CAR WITHIN THE CITY SPEED LIMIT. IT ALSO STRESSED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHILE BRAKING AGAINST THE FAST MOTOR. I STARTED SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND COASTING TO CONTROL THE SPEED WHILE THE ENGINE SPEED OSCILLATION CONTINUED. I PARKED THE CAR BACK HOME AND HAD A TOW TRUCK TAKE IT TO MARIETTA TOYOTA WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE IDLE CONTROL MOTOR AT A COST OF $669.00 LESS A $99.00 NEGOTIATED DISCOUNT. THAT SERVICE SOLVED THE PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEM HAD THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKES, CAUSE ONE TO COAST IN NEUTRAL WITHOUT IDEAL CONTROL OF THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY, ETC. *TR

WENT OFF ROAD TO MISS DEER, AIR BAG, RECENTLY TO TOYOTA FOR RECALL ON AIR BAGS, DID NOT INFLATE OR DEPLOY. *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF OF A LEDGE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT WHICH POINT I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO BARRIER IN PLACE ON THAT SIDE. I CHOSE TO DIRECT MY VEHICLE TOWARD THE MUD PIT ON THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. I CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD AND NOSE DIVE THROUGH THE FIRST MUD/DIRT EMBANKMENT. I EXPECTED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY ON BOTH SIDE AND FRONT TAKING THE SPEED AND FORCE OF THE COLLISION WITH THE FIRST EMBANKMENT AND THE YAW OF THE VEHICLE IN THE AIR. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE STILL AT THIS TIME AT WHICH POINT I HAD NOW LANDED REAR BUMPER FIRST AND A BIT SIDEWAYS ON A 2ND EMBANKMENT. THIS THEN LAUNCHES THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AIRBORNE FINALLY COMING TO REST IN A MUD AND GRAVEL DRIVE WAY OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LIVES OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL OF IT'S TRANSMISSION FLUID ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THROUGH SOME OPENING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT DAMAGED BUT AFTER FURTHER RESEARCHED I HAD DETERMINED THAT THE IMPACT SENSORS ARE ACTUALLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. 2 WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH WERE MYSELF, THE DRIVER, AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER WHO WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT NOT PROPERLY. SHE HAD THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT ON BUT THE SHOULDER PORTION BEHIND HER. SHE IS A 20 YEAR OLD ADULT FEMALE.I AM A 19 YEAR OLD MALE AND HAD MINE ON PROPERLY. SHE HIT HER HEAD TWICE ON MY HEADREST. I WAS THROWN INTO THE SIDE OF MY DOOR AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN BACK AGAINST THE DOOR RESULTING IN BRUISED RIBS. IF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SYSTEM WERE TO HAVE DEPLOYED PROPERLY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BARRIER BETWEEN ME AND THE DOOR WHICH CAUSED MY BRUISED RIBS ON MY LEFT SIDE. THERE IS A KNOWN AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR WHICH TOYOTA WHICH I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF A SOLUTION FOR AT THIS TIME. *TR

March 13, 2026, I was on a road trip from CA to AZ and while driving around 75-80mph (speed limit), something in the driver's side seat belt or the shoulder holster exploded, the belt tightened, and something metal or plastic flew off. Shortly after (within 30 seconds or so), the passenger's side seat belt did something similar where something in the seat belt mechanism exploded and another part went flying. There was an electrical buzzing noise. I was looking for a place to pull over when the air bags went off. There was no bump in the road or a dip and I did not hit anything. I don't remember the order the air bags exploded but it was one after the other. The driver's side air bag exploding left a red abrasion on my left hand. The vehicle was brought to a nearby dealership (Anderson Toyota) where they said they could not verify what the issue was. The safety of myself and others on the road were at risk as the explosions were very loud and the air bags occluded my view while traveling at a high speed. The vehicle has been inspected by a 3rd party representative from Bosch (Apr 2nd) as sent by Toyota corporate and Toyota has not given me any updates. Calling them several times they have failed to return calls, and after a call today, they said the case was filed as closed without my prior notice. I do not recall warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEECHMONT TOYOTA (8667 BEECHMONT AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45255, (513) 388-3800) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,807.

CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN PUT ON BRAKES AND PUT IN NEUTRAL HAS NOT DONE THAT AGAIN WHEN I WENT TO TOYOTA TO REPORT INCIDENT WAS BRUSHED OF HAVE NEVER FELT SAFE IN THIS CAR SINCE. *TR

THE GAS PEDAL ON OUR 2003 TOYOTA AVALON BEGAN STICKING WHEN CAR WAS 5 YEARS OLD. IT WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND WE WANTED TO BEGIN MOVING. IT BECAME HARD TO DEPRESS UNTIL A GOOD BIT OF PRESSURE, AND THEN THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD VERY QUICKLY. WE TRIED LUBRICATING THE PEDAL MECHANISM BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK. THE DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT AT OUR 100,000 MILE CHECK BUT IT STILL STUCK. THE RECENT PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA GAS PEDALS MAY HAVE BEEN AROUND A LOT LONGER THAN THOUGHT. *TR

WINDOW WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ON MARCH 30 , 2016, THE DEALER ORDERED THE PART AND MADE US PAY$342.00 DEALER HAS REPEATEDLY DELAYED AND FINALLY TOLD US TO CALL TOYOTA.WE DID. TOYOTA SAID THEY STOPPED MAKING THE PART BUT HAD TO START AGAIN BECAUSE SO MANY WIPER MOTORS FAILED. NOW THEY ARE OUT OF THEM AGAIN AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET THEM IN. MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING THIS CAR WITH NO WINDSHIELD WIPER SERVICE AND HAS A CHILD TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL. TOYOTA SUGGESTED WE RENT A CAR BUT WOULD NOT HELP PAY FOR IT. THEY SAID THEY ONLY HELP SPECIAL CUSTOMERS WITH RENTALS BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO QUALIFY. WE HAVE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND JAY (WHO WOULDN'T GIVE HIS LAST NAME)AT TOYOTA WAS FLIPPANT AND SAID WE HAD AN OLD CAR. HIS NUMBER IS 18003314331 EXR [XXX] CASE NUMBER [XXX]1 IN NAME OF [XXX] AND HE WAS NOT ONLY NO HELP BUT NASTY AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO GET THIS PART OR A DELIVERY DATE AND ACCORDING TO [XXX], MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP US SO WE CAN GET TOYOTA TO TAKE SOME ACTION [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THERE WAS FLUTTERING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO WEAK SPRINGS IN THE SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY. *AK THE AIR DAM (WIND DEFLECTOR PART OF THE MOON ROOF) FLUTTERED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CAUSED A SHOCK WAVE/EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE IN THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PUEBLO TOYOTA, 2220 U S 50 W, PUEBLO, CO 81008) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,457.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

DURING THE DRIVE TO FLORIDA, A HARD BRAKE (NO SKID) AND STEER TO THE LEFT WAS NECESSARY. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THAT, THE STEERING BECAME SHAKY AND A ROAD RUMBLING NOISE WAS NOTICED. AFTER SETTLING IN, WE TOOK THE CAR TO A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THEY RE-BALANCED THE TIRES. THAT DID NOT STOP THE SHAKY STEERING WHEEL OR THE ROAD NOISE. ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE CHANGING LANES, THE TIRES RAN OVER LANE DIVIDER BUMPS AND A BLOWOUT OCCURRED. REPLACED THE FLAT TIRE WITH THE SPARE (FULL SIZE) AND IMMEDIATELY, THE ROAD NOISE CEASED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PERFECTLY NORMAL. I INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND A 2 INCH RIP/GAP IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD. WENT BACK TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I HAD RUN OVER A SOME KIND OF SHARP ROAD HAZARD. I BELIEVE THE BELT BENEATH THE TREAD HAD FAILED. *TR

2003 TOYOTA AVALON WITH A TIRE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRE WAS REPAIRED DUE TO PUNCTURE. THEN THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND THE NEW TIRE AND THE OLD TIRES WERE THEN FILLED WITH NITROGEN. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES FRONT TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR. HE RE-FILLED THEM WITH AIR. WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE BEING FILLED WITH NITROGEN. *JB

I DROVE INTO A PARKING SPOT, PUT MY CAR INTO PARK & RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. THE CAR ROLLED BACK AS IF IT WAS IN REVERSE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE & DROVE BACK UP INTO THE SPACE. I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK, RELEASED THE BRAKES, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR ROLL BACK AGAIN. I PULLED BACK UP INTO THE PARKING SPOT, SHIFTED BACK INTO PARK & THIS TIME PUT ON PARKING BRAKES. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR & WENT INTO THE STORE. WHEN I CAME BACK, MY CAR WOULD NOT START. NOT ONLY WOULD IT NOT START, IT WOULD NOT MAKE ANY SORT OF NOISE (WHICH IS HOW I KNEW IT WASN'T THE BATTERY). I CALLED FOR A TOW & THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO START IN GEAR NEUTRAL.

WHEN I TRY TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR OF MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I FEEL RESISTANCE. IF I PRESS TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE, IT THEN RACES AND DOES NOT RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS W/O ANY PATTERN. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS FAILED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHIN 1,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE PART WAS MOST LIKELY DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD LOW MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 34,955. UPDATED 1/23/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OF THE SENSORS ALSO AFFECT EMISSION (FUEL AIR RATIO). UPDATED 02/12/2013 *JS

VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL RANGE FINDER THAT SHOWS THE MILEAGE PER GALLON. THE FUEL RANGE FINDER IS FAILING, AND IS GIVING INCORRECT READING. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.*AK