2007 Toyota Avalon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Toyota Avalon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance8728.6%
- Body & structure289.2%
- Engine278.9%
- Brakes268.6%
- Airbags206.6%
- Electrical175.6%
- Steering165.3%
- Powertrain (other)165.3%
- Visibility134.3%
- Other / unspecified123.9%
- Transmission93.0%
- Interior & seats82.6%
- Fuel system72.3%
- Suspension62.0%
- Tires & wheels62.0%
- Exterior lighting51.6%
- Heating & air conditioning10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Immediately upon making a low-speed contact of my back bumper with a pole, the engine revved loudly. I attempted to go from reverse to drive to get some clearance from the pole. I then immediately attempted to put the car in park so I could get out and observe any damage. Immediately, the car accelerated extremely suddenly and quickly. I went over a curb where I had parked prior to backing up and contacting the pole. I hit a landscaping decorative boulder and a young tree. It was clear that my car was headed into the two-way street straight ahead since it was clear my breaking efforts were useless. I believe the car went airborne for a second, landed and continued straight, thankfully not hitting any vehicle or pedestrian. I saw a parked black full-size pickup truck and figured we would hit it, we did. I thought if the truck didn't stop us then we would continue into the building just beyond it. We landed on a memorial boulder next to the truck with the front end on the boulder and the rear of the car low to the ground. It was very difficult to exit the driver's door because the truck was angled so that my door wouldn't open much. It was difficult to get the door handle to actually open the door. I kept trying the lock in case it was engaged. I squeezed out praying loudly for God to help us, over and over again as I squeezed out. I thought the engine was on fire - I thought I saw smoke but later realized it was the powder from the airbags. I was trying to get to the other side of the vehicle to help my friend out. I had a hard time walking due to scraped up legs. A lady came up to me to help. I asked if my friend was ok. I asked if anyone was hit. She said he was out of the vehicle and no one was hit. I held onto her because I was very weak and shaking. I thought my chest pain was due to a heart attack. But when she coached me on my breathing I realized the pain at my sternum was from the seatbelt. I yelled, "I tried to stop, I couldn't stop, the brakes didn't work!
Is available gas pedal stuck open hitting the brake wouldn't stop it didn't stop till impact with another vehicle doing 1to5 miles an hour in parking lot haven't taken in yet can't afford it Dec 27 day of accident was first time 2nd owner talked to first owner said brake recall is the one he fixed didn't know about the gas pedal recall
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR WINDOW SHADE WENT UP AND NOW WON'T GO DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN.WHEN THEY TOLD ME THE COST OF REPAIRING/REPLACING, I OPTED TO JUST NOT USE IT. A FEW WEEKS AGO, IT WENT UP AGAIN AND I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT, TOOK TO THE DEALER AGAIN TO SEE IF THEY COULD PUT IT DOWN AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD I NEED TO CHANGE THE MOTOR ( ALMOST $1000) SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO IT. I TOLD THEM I CANT SEE AT NIGHT AND THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THEY NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE YOUR REAR WINDOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HYANNIS TOYOTA, 1020 IYANNOUGH RD, ROUTE 132, HYANNIS, MA 02601, 508-775-1230) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Was not informed of Bad VVT or recall.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING UNEVEN AND SOME TIME IT STAYS IN ONE PARTICULAR GEAR EVEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. CAR DOESN'T NOT STOP EVEN WHILE APPLIED BRAKE. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK P MODE WHILE IT IS RUNNING ON THE ROAD TO STOP MY VEHICLE. SINCE EVEN I APPLY BRAKE IT DOES NOT WANT TO STOP.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Immediately upon making a low-speed contact of my back bumper with a pole, the engine revved loudly. I attempted to go from reverse to drive to get some clearance from the pole. I then immediately attempted to put the car in park so I could get out and observe any damage. Immediately, the car accelerated extremely suddenly and quickly. I went over a curb where I had parked prior to backing up and contacting the pole. I hit a landscaping decorative boulder and a young tree. It was clear that my car was headed into the two-way street straight ahead since it was clear my breaking efforts were useless. I believe the car went airborne for a second, landed and continued straight, thankfully not hitting any vehicle or pedestrian. I saw a parked black full-size pickup truck and figured we would hit it, we did. I thought if the truck didn't stop us then we would continue into the building just beyond it. We landed on a memorial boulder next to the truck with the front end on the boulder and the rear of the car low to the ground. It was very difficult to exit the driver's door because the truck was angled so that my door wouldn't open much. It was difficult to get the door handle to actually open the door. I kept trying the lock in case it was engaged. I squeezed out praying loudly for God to help us, over and over again as I squeezed out. I thought the engine was on fire - I thought I saw smoke but later realized it was the powder from the airbags. I was trying to get to the other side of the vehicle to help my friend out. I had a hard time walking due to scraped up legs. A lady came up to me to help. I asked if my friend was ok. I asked if anyone was hit. She said he was out of the vehicle and no one was hit. I held onto her because I was very weak and shaking. I thought my chest pain was due to a heart attack. But when she coached me on my breathing I realized the pain at my sternum was from the seatbelt. I yelled, "I tried to stop, I couldn't stop, the brakes didn't work!
