This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" 1- AUG 2020- MEGA MOTERS- PURCHASSED AUTO- CARFAX AND AUTO GURO- RECOMMENDED THIS VEHISCAL AND SALES PITCH INCLUDED THESE COMPANIES- HE SAID HE DOES GOOD BUSINESS- HE SAID HE WILL FIX ALL ISSUES IF THE ISSUE WAS WITH-IN 30 DAYS- CAR DROVE FINE- HE PUT AN INSPECTION STICKER- IT DID NOT SMOKE THEN BECAUSE HE HAD A HELPER WHO STARTED THE CAR AND PLACED INSPECTION STICKER READIN 10;2021? BUT IT WAS AUGUST 2020" THE HELPER DROVE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP- AFTER I PAID $7000 AND THUS DID NOT SEE START UP SMOKE AT THE DEALERSHIP 2. AT START UP - TOOK MY TWO SISTERS FOR A TEST DRIVE- GREY SMOKE- SAME DAY- AS PURCHASSED - SHOCK ISSUES-SUSPENTION AND DEALER- MY SISTER WAS DRIVING AS i CALLED TO TELL HIM i LOVED THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE- EXCEPT FOR THE SMOKE ANDRED OIL LIGHT AND THE SHOCKS- SUSPENTION- UNCOMFORTABLE SCRAPING SOUND- I WILL FIX- AS HE SAID HE FORGOT TO PUT THE NEW OIL CAP ON OIL AND SENSOR- HE SAID HE WOULD PLACE THE TIRE SHOCKS TO FIX SUSPENTION. 2- I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE- AND ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE- LIGHT OF OIL CAME ON- BUT GAGES READ NORMAL- MILES WERE AT 9800, DROVE FINE- JUST WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOUD SCRAP SOUND ON ANY DIPS ON ROAD AND THE SMOKE- AT START UP - AND DEALER AT MEGA MORTOR- SAID- TO BRING IT IN HE FORGOT TO PUT A SENSOR AND THE SHOCKS HE HAS THEM AT THE SHOP AND THE NEW OIL CAP- 2 RETURNED THE FOLLOWING MORNING- NO ONE WAS AT THE SHOP- I CALLED HIM HE SAID HE WOULD BE THERE AT 10 AM- - THE CAR SMOKED AT START INCREASED- - HE WAS NOT THERE AT 1030AM- CALLED HIM HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIX IT AS HE WAS BUSY- HE ASKED ME TO COME IN THE NEXT DAY- i CALLED NO ANSWER- CALLED AGAIN- AND HE SAID HE NEEDED ME TO BRING IT SATURDAY MORNING- AND HE WILL FIX- HE WAS RUDE AND SAID HE WAS BUSY- IT WAS SEPTEMBER- AND THE CAR IS HAZARD- IT STOPPED ON MY WAY INTO HIS SHOP AND GOT IT HOME- I GOT COVID 10-2020 TO 4/2020- LONGHAUL-
We own a 2003 Toyota Avalon. We received the safety recall notice regarding the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) for this vehicle in March of 2014. The red airbag light in the dash has been on, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. Since this involves the very safety and well-being of my family, we called the local West covina dealer, at least four (4) times and made at least one (1) drive-in visit, to get this matter resolved. Each time we were told there was no ' SRS ECU ' replacement part available. On our last attempt to reach out to them, we left a message for the service advisor at the West covina Toyota location and was not even given the courtesy of a return phone call. We are thoroughly disappointed and frustrated! since this places our family at great risk of harm and endangers their well-being, out of desperation, we are reaching out to you. It has now been over two (2) years since receipt of the initial safety recall notice. Surely, this is sufficient time to be able to rectify the problem! please feel free to contact via email at either [xxx] to discuss this matter. Or, you may reach out to us by phone at [xxx](H) or [xxx] (C). It is my hope that your assistance will provide the impetus needed to resolve this matter. Sincerely yours, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15V043000 (electrical system, air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The recall notices was received in April, 2015. But the part needed to fix the problem was not available. The recall notices said "Toyota is preparing sufficient parts to support installation of sub-wire harness....we will send another notification when preparation are complete". my concern is that me and my family are currently driving around in an unsafe vehicle. The recall notice went on to say "the front airbag and/or seatbelt pretensioners could inadvertently deploy" my question is when is this problems going to be fixed. I have not taking this car on a major trip since this recall because I feel my family is at risk. I would appreciate a response to this inquiry. This recall correction need to be completed. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Boonville, MO, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V043000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of this issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available. Updated 04/06/16 the conusmer stated the part had to be ordede and is now available. Updated 04/14/16.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V043000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to do the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Update 01/13/16 MA updated 01/22/16
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V043000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact received recall notifications from the manufacturer related to the supplemental restraint system and electronic control unit. The parts needed to perform the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The NHTSA campaign numbers were unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 12/03/15
Toyota has known of this problem for years and has worked on the car last year to give a temporary fix, now a few months ago Toyota sends yet another recall for same parts, but yet the dealers nor Toyota has any idea of when this will be available, meanwhile we drive around in fear of unnecessary deployment of airbag. We have been in contact with Toyota and all the local dealers and no one can tell us anything, but on the news the reports say the airbags are being replaced
I received a recall notice for my 2003 Toyota last year. This is my Florida car and when I returned to Florida last Nov./Dec. I took it in for recall service to Toyota of stuart. (5101 SE federal hwy, stuart, fl tele. 772466 8300). At this visit, I was told parts are not in and they would call me when parts arrive. After waiting a few months and no call, I went back. I than was told I have to bring car back again so they can measure for replacement part. Then they will call me back for recall repairs after measurement visit which they need to schedule. Never called again for schedule--am I getting a runaround"?"
