Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Visibility reportsComplaints 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.
30
Latest Jan 2, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 137 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3
What this page shows
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Toyota Avalon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming visibility
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
1) System Failure: Back window shade. It is available for inspection at any time. 2) Safety of me and others put at risk: When the shade is down I can not see out the back window posing a significant risk to those behind me particularly pedestrians 3) Has problem been reproduced: Yes 4) Has the component been inspected: No the motor operating the shade has not been inspected 5) Warnings prior to system failure: None Description: The window shade is meant to automatically retract out of sight when the transmission is placed in reverse. It does not retract at all. It stays fully extended covering the entire back window. This problem drastically impairs my ability to see out the back window at all. While being a problem at all times driving the vehicle it is particularly problematic when backing up at night; you simply can not see anyone behind you backing out of a parking space in a mall for example.
NHTSA ID
11633747
Incident
Dec 1, 2024
Visibility
Filed Feb 25, 2024
Rear window shade stuck in 'UP' position, cannot see out the rearview mirror, especially at night. Makes for very dangerous driving.
NHTSA ID
11573876
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 2023
The rear window spontaneously shattered into little fragments of glass and fell into the backseat section of the vehicle. This happened once while parked at work in a gated lot and security camera with motion sensors caught the incident happening on video. Temperature was in the high 80 F, and happened in August of 2022. After 5 months later the rear window shattered again while parked on driveway. Safety of anyone in the back seat is at risk due to sharp glass. Unable to convince the dealer this is a factory defect. Manufacturer said they can do a visual inspection but in realty results will be pointless since the car have not been in any accident. No warning appeared before rear window shattered.
NHTSA ID
11505008
Incident
Jan 29, 2023
Visibility
Filed Apr 18, 2022
Rear window sunscreen (dark black) stuck in the up position. Poor visibility during night driving with the curtain stuck in the upright position. This has always had this problem and Toyota has not solution.
NHTSA ID
11461254
Incident
Nov 15, 2014
Visibility
Filed Mar 28, 2022
The sun shade in the rear back malfunctions. When it malfunctions you are unable to visibility see when backing up due to the sun shade being in the way which put other people at risk for safety when backing up. Also when this piece malfunctions it makes a gridding nose which can cause a wreck if the person is unaware of the noise in the car while backing up. This function has been looked at by a Toyota Dealer ship which would result of owner paying over $1000.00 to get it fixed or even disabled. There are no warnings regarding the malfunction besides a loud noise while backing up when not functioning properly.
NHTSA ID
11458601
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Visibility
Filed Jan 7, 2021
THE REAR SUN SHADE WHICH EXTENDS AND RETRACTS TO COVER THE BACK WINDOW OF MY AVALON HAS A FAULT WHICH CAUSES IT TO GET STUCK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION, COVERING THE REAR WINDOW. THIS DRASTICALLY REDUCES THE VISIBILITY OUT THE REAR WINDOW AND THERE IS NO OBVIOUS OR SIMPLE FIX FOR THE ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. BEFORE THE SHADE GOT STUCK, IT WOULD RANDOMLY EXTEND OR RETRACT DURING HOT DAYS, WHICH SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAULTY RELAY. THIS IS CLEARLY A POOR DESIGN WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND ANYONE BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHILE BACKING UP.
NHTSA ID
11387022
Incident
Aug 4, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistanceVisibility
Filed Dec 24, 2020
I JUST PURCHASED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON FROM CARMAX. DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS OF DRIVING I HAD OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING. ONE. THE REAR WINDOW IS DISTORTED AND WILL NOT COME CLEAN NO MATTER WHAT I ATTEMPT TO USE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A CLEAR VISIBILITY. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT WHILE IN A STOP POSITION, WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND REAPPLY TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE A SEVEN DAY RETURN POLICY NO QUESTIONS ASKED. BUT I REALLY LOVE THIS CAR IN BEEN WAITING TO FIND THAT PARTICULAR COLOR EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR WHICH IS BLACK LEATHER. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL OR OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS.
