10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,945 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #19

Sep 172019

Avalon

  • 38,350 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. While driving 2 mph in a parking lot, the accelerator pedal spontaneously depressed to the floorboard. As a result, the contact crashed into a Subaru forester. There were no warning indicators illuminated. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The contact called team Toyota of glen mills (1050 baltimore pike, glen mills, pa 19342, (484) 407-0835) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: [xxx]. no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 38,350. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #18

Mar 212016

Avalon 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. While in reverse, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000....updated 12/28/16 Toyota found no evidence of a manufacturing or design defect. According to Toyota, the accelerator pedal was properly secured and undamaged when inspected. The accelerator pedal was operating as designed with no obstructions. The brake pedal was also inspected and no damage or leakage was observed. The brake fluid was properly filled to the recommended level. When the brake pedal was applied it felt firm and held pressure. During the test drive, a stall speed test was performed and the brake systems over powered the throttle system holding the vehicle stationary. However, there was an unsecured floor mat on the front driver side are. Updated 01/04/17.

- Laurelton, NY, USA

problem #17

Mar 042015

Avalon

  • 141,000 miles
My father was driving down the street in a residential subdivision in my 2000 Toyota Avalon when the car began to suddenly accelerate on its own. My father lost control as he was unable to brake. He ended up side swiping a tree then hitting a parked car head on pushing it onto someones front lawn. Luckily he was able to stop the car by putting it in neutral and turning the ignition off.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #16

Apr 212014

Avalon

  • 88,500 miles
While pulling into a parking space in front of a retail store. The car suddenly accelerated with engine at highest RPM.... front end hitting concrete wall. Police and emt's called and report given. Relatively minor head and chest injuries to 88 year old driver. No air bag deployment. Car towed to repair shop.where it was discovered that the steel cable from the accelerator pedal where it is located just inside the fire wall was stuck in the full accelerate position. The location of this cable was not affected by the resulting crash. There were no carpet pads or other such items which could have interfered with the accelerator pedal ( as previously reported in past high speed Toyota crashes).further, the driver's foot was off the accelerator and moving towards the brake at the time of acceleration but the distance traveled was only about 10 feet before the crash!

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #15

May 262012

Avalon 6-cyl

  • 93,500 miles
Driving between 10-15 mph in an open parking lot, the car suddenly accelerated (rpms between 7-8). Applied brakes to no avail. When trying to shift to park, the car accelerated in reverse. Did manage to get car in park and shut off engine. Most horrifying experience. Very fortunate and blessed no other persons, vehicle or building was in our path. Was able to restart the car and it idled normal and exhibited no other accelerations when driving. Brought car to Toyota dealer. Diagnostics performed and found no problem. Dealer contacted Toyota Corp. And notified us nothing would be done unless we contacted corporate personally to report the incident. As of this date, we now have a case number assigned from corporate and the car is back at the dealer for further assessment.

- Tavares, FL, USA

problem #14

Mar 092010

Avalon

  • 93,000 miles
TL-the driver owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. While driving at 65 mph the vehicle involuntarily accelerated resulting in a crash that destroyed the vehicle. The police appeared on the scene and the driver was reported injured. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location by an insurance company. The failure and current mileage was 93,000. Sm.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

problem #13

Oct 192007

Avalon

  • 24,000 miles
TL * the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. While driving in reverse 5 mph during normal weather conditions, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The contact was not sure if she accidently hit the accelerator or the brakes. Two passengers in the other vehicle were injured one was cut from the glass from the window. A police report was filed. The contact 's vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage and current mileage were 24,000. The contact is unable to provide a VIN#.

- San Manto, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 152008

Avalon

  • miles
2000 Toyota Avalon driven by my wife quote "suddenly took off" resulting in a wreck. Car was totaled with no airbag deployment. Early morning with heavy rains, approx. 35 miles per hour speed, breaking, when car took off.

- Watha, NC, USA

problem #11

Oct 102003

Avalon

  • 20,000 miles
2000 Avalon accelerated unintended while traveling down lafayette avenue in hawthorne, NJ driver did all she could to control car and to avoid people and property. The only way she could stop the car was to drive into a telephone pole. Causing severe injury to herself.

- North Haledon, NJ, USA

problem #10

Jun 092009

Avalon

  • 116,513 miles
2000 Toyota Avalon car unexpectedly accelerated while car was in cruise control. Could not disengage cruise control.check engine light also came on. Condition was verified by teach when serviced by dealer. Cleaned and serviced mass air flow sensor and reset. Clean and serviced idle air control valve.