I HAVE TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL TIME NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE CAR IS IN AT THAT TIME. IF NOT, THE CAR WOULD MAKE A MOVEMENT TO WHERE IT ACTS LIKE IT WANT TO JUMP OUT OF THE GEAR THAT THE CAR IS POSITION IN. EVEN IF THE CAR IS IN POSITION PARK POSITION IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED THE CAR WOULD MAKE A HARD MOVEMENT LIKE IT WANT TO KEEP MOVING. WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION AND THE STATIONARY PTO SWITCH IS ENGAGED BY THE OPERATOR, THE ENGINE MAY REV AND OVERCOME THE PARKING BRAKE'S ABILITY TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MY HOLE FRONT IN WAS SMASHED IN AND NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT AND AN AVALANCHE TRUCK PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT TRYING TO QUICKLY JET ACROSS THE STREET SO HE HIT THE GAS PEDDLE TO MOVE FAST AND SMASHED RIGHT INTO MY PASSENGER FRONT SIDE SMASHED THE HOLE FRONT END THE RADIATOR AND EVERYTHING MY CAR WAS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID AND EVERYTHING IT'S A TOTAL LOSS
ENTIRE DASHBOARD ABOVE AND BELOW AIR BAG COMPARTMENTS STARTING CRACKING ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON . GARAGE KEPT, 60, 000 MILES.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2007 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the transmission fluid was low. The contact became aware that transmission fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 123,226 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 311,025.
RECALL NUMBER: SET16B: THE SEATS CUSHION IS COMPRESSED AND WHEN TURN ON THE HEATER FOR THE SEATS IT GET OVER HEATED AND IT HARD TO TURN IT DOWN SO IT CAN COOL OFF FAST. LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATIONS LABELS THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD NO 110, REQUIREMENTS. TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO DEPRESS SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE OR IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION WHICH MAKE IT HARD FOR THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. WHILE IN MOTION. WHICH CAN CAUSE A RISK OF A CRASH. PEDAL ENTRAPMENT WHILE IN MOTION THE OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOME IN A VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving my 2007 Toyota Avalon returning home from work and was driving on a local road at approximately 25 MPH and turning my vehicle towards right on a curved road and the steering wheel seized and car veered and jumped the curb causing the passenger side bottom of car protection plastic guard clips damaged. No other damage to car observed other than minor scratches to front bumper due to tree limbs on grassy island next to curb. Hit the brakes hard and was able to stop vehicle stopping just before it could hit the tree on side of road. No warning lights were illuminated. No air bags were deployed. Was able to restart the vehicle and reversing down on the road and eventually was able to unseize the steering wheel. Was able to drive the car home and will be taking it to either Toyota dealer or vehicle repair shop for further diagnosis. No injures were sustained. No police report was filed. Will be calling the manufacturer to notify steering wheel seizure. The mileage of car was around 205,000+ miles.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel had seized causing a crash. The front passenger side and rear passenger side bumper impacted into a guard rail during the crash. No warning lights had illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact managed to restart the vehicle and the failure was temporarily fixed. No injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the insurance provider for further diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING UNEVEN AND SOME TIME IT STAYS IN ONE PARTICULAR GEAR EVEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. CAR DOESN'T NOT STOP EVEN WHILE APPLIED BRAKE. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK P MODE WHILE IT IS RUNNING ON THE ROAD TO STOP MY VEHICLE. SINCE EVEN I APPLY BRAKE IT DOES NOT WANT TO STOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 7/5/18*JB *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The dashboard melts/gets sticky when it is hot and humid outside. Once the dashboard is in the sticky state, it appears wet with melted/sticky plastic. When we look out the front windshield while driving, the sun reflects off of the extra shiny sticky dashboard and the experience of the entire front dashboard surface reflecting the sun is like looking directly into the sun. You cannot see out the front windshield because the glare is too severe because of the shiny dashboard top. Even with sunglasses on and visor down, it is impossible to see ahead of the car while driving because of the blinding glare. The glare off of the sticky dashboard and the reflection of the dashboard onto the inside of the windshield is very scary. The Toyota dealer said that they are aware of the issue and extended the warranty to replace the dashboard because of the problem, but they did NOT issue a recall. The extended warranty expired, ironically, this vehicle has been kept in a garage since it was bought in 2007 and only has 50,000 miles on it now...so we didn't know there was a problem until several years after their extended warranty expired in 2017. The dealer said that I would have to pay out of pocket to replace the dashboard and they would not pay for it. We called Toyota "Resolution Department" and they said the same thing. We asked them if they admit that it is a factory defect and it creates a dangerous driving situation, why would they not want to make it right?
2011: I NOTICED THE DASH FELT SOFT, NOT STICKY EXACTLY, BUT FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, PLIABLE. 2013: WHILE DRIVING ON VACATION I REALIZED MY VISIBILITY WAS TREMENDOUSLY IMPEDED BY THE INCREDIBLY OPAQUE GLARE IN MY WINDSHIELD FROM THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS SO BAD, I REALIZED I COULD MAKE OUT THE PATTERNED IMPRINT (DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE LEATHER GRAIN). THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE THIS GLARE AS LONG AS THE SUN IS OUT. IT SERIOUSLY IMPAIRS MY ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY, IS OBVIOUSLY DISTRACTING, AND ADDED TO MY FATIGUE ON THE TRIP. A SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE EVER WAS ONE CAUSING DRIVER IMPAIRMENT DUE TO EYE STRAIN ADDING TO DRIVER FATIGUE. 2015: I NOTICED MY FIRST CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIRBAG. WITHIN A MONTH, I FOUND ANOTHER CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH. THIS IS A GARAGE KEPT SECOND CAR, USED FOR LONG TRIP COMFORT AND SUNDAY DRIVES. 2016: CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT PROGRESSING CRACKS IN DASH. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT HAD ENDED 2 MONTHS EARLIER. SORRY BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. 2020: I AM WAITING FOR PIECES OF MY DASH TO FALL OFF. MY LATEST CRACK FOLLOWS THE INSTRUMENT COCKPIT TOP EDGE COMPLETELY ACROSS TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR CURVE. IT JUST SPLIT APART. THIS IS MY BABIED AND PROTECTED CAR, 2007 AVALON XLS WITH 64,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS SINCE THE EARLY 80'S; COROLLA, TERCEL, CELICA, CAMRY, RAV4, AVALON. NOT ONE OF THEM EVER HAD A DASH PROBLEM. IN LOOKING AT COMPLAINTS HERE THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE ABOUT THE DASH. TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP. WHO GETS TO DECIDE THAT ONE SAFETY ISSUE IS WORTH A RECALL BUT ANOTHER ISN'T? THE GLARE IS SO BAD THAT, MORE THAN ONCE, I HAVE BEEN NERVOUS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE BRAKE LIGHTS WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. IS IT FAIR THAT THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO OPERATE MY TOYOTA IS ON A CLOUDY DAY OR AT NIGHT? I HOPE EVENTUALLY ENOUGH COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS WILL HELP.