The electronic control module went out on my 2003 Toyota Avalon. I was denied my claim for reimbursement for the $ $760 charge as it was a defective part.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V147000 (electrical system), but the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. The consumer received an air bag recall. However, she was informed the parts were not available. Updated 01/21/15.
Electronic control module (ECM) issue: Problem w/ intermittent warning lights for air bag some time ago (researching date)- took vehicle to dealership. No more light, but vehicle began stalling/losing power while driving- rarely, but became more frequent over time. Instrument panel/check engine lights will illuminate- now every minute or so while driving. Other people have same problem- NHTSA id 10605681. Took vehicle to dealer late May. Dealer on phone w/ Toyota multiple times + had tech from another dealer come and look at vehicle - could not figure out what was wrong. Dealer now says the ECM faulty. Not repaired, but dealer wants to charge 8hrs of diagnostic time and not repaired - can dealer charge if recall item? my concern is that problem is more than air bags- faulty ECM results in loss of power/control when engine shuts down, stalls or experiences intermittent loss of power- vehicle no longer safe to operate. I cannot drive it; I cannot sell it. Called Toyota, asked for part # of recalled SRS/ECM- was told only local dealer has part numbers. They took information and transferred me to "Toyota corporate"- operator id'd as Toyota corporate asked questions, indicated they had documented my file. When I asked operator to confirm items operator had chosen to document, operator refused to respond to my requests for confirmation- I asked for supervisor- was told "no supervisor" there. Operator threw me on hold (on hold for over 30 minutes w/ corporate then transferred me to NHTSA w/out operator ever coming back on the line prior to transfer (NHTSA conf # available). "corporate" indicated that Toyota has no control over dealers- they can charge whatever they want to diagnose even if related to recall notice. Loss of use over 1 month. Dealer said no new ECM replacement part available. Pretty sure recall remedy inadequate.
Letter from senator ted cruz re: Constituent and Toyota refusing to pay for a recall repair done on his 2003 Toyota Avalon (mailed to austin, tx office attn: Susanna sovran). The consumer stated the vehicle broke down twice, and it had to be towed. The repair shop replaced the ignition cylinder and switch housing assembly, at a cost of $430. Two months later, the consumer received a recall notice regarding an issue with the steering column upper bracket. The consumer went to the dealer, in regards to the recall, and ask if the recall was for the ignition switch, and the dealer stated no. When the consumer requested to see the part that was replaced, he noticed it was the same part, that was replaced in his vehicle two months prior. The consumer was denied reimbursement, in which the letter stated the vehicle did not meet the criteria, for reimbursement under the special service campaign goodwill.
On this date the car was recalled for a steering column upper bracket replacement. Today March 19th, we took the vehicle to our regular mechanic for front brakes and to check because the key will come out of the ignition when the car is turned off and in drive or reverse rather than park. It was also pointed out to us by our mechanic that the steering wheel no longer locks which has been the case since they did the recall work but we just realized today. He then proceeded to tell us about the recall and we explained we had taken it in for the bracket. So, in short, since Toyota replaced the bracket on this recall, the steering wheel no longer locks and the key will come out in drive when the car is turned off, which should not occur.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that he was able to remove the key from the ignition while the gear shifter was still in drive. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and a report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 64,000.
On 4/01/03, I leased a 2003 Toyota Avalon XL from prestige Toyota of ramsey, N.J. by the time I signed all of the paperwork and took possession of the car, it had become dark outside. The display of gear positions (P, R, N, D, 2, L) which was obvious in daylight, was now impossible for me to distinguish. By the time I arrived home, my eyes were strained from trying to read the letters, thus creating a hazardous driving experience. From dusk to dawn, it is unnerving to search for letters on the dash board panel. While all other indicators are illuminated, the gear position panel is not. The letters are of a light white color and are enclosed within a thin-lined green neon square which blurs the letters even more. I returned to the dealership the next day to voice my concern and request an exchange for a safer vehicle, but I was told this was not possible. In addition, the dealership was unable to repair this defect. I have made phone calls to the dealership, Toyota customer relations (#200304030875)(tel.# 800-331-4331), my lease company (southtrust bank) and state senator tom morahan, as well as a visit to the attorney general at Consumer Affairs in white plains, NY, all to no avail. Please consider my request and complaint. Thank you very much.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Phoenix, AZ, USA