NHTSA ID
11384856
Incident
Dec 22, 2020
Visibility
Filed Jul 5, 2020
THIS ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. REAR SUNSHADE RANDOMLY DEPLOYED AND IS PERMANENTLY STUCK IN THE UP POSITION COMPLETELY BLOCKING REAR VISIBILITY. SUNSHADE IS SUPPOSED TO GO DOWN WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE, THIS FUNCTION NO LONGER WORKS FURTHER INHIBITING SAFE VEHICLE MANEUVERING. THE REAR FACING BACKUP CAMERA HAS A STATEMENT SAYING TO NOT RELY ON THE BACKUP CAMERA WHEN BACKING UP, THIS NO LONGER AN OPTION FOR ME AS I CAN NO LONGER CLEARLY SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. NIGHT TIME REVERSING IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE WITH ANY DEGREE OF SAFETY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AS THEY REPLACED A RELAY IN THE SUNSHADE IN MODEL YEARS AFTER 2014 THAT SEEMS TO HAVE REMEDIED THIS ISSUE. THERE IS NO WAY MANUALLY LOWER THE SUNSCREEN. THERE'S NO WAY TO EASILY SWAP OUT THE DEFECTIVE RELAY. THERE'S NO WAY TO DISCONNECT THE SUNSHADE FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. THERE ISN'T AN INDEPENDENT FUSE FOR THE SUNSHADE THAT CAN BE REMOVED. THE SUNSHADE APPEARS TO BE ON A FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, BRAKING SYSTEM AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. BY REMOVING THE FUSE THIS WOULD MAKE MY VEHICLE EVEN LESS SAFE THE IT ALREADY IS.
NHTSA ID
11337546
Incident
Jul 2, 2020
Mileage
86,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 10, 2020
THE REAR SUNSHADE IS STUCK IN THE 'UP' (EXTENDED) POSITION, GREATLY HINDERING VIEW TO THE REAR, BOTH WITH REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND WHEN DRIVER TURNS HEAD TO THE REAR. THIS DEVICE IS DESIGNED TO AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT FROM 'UP' POSITION EVERY TIME THE CAR IS SHIFTED TO "REVERSE" GEAR, SO AS TO NOT HINDER REAR VIEWS. IT WORKED FINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT LAST MONTH IT BECAME STUCK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION, AND CANNOT BE RETRACTED. THIS IS A PROBLEM AT ALL TIMES; BUT IS ESPECIALLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION AT NIGHT, WHEN DARKNESS HINDERS VIEWS. FROM ONLINE SEARCHING, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY, AND MOST COMMENTERS SAY IT'S NOT WORTH FIXING, BECAUSE REPLACEMENT UNITS DEVELOP THE SAME PROBLEM. REMOVING THE UNIT IS MY PREFERRED APPROACH. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT SEVERAL HOURS OF LABOR ARE REQUIRED, AS THE REAR SEAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF A MOVING CRASH; IT HAPPENED SPONTANEOUSLY, AND IS NOW AN ISSUE 100% OF THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ID
11328161
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 7, 2019
THE REAR WINDOW SHADE AUTOMATICALLY RAISED ITSELF AND IS STUCK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION. IT MAKES A LOUD SOUND FOR ~20 SECONDS WHENEVER THE CAR IS PUT INTO REVERSE OR WHENEVER YOU ATTEMPT TO RETRACT THE SHADE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO OBSERVE TRAFFIC THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR, PARTICULARLY AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ID
11266854
Incident
Oct 2, 2019
Visibility
Filed Jul 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW PRIVACY SCREEN WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION; THEREFORE, BLOCKING HIS VISIBILITY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ID
11234125
Incident
Jul 9, 2019
Mileage
50,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 7, 2019
1 injury reported
THE REAR RETRACTABLE SUNSHADE WENT UP AND LOCKED IN PLACE AND WILL NOT RETRACT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. AT NIGHT IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE ANY VEHICLES BEHIND YOU. BACKING UP BECOMES A PROBLEM AS WELL FOR IT BECOMES HARD TO SEE PEDESTRIANS AS THEY PASS BEHIND YOU IN PARKING LOTS. VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING.
NHTSA ID
11194499
Incident
Apr 4, 2019
Mileage
36,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 2, 2018
MY REAR WINDOW SHADE HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IT IS IN THE UP POSITION AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE BEHIND ME UNLESS FULL SUN IS PRESENT. THIS IS A CONSTANT SITUATION.
NHTSA ID
11115449
Incident
Jul 4, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Sep 29, 2017
THE REAR POWER SUNSHADE, WHICH IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE LIMITED MODEL, RAISES ON ITS OWN AND WON'T GO BACK DOWN CAUSING LOW VISIBILITY. THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY LOWER IT EITHER
NHTSA ID
11030445
Incident
Sep 6, 2016
Mileage
35,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 8, 2017
HEADLINER AT TOP OF REAR GLASS IS DROOPING WHERE THE HEADLINER MEETS, AND HAS DEVELOPED A CREASE AT A POINT IN THE CENTER, RESTRICTING VISIBILITY OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. IT IS A DEFECT AND THE DEALER (NORTHTOWN TOYOTA - AMHERST, NY) WILL NOT REPLACE/REPAIR AS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONTACTED TOYOTA TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED.