- Crownsville, MD, USA

problem #9

May 202003

Avalon

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. The contact was driving approximately 50 mph onto an entrance ramp, proceeding to a yield traffic signal. Unexpectedly, there was an increase of acceleration. The vehicle began to travel uncontrollably across an intersection. An opposing vehicle crashed into the driver side rear panel near the tire. The driver sustained a severe injury to his back. The police was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and repaired for body damages. The VIN was unavailable. The cause of failure has not been determined. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Holliston , MA, USA

problem #8

May 292001

Avalon

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. The driver was driving approximately 10 mph. Unexpectedly, the vehicle began to increase excessive acceleration. The driver applied both feet to the brake pedal with great force. The vehicle crashed into a stump to avoid entering into a river. The speed rate increased to 35 mph. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver suffered minor injuries. The police was not called to the scene. The failure mileage was 12,000.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #7

May 242002

Avalon

  • 14,254 miles
Sudden acceleration, one time only, resulting in severe front end damage. I was at entrance to car wash speaking to the attendant when the car took off at high speed. My car was stopped by hitting the rear end of a Jeep at the end of the car wash. The reason was inexplicable.

- Marblehead , MA, USA

problem #6

Dec 142009

Avalon 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,836 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph on the interstate and trying to engage the cruise control, it would not respond and failed to activate. Following that failure, on three different occasions when he exited the highway, the vehicle would suddenly accelerate. He was able to apply the brakes and turn the vehicle off to avoid a potential crash. A few days later, while driving approximately 3-5 mph, the vehicle lunged forward over the curb and into a building. The driver was not injured. A police report was taken. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and then it was released to the dealer who stated that they were unable to diagnose the failure. He called the manufacturer and was told that someone would contact him. When he was contacted by a representative, he was told that they could not offer him any assistance. The body of the vehicle was repaired but the acceleration problem was not addressed when the complaint was filed. The current mileage was approximately 64,000. The failure mileage was 63,836. Updated 04/30/10

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 312010

Avalon

  • 52,000 miles
For your information, I had a 2000 Toyota Avalon which I purchased new and was in excellent condition. The car had a power surge, which caused the car to go through a brick wall at a car wash in clinton, Ms. Insurance company totaled the car. Since my car was idling at the time and no foot was on the accelerator I believe it was a computer glitch which caused the car to accelerate. I had no control over the car what so ever. I am being penalized for this. Toyota should be held responsible. I feel fortunate my wife and I were not killed or injured. Fortunately no one at the car wash was killed or injured. Please take action on the problem. It is not the accelerator, it is a computer problem. Your prompt action N this matter with Toyota will be greatly appreciated.

- Clinton, MS, USA

problem #4

Oct 302009

Avalon

  • 120,000 miles
The first thing that happened was that the air bag light on the dash came on. Looked this up in the manual and it said to take the car in to the dealer - which I did. The local Toyota deal said that they ran a check and found nothing wrong with the car. Their explanation was that a led light in the dash was malfunctioning. My horn was not working either - so they wiggled the wires under the hood and said that it would be fine. The horn lasted until I was out of their driveway. This fall I decided to take my car to a local garage to have the brakes replaced. And asked them if they would check on my horn, since it didn't work. They told me it was odd for a horn to go out - but they would replace it if needed. Before they did anything to the horn they called me to let me know that not only did I not have a horn but - I didn't have the driver air bag or cruise control. The problem is that a spring in the steering column is broken. It is called the cable hub assembly. Presently I can not get a clean inspection on my car - because this is a safety hazard issue. Used parts are not safe to use and new parts must be ordered from Toyota - and are costly. The labor for installation is costly as well.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 061999

Avalon 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Problems with consumer getting locked in vehicle as well as brake problems. The problem had been present since the vehicle was purchased. The steering wheel would not turn, neither would the key turn the ignition. The brake problem remained unresolved. On another occasion the consumer tried to slow down to make a turn and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The only way the vehicle wold stop, was to turn the key and the shut the motor off. The vehicle lost power when backing out of a parking space, the ignition problem was intermittent and the brake problem was intermittent.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 082004

(reported on)

Avalon

  • miles
Among the four Toyota vehicles owned by the consumer only the 2000 Avalon would surge forward while sitting at a traffic light. Pushing hard on the brakes would keep the vehicle from hitting other vehicles and the surge would stop as quickly as it started. This was an intermittent problem.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #1

Jan 292002

(reported on)

Avalon

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While trying to turn key in ignition switch off doors and windows will automatically lock without being able to exit vehicle. Consumer also stated that brakes feel spongy, also when driving, the vehicle will sometimes accelerate by itself.

- Oceanside, CA, USA