KnownCarProblems2002 Toyota Avalon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota Avalon, most often about the air bags (30% of complaints, typically around 159,500 miles). It is 10th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Toyota Avalon problems
Air bags
35 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 159,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver of the vehicle crashed into a cement divider on the highway. The air bags did not deploy. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The driver of the vehicle and the contact, who was in the front passenger seat, was…
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated recurringly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer three times where the system was reset but to no avail. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 14v147000(air bag) but did not confirm if the vehicle was included…
Speed control
25 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
In 2007 my 2002 Toyota Avalon had a serious accident due to sudden acceleration. I was parallel parking, heading slowly forward at no more than 1 or 2 MPH when the car suddenly took off. My car struck the car in front of me, careened across the road and sidewalk, and crashed into a truck parked in a driveway across…
(02/19/2008) was driving my 2002 Toyota Avalon just before 9 am se in the l lane on rte.2 (ct) at 65 MPH with the cruise control on. There was an obstruction in the l lane so I put on my signal, pushed on my brakes and proceeded into the r lane. Instead of slowing down, my vehicle continued to speed up. I lost control…
Steering
18 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10v345000 (steering) and contacted the dealer to secure an appointment for repairs. The dealer advised that the recall parts were not readily available. The dealer advised the contact that he would be notified when…
When turning steering wheel hard to turn like it get stuck can turn the steering wheel.I was driving a city street when I notice a few days ago. Just seeing the recall notice.how long does the consumer have to get assistance with recall.
Brakes
14 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 110,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
Driving car in parking lot at 10 MPH and suddenly would not move any more when in gear while engine running normally. Following indicator lights were on: "vsc on", "vsc off", and "ABS". Wheels were totally locked and would not turn and tires drug when vehicle pulled up flatbed tow truck with winch. Dealer diagnosed as…
- the contact called regarding the 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact was traveling at 25 MPH when all four wheels locked. The road conditions were slippery. The vehicle did not lose power. There were no warning indicators. The failure mileage was 95,000. The vehicle would not go forward or in reverse gear. The vehicle…
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, rim.
I've had my 2002 Toyota Avalon since it had about 25,500 miles. It now has about 77500. From the start of owning the car, the tires were worn as if the car was not aligned properly. We had it aligned at a reputable company, purchased top of the line michelin tires. They wore incorrectly just as the first ones on the…
While driving approximately 30 MPH left rear tire blew out. Part of tire became shredded where rim was split. Took vehicle to dealership for repair. Dealership was not able to repair vehicle due to lack of personnel. Had tire replaced at cosco, but problem recurred. Consumer returned the tire to costco where they…
Engine
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on five separate occasions where the fuel cap and fuel line hose were replaced at different times. The failure recurred two…
This is to report 3 incidents of unintended acceleration of my Toyota Avalon. In each incident, the car accelerated unexpectedly for a short time while driving about 55mph on a smooth level highway. The accelerations experienced can be best described as a "lunge". These incidents were no impact anomalies. They are…
Electrical
6 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: wiring.
Had driven about 10 miles. Stopped at traffic signal and noticed smoke filling passenger compartment, thought it was from car in front which had excess exhaust, rolled down window and cleared air. Drove several hundred feet and noted car fill with smoke and also coming from hood area ,stopped lifted hood to see flames…
2002 Toyota Avalon xls with about 84,000 miles periodically stalls when braking and turning 90 degrees at low speed at the bottom of the hill near our house. It's an intermittent problem. The engine stalls and power steering becomes inoperative making it difficult to control car until it is stopped and the engine…
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: windshield, rearview mirrors/devices, defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls.
Driving my 2002 Avalon xls in a hard rain and in pooled street water, the wash from other cars caused my aircondition belt to get wet and the defogging system to go off immediately, result in a complete lack of visibility. The service managerat the dealers said this was a usual occurence and not a part failure, but an…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 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.
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 2002 Toyota Avalon
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Avalon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (35 complaints, typically around 159,500 miles); speed control (25 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles); steering (18 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Avalon have?
- 1 recall 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 2002 a bad year for the Toyota Avalon?
- It is 10th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints, with 116 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.