KnownCarProblems2001 Toyota Avalon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Avalon, most often about the speed control (18% of complaints, typically around 52,500 miles). It is 9th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2001 Toyota Avalon problems
Speed control
24 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
I had at least 3 occasions where my Toyota Avalon gas pedal stuck. I took my car to the Toyota dealer and told them about it. They took it for a drive and said there was nothing wrong. My car is a 2001 Avalon.
Avalon xls v6 automatic transmission 46,000 miles I had just backed out of my garage and I stopped to lower the garage door. The car was in still reverse and I went to accelerate and the gas pedal went to the floor and the car went backward in reverse all the while I was trying to stop it with the brake pedal. I went…
Air bags
21 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Horn sounded squeaky, then inoperative. Airbag light went on. Cruise no longer worked. Toyota diagnosed the spiral cable a/k/a clock needed replacement. Other vehicles, including toyotas, had recalls on this. It should not have malfunctioned at this age of the car, only 108,000 miles. Should have been a recall, paid…
The contact owned a 2001 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while her brother was stopped at a sign, a vehicle crashed into another vehicle causing that vehicle to crash into the contact's vehicle from the rear. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the driver sustained…
Engine
15 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Engine warning light and vsc and vsc off light went on while driving!. Dealer indicated that a valve in the charcoal canister assy. Was shorting out. The component is part of the emissions system and the vsc is part of the same circuit hence both sets of warning lights went on. Dealer indicated that if you top off the…
I have an oil engine sludge problem that Toyota is trying to place the cause on my shoulders. My husband performed oil changes at regular intervals at about 4500 miles between each change. Twice we have had other change the oil. Once the dealership and once a texaco express lube, both which we were able to obtain…
Electrical
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when the key was inserted into the ignition. After repeated attempts, the contact was able to eventually start the vehicle. The ignition switch was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized…
I have replaced o2 sensors twice to get rid of the check engine light for codes that have popped you p1135 & p1155. Took car to two different mechanics and Toyota dealership and no one could figure out why the light is still on. All sensors have been replaced with denso parts. This seems like a recall if not even the…
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, tread/belt.
Check tire pressure usually the first week of the month and never had problem of tires losing 60% of air between checkups. I thought that there was a puncture and took it to discount tire in romeoville(where I bought yokohama tires). Checked all the four tires and found no nails or other. They however found two wheels…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. The vehicle has michelin mxv4, size p205/65r15 92vms tires. While driving 70 MPH, the rear passenger side tire blew out. The contact stated that he did not drive over anything that may have caused the failure. The tires on the vehicle were replacements that were purchased from…
Visibility and wipers
11 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: windshield, rearview mirrors/devices, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
The sensor that causes the rear windshield defroster to turn off malfunctioned and caused the back glass to overheat and shatter. I have a mr2 which was not listed in the various models.
Both visors (l&r) have broken. When the visor is latched out of the way there is undue stress on the hinge and anchor causing the hinge assembly to break apart . This stress also causes the anchor that to holds the visor at rest to rip out. This is clearly is a desgin flaw and should be repaired by Toyota. I was told…
Brakes
11 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages.
The consumer is having problems with the brakes. At 17217 while driving down a steep hill, the were applied and there was a feeling of metal on metal. The brakes and rotors were replaced at this time. At 27000 miles the brakes had to be replaced as well as the rotors. The dealer reported that the problem was due to a…
2001 Toyota Avalon experiencing problems with the brakes, and windows. There was a persistent problem with noise that seemed to originate from the front end. The noise was intermittent and noticeable after the vehicle was warmed, when making turns or when applying the brakes. An inspection revealed that the caliper…
Steering
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 121,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
2001 Toyota Avalon while driving in a residental area and turing right from one street to another, the steering wheel locked and I was unable to straighten the wheel. I had to apply the brakes to avoid running into a residentail wall. After applying the brakes, I moved the transmission from drive to neutral and then…
I was driving my 2001 Toyota Avalon on the freeway. A car cut me off so I swerved to avoid it. After that, I could not control the steering in my car. I headed toward a wall and tried to turn away from it, but the steering did not respond even though I was turning the steering wheel. I crashed head first into the wall.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Toyota Avalon recalls
Steering
Risk: Should the steering lock bar break, the steering wheel would lock and the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering interlock device free of charge. The safety recall began on september 7, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2000-2004 avalon vehicles. Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface of the lock bar. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break.
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: This condition could cause failure of the assembly following long-term usage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front sub frame, if necessary. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front sub frame assembly has not been adequately welded.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2001 Toyota Avalon
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Avalon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (24 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles); air bags (21 complaints, typically around 108,000 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Avalon have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 29, 2010 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Toyota Avalon?
- It is 9th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints, with 134 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.