NHTSA ID
10993889
Incident
Dec 9, 2016
Mileage
13,400 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 22, 2015
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR THE REQUIRED 10,000 MILE WARRANTY MAINTENANCE. AT THIS TIME, I SHOWED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WATER MARKS HAD APPEARED IN ALL FOUR UPPER CORNERS OF THE INSIDE CLOTH LINERS BESIDE THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS. I WAS TOLD THE SUNROOF HAD TUBES THAT OCCASIONALLY CLOGGED AND THEY WOULD CLEAR THE TUBES AND CLEAN THE INSIDE CLOTH. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS OUR AREA EXPERIENCED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RAIN. WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 15,000 MILE WARRANTY MAINTENANCE, I SHOWED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WATER MARKS APPEARED TO HAVE WORSENED IN THE SAME AREAS. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE NO CLOGS IN THE SUNROOF TUBING AND THEY HAD ATTEMPTED TO RECREATE THE WATER LEAKAGE BY RUNNING WATER OVER THE CAR FOR ONE HOUR. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE WATER MARKS KEPT REAPPEARING AND DID NOT KNOW IF ANYONE CALLED TOYOTA. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO "RECALLS" PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. I PERFORMED A GOOGLE SEARCH AND DISCOVERED A BLOG WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND ONE PERSON EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLINERS AND CLOTH REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO BUT I COULD REPORT THIS TO THE NHTSA IF I FELT THE NEED TO SEEK REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10700929
Incident
May 5, 2014
Mileage
9,800 mi
ElectricalSteeringVisibility
Filed Sep 1, 2014
Fire reported2 injuries reported
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND BEGAN TO OPERATE AT FULL SPEED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND AT ATTEMPTS TO STOP THEM. THE HORN STARTED GOING OFF WITH ALARM NOISES IN THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL ODOR AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO ENTER THE CABIN THROUGH THE DASH. ATTEMPTS TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WERE PREVENTED AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND OR WORK DESPITE STEPPING ON THEM WITH BOTH FEET AND ATTEMPTING TO PUMP THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AND DOWN A HILL WITH NO ELECTRICAL, STEERING, OR POWER FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED THE PASSENGER JUMPED OUT. FIRE BEGAN TO COME THROUGH THE DASH AND UPON THE DRIVER OPENING HIS DOOR FIRE ALSO CAME INTO THE CABIN FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER JUMPED OUT JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAREENED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND EXPLODED 3 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10629931
Incident
Aug 24, 2014
Mileage
1,800 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 19, 2014
I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 2013 TOYOTA AVALON, THERE IS ONE REALLY BAD DESIGN FLAW!!! THE ACCENT CHROME AROUND THE CONTROLS AND AIR CONDITIONER VENTS REFLECT THE SUNLIGHT INTO THE EYES OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER, AND IT IS BLINDING. THE BLINDING REFLECTION MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND/OR DIRECT INJURY TO THE EYES SUCH AS RETINA, CORNEA DAMAGE AS WELL AS ANY OTHER EYE DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. I HAVE TRIED THE DARKEST/PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR THAT I CAN PURCHASE BUT THE REFLECTION STILL COMES THROUGH BLINDING. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE DARKEST WINDOW TENT ALLOWED BY LAW INSTALLED (PURCHASED AT THE DEALERSHIP). I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA DIRECTLY BUT HAVE HAD NO OFFER FOR A SOLUTION. THIS IS A SIMPLE TO FIX WITH A REPLACEMENT PIECE OF DASH CHROME IN A NON-REFLECTIVE COLOR SUCH AS A FLAT BLACK, WOOD-GRAIN, OR BRUSHED METAL COLOR. A CUSTOM DESIGNED DASH AREA SHADE SHOULD ALSO OFFER A SOLUTION. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS THROUGH AN INTERNET SEARCH. *TR
NHTSA ID
10626328
Incident
Oct 17, 2013
Mileage
1,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Apr 22, 2014
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2014 AND EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY HVAC ASSEMBLY REPAIRED THEY TELL ME THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING ME AND MY SAFETY AT RISK BY NOT PRODUCING A FIX FOR THIS RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10584112
Incident
Apr 21, 2014
Mileage
14,200 mi
Other / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Dec 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS DISTORTED, CAUSING HIS VISIBILITY TO BE MINIMIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLIANT WITH STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ *TR
NHTSA ID
10557310
Incident
Feb 10, 2013
Mileage
7,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Nov 21, 2013
SUNLIGHT IS REFLECTED INTO THE EYES OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER FROM THE INTERIOR TRIM. THIS BRIGHT REFLECTION NOT ONLY MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT TIMES, THE SUNLIGHT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE RETINA AND CORNEA. THE LIGHT COMES FROM MANY DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CAR SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONSTANTLY SHIELD WITH OUR HANDS WHILE DRIVING. WE KEEP THE SUNROOF CLOSED. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE SUN IS DIRECTLY OVERHEAD OR AT AN ANGLE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY AREAS THAT REFLECT THE LIGHT. WE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. WHILE THEY INITIALLY SEEMED WILLING TO HELP, IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THEIR SILENCE, THAT THEY HOPE THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CONDITIONS SUCH AS MACULAR DEGENERATION, CATARACTS, AND PTERYGIUM, CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO BRIGHT SUNLIGHT IN THE EYES AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT FROM THIS CONSTANT EXPOSURE. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD CORRECT THE DESIGN FLAW IN OUR CAR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10553264
Incident
Mar 31, 2013
Mileage
75 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW BECAUSE IT WAS DISTORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
NHTSA ID
10550796
Incident
Jul 2, 2013
Mileage
1,700 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A CONSTANT GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD, AFFECTING THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE APPROACHING VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN OPTED TO CLEAN THE DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 767. UPDATED 11/20/13*CN
NHTSA ID
10548690
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
700 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Sep 5, 2013
COMPLAINT: SUN GLARE REFLECTION COMING FROM DASHBOARD, SAFETY ISSUE, SIMILAR TO NETS. ON 04/01/13, JAMES FEWEL TOYOTA NATIONAL HQ, DOCUMENTED MY DASH GLARE ISSUE UNDER FILE #[XXX]: ON 3-16-2013, WE PURCHASED A 2013 AVALON FROM COGGIN TOYOTA JACKSONVILLE. IT HAS FL LEGAL WINDOW TINTING. THE DASH'S CHROME TRIM CAUSES A GLARE ISSUE ON A SUNNY DAY, CAUSING BRIGHT GLARE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF DASHBOARD TRIM THAT IS SILVER/CHROME. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH GLARE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. WHAT IS TOYOTA'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE? ON 05/21/13, [XXX], SERVICE DIRECTOR, TOYOTA AVENUES, RESPONDED: [XXX], I FORWARDED YOUR PICTURES TO OUR TECH DEPT AS WELL AS SUBMITTED A PRODUCT QUALITY CASE. RESPONSE BACK FROM MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE CHANGED AT THIS TIME TO KEEP THE GLARE COMING OFF OF THE CHROME TRIM PANELS. THE REF FOR THE DEALER PRODUCT REPORT IS CASE # [XXX] IF YOU WISH TO CALL THE CUST SPT CENTER TO UPDATE YOUR CASE. THANK YOU, [XXX], TOYOTA AVENUES [XXX]. ON 05/22/2013 [XXX] AT TOYOTA HQ RESPONDED: [XXX], WE ARE SORRY FOR THE CONCERNS THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSED AND HAVE FORWARDED YOUR EMAIL TO A CASE MANAGER HERE IN OUR DEPT. THE CASE MANAGER WILL CONTACT YOU VIA PHONE BEFORE THE END OF BUSINESS, MAY 23, 2013. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR EMAIL AT OUR NATIONAL HQ UNDER FILE #[XXX]. ON 05/23/2013 RECEIVED A CALL FROM TOYOTA CASE MANAGER [XXX], SO I SENT HIM PICTURES SHOWING THE GLARE ISSUE. THERE WAS NEVER ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM TOYOTA HQ ON IT. BOTTOM LINE: TOYOTA NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A FIX TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE, REPLACING ALL THIS GLOSSY CHROME WITH SOMETHING NON-REFLECTIVE. PUTTING CHROME IN THE DASH AREA WAS A POOR DESIGN. MY WIFE OFTEN FEELS SICK, DUE TO THE WAY THIS GLARE HURTS HER EYES. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10542153
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
500 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Aug 12, 2013
VERY UPSET TOYOTA CUSTOMER, PURCHASED SHOWROOM 2013 TOYOTA AVALON WITH HEADLINER IN THE REAR DROOPED DOWN. THIS IS BRAND NEW...I WAS TOLD THAT PROBABLY SOME KIDS HAVE PULLED THE HEADLINER DOWN WHILE IN SHOWROOM. WAITING FOR RESOLUTION I DECIDED TO READ ON COMMON PROBLEMS AND LONE BEHOLD! TOYOTA, YOU HAD BETTER GET THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT DUE TO HEADLINER OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW. HOW FAST THIS IS RESOLVED IS GOING TO DETERMINE HOW I SPEAK ABOUT TOYOTA AND FUTURE PURCHASES! GET AFTER IT! NEXT UP, SEAT BACK COVERS ALSO WAS BLAMED ON KIDS IN SHOWROOM PULLING THEM DOWN. I LOOKED AT THE DESIGN AND SEE HOW SORRY THE ENGINEERING IS. TOYOTA, NEED FIX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. A GOOD ONE! I WILL REPORT THIS TO THE NEWS IF NOT RECTIFIED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10534799
Incident
Aug 9, 2013
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own