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT WAS DAYLIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM LOCAL TIME. WE WERE ON GOOD INTERSTATE ROAD WITH MODERATE TRAFFIC AND DRY PAYMENT. WE WERE ON I-65 ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTH OF FRANKLIN, TN. MY WIFE AND I WERE THE ONLY PASSENGERS IN OUR VEHICLE AND WE WERE BOTH WEARING SEAT BELTS. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE OWNER AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. WE WERE NOT IMPAIRED AND HAD STOPPED FOR A REST BREAK AND A DRIVER CHANGE 15 MINUTES EARLIER. SHE WAS DRIVING, I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT US IN THE RIGHT LANE SUDDENLY SWERVED INTO OUR LANE FOR REASONS UNKNOWN. WE HAD TRAFFIC TO OUR IMMEDIATE RIGHT SO THE ONLY PLACE AVAILABLE FOR MY WIFE TO AVOID WAS THE LEFT EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY WHICH IS WHERE SHE WENT. THE LEFT SHOULDER WAS ROUGH DUE TO RECENT CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA. SHE LOST CONTROL AND WE SPUN OUT IN THE GRASSY MEDIUM WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. SHE WAS UNHURT. MY RIGHT CLAVICLE WAS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES WITH THE TWO BREAKS THE WIDTH OF THE SHOULDER BELT APART WHICH IS ASSUMED TO BE THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE BREAK. I WAS EVACUATED BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEAREST TRAUMA CENTER AND HAD SURGERY TWO WEEKS LATER TO REPAIR MY CLAVICLE. IT TOOK SURGERY, THE LARGEST CLAVICLE PLATE THEY MAKE, AND 10 SCREWS TO PUT MY SHOULDER BACK TOGETHER. OUR AIR BAGS DID NOT FIRE. OUR SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONERS DID NOT FIRE. THE OTHER VEHICLE FLED THE SCENE. OUR CAR WAS REPAIRED AT A STATE FARM CERTIFIED REPAIR CENTER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE TIRE INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE TIRE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,400. ..UPDATED 01/16/2013 *BF UPDATED 1/25/2013 *JS
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY WITH EXTREME HESITATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP, HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard had cracked. The contact stated that the vehicle was garage kept. The contact also stated there were three recalls on the vehicle related to the floorboard and front assembly heater and accelerator that were already repaired. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed with a defective dashboard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Driver seat rear driver side leg failed and cracked making seat separate from the rail and chair. Drivers seats rocks loosely. Other 3 legs functions properly but if you are rear ended then the seat would lunge forward towards steering wheel. No insurance review brought it to a welding shop to spot weld and rebrace the leg.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING NORTH ON I-95, MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDDLE, SO I ACCELERATED. AS SOON AS I ACCELERATED, THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH, THE RPM MONITOR FLUCTUATED BACK AND FORTH, AND THE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN EVEN MORE. I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO CHECK TRAFFIC AS I PREPARED TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. WHEN I STOPPED AND EXITED THE CAR, SMOKE WAS THEN BELLOWING PROFUSELY FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD AND UPPER RIGHT TIRE RIM, SO MUCH SO THAT I THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND NOW I'M WAITING FOR MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO OPEN SO THAT I CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. A SIMILAR ENERGY SURGE AND ROUGH DRIVING OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO AND MY CAR WAS TOWED IN, BUT NO PROBLEM COULD BE DETECTED. THE PROBLEM STOPPED AS MYSTERIOUSLY AS IT APPEARED, WITH NO SERIOUS REOCCURRENCES UNTIL YESTERDAY, 9/7/15. IN 2014, THE MECHANIC CHALKED THE PROBLEM UP TO POSSIBLY BAD OR CHEAP GAS.
