My husband is in the military and we are in the process of relocating. We are currently, in a new area and I had to take my car to the closest dealership to my location because I found a huge amount of oil in the driveway. When checking the oil I realized an oil slick on the ground, I then proceeded to check the dipstick. The oil had began to spill in large volumes out of my Toyota Avalon. I immediately added oil so I could take it to the dealership. I made several calls before taking it to the dealership because I had recently had my car serviced at another Toyota dealership. When describing the problem the maintenance assistant instantly diagnosed the problem without looking at the Avalon. I called two other dealerships and they had the same response and told me that I needed to bring my vehicle in immediately. When I got to the dealership they confirmed the problem and at that time told me that the "pipe assembly" part is on National Backorder and that they weren't expecting the part until February 16, the date the vehicle was taken in was January 15th. Because my car is no longer under warranty, Toyota is taking little to no responsibility for their defective part that is causing undo hardship on Toyota�s owners. After talking to various Avalon dealers, I found that some owners had to have their engines replaced because of the defective part that Toyota is aware of that have not informed the public of this problem. I�ve been loyal customer and have maintained my car to Toyota�s standards by insuring a licensed Toyota technician performs the maintenance on my vehicle in accordance with the maintenance manual. I�ve spoke with Toyota�s regional headquarters management with my complaint and they have offered me a loaner for 10 days. On day ten I am required to return the vehicle and find another source of transportation until my vehicle is fixed. Since then I was informed that the part in due to come in on February 18. So...I could possibly be without a car for almost 30 days. In my opinion that is absurd when I am still paying on this vehicle. I have asked why this particular part isn't classified as a recall issue. Apparently, Toyota has been quietly fixing the problem under while the vehicles are under warranty so that consumers didn't find it to be a severe issue; until a required number of complaints are issued. Now that it is on National backorder I am hoping other measures will be taken to fix this problem. I am just glad that I identified the problem before it got worse and my daughter and I wasn't stranded on HWY 495 in Washington DC traffic, on the cold highway waiting for the tow truck to pick us up because the engine locked up. The reason why I�m submitting this complaint is that every dealership I spoke with knew of this defective part and problem, but yet the company hasn�t issued a recall.

Bought the car used on 12/26/08. It has been at the Toyota dealership waiting for parts since 1/06/09. Still have not been given an estimated time of repair. They at least gave me a loaner car til my car gets fixed. Big fall from a 2006 Avalon to a 2008 Hyundai Sonata.

Wife drove the car to a meeting on Monday 1/5/09. Called me on the way home and complained of burning smell and all dash board lights flashing. She got home and I tried to start car, would not start. In the am, car started no problem. Drove about 2 miles to Advanced auto parts to have battery checked. Notice smoke coming from car. Check oil, dip stick was dry. Added 2 qts of oil still dry.. Drove car home and called dealer to have wrecker to come and pick vehicle up. Noticed a significant amount of oil on the driveway. (couple of quarts). Called dealership to send wrecker to pick car up. They have had my new car longer than I have.

In January 2008, my 2006 Toyota Avalon suddenly sprang an oil leak. After getting the cat towed to the dealership, I was told it was a hole in the oil supply line. Several months later there was a second leak. This one was a slow leak only living a few dime sized spots on the driveway. I was told there was some type of defective clamp. In October 2008, I had my third leak. This one was also a slow leak. I was told this time it was a defective gasket. In December 2008, I had my fourth leak. Again, it seemed fairly minor with some small spots on the driveway. The dealer said the leak wasn't major and I could drive the car until the part came in as it was a defective gasket which should hold. Well, after a week the part evidently gave out with all the oil leaking out of my car and requiring it to be towed to the dealership again. I have now been informed the part is coming from Japan and won't get here until mid-February 2009 at the earliest. At least the dealership has covered all the repairs under the warranty and has provided me with a rental until the part comes in. All this doesn't instill me with much confidence and I am worried the dealer and Toyota will keep patching the problem until the warranty expires.

On the day I took my car to Toyota, I had to put four bottles of oil just to make it to the dealership. The oil flowed right out without any warning light, only warning I received was a humming sound that came from the engine. Toyota said the part is on a National backorder from Japan and won't be available till mid February. Fortunately they gave me a loaner car till that time (which told me something wasn't right). There is something going on Toyota is not telling the consumers/car owners; this problem seems dangerous enough to cause a serious accident if an engine was to blow out on the interstate or during heavy traffic. I'm tempted to let the local newspaper know what's going on.

with no warning lights on my dashboard, I experienced a rapid complete leak and loss of engine oil. Car did not cease moving, but when I pulled into a garage, all oil was "gone." Car was towed to dealership -- evidently it is a type of OIL hose for which there is currently a backorder of several hundred (replacement part). So at this point, this car cannot be repaired. So far dealership was very nice and provided a loaner Camry, but I am concerned about engine damage. Evidently this problem is quite widespread in Avalons 2006 and forward, and Toyota may issue a recall on this part in the near future. Of course I would have noticed a warning light on my dashboard, but there was NONE. Awaiting resolution, don't know how this will be resolved.