SERVICE ENGINE AND MANY OTHER TROUBLE INDICATORS AT THE SAME TIME. TROUBLE FOUND FOR $80.00 LOOSE GAS CAP. DAY'S LATTER FOUND GAS CAP STRAP MISSING. RETURN TO DEALER WHO SAID THE STRAP IS WHAT CAUSE THE POOR SEAL SO THE TECH REMOVED IT (AS THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME). ASK TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT STRAP - NOT AVAILABLE. PURCHASED NEW GAS CAP WHICH COMES WITH STRAP (A 2 CENT ITEM) COST $25.00.TOTAL COST FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM $100. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE LITTLE PROBLEM FOR MOST OR ALL OF ITS VEHICLE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. IT IS A MONEY MAKER FOR THE DEALERS WHO NEVER SUGGEST LOOKING AT YOU GAS CAP. THEY CONNECT IT TO ANALYZER FOR $80.00. REMOVE THE STRAP AND SEND YOU ON YOUR WAY. SHAME SHAME SHAME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY PAID CASH FOR THIS TOYOTA AVALON $5000 WORTH $2200 THE CAR HAS 6 RECALLS NONE OF WHICH WERE EVER INVESTIGATED BY TOYOTA OR ANYONE ELSE. I FIRST GOT THE CAR STARTED DRIVING AND THE BELT STARTED SMOKING BEFORE 3 YRS THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED OUT BY ADVANCED AUTO FREE / WE PAID FOR A NEW BELT THEN THE TIRE WENT OUT 2 X FOUND OUT THEIRS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT ISSUE WITH THE ARMS THAT NEED REPLACING TOY DEALER AND AMERICAN BEST RECOMMENDED NEW ARMS AMER BEST PRICED $800 TOY DEALER PRICED $3-5K AMONG BRAKES WIPERS SUSPENSION ETC ! TOY SHOULD BE LIABLE TO FIX THE CAR PARTS AS I WENT THERE FOR HELP INSTEAD THEY SEND AN EST FOR THOUSANDS TO FIX WHEN THERE ARE 6 RECALLS REMAINING ! I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT 10/30 SOMEONE HIT ME WHILE DRIVING FROM BEHIND . THE CAR I BELIEVE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO OWNERSHIP. EVERYTHING I MENTIONED IS HAZARDOUS AND UNSAFE FOR MANUFACTURERS TO CONTINUE TO BUILD UNSAFE CARS ON THE ROAD!
PURCHASED VEHICLE "AS IS" WHILE RECOVERING FROM SURGERY. COULD NOT INSPECT VEHICLE. ON FIRST DRIVE ON CITY STREET, COULD NOT SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A RH TURN. BRAKES DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE, AND DRIVER HAD TO SHIFT DOWN. VEHICLE ENTERED ADJACENT LAWN BEFORE STOPPING. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SLOWLY TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED. ESTIMATE TO GET VEHICLE RUNNING SAFELY: $4,719.11. VEHICLE DECLARED UNSAFE WHEN SOLD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN DEFENDER (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 215/55/R17 (NA). THE CONTACT OBSERVED PUNCTURES IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND THE TIRE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
TWO YEARS AGO A LARGE CRACK APPEARED ON THE PANEL BELOW THE DASH ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. TWO MONTHS AGO ABOUT 3 MORE CRACKS APPEARED. THIS WEEK (8/4/13 THRU 8/12/13) 3 MORE CRACKS APPEARED PLUS A NEW CRACK HAS NOW APPEARED ON THE DASH ABOVE THE MULTI CRACKED PANEL. I NOW HAVE 35,000 MILES ON MY 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES AND $450.00 DOLLARS SEEMS AN EXORBITANT PRICE FOR A REPAIR. I SEE MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING IN VARIOUS FORUMS AND ON THIS SITE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE MAKING SOME KIND OF CONCESSION FOR OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
FAULTY 3RD BRAKE LIGHT ,THIS IS A WIDE SCOPE DEFECT,LIGHTWORKS SPORADICALLY,TOYOTA CHARGING 400 DOLLARS TO FIX,HUNDREDS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .