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.
2006 Toyota Avalon ct dealer quoted $1800 for timing cover oil leak; 17 hours of labor, inexpensive part; 3 recalls to date with this vehicle-extreme inconvenience and suspect of any issues on this car and Toyota record is horrendous per multiple safety and other recalls. I've seen other complaints on this timing cover reseal exact issue. A service bulletin was supposedly issued in 2007 eg 019-07. NHTSA bulletin 10021531. When will consumers get protection on these further Toyota issues?? I will raise this to highest levels.
We spotted drops of oil coming from our Toyota Avalon 2006. A Toyota dealership diagnosed the problem to be a slow oil leak from the front timing cover. The dealership estimates it will cost over $2,200 to reseal or replace the cover which costs about $50. We have decided, as of now, to not spend the major dollars involved, and keep a eye on the oil in the car. We have also researched that particular problem in the 2006 Avalon, and have found NHTSA technical service bulletin, item number 10021531, and 2006 Toyota Avalon, service bulletin #: 01907. The summary of this bulletin reads: "engine oil leak from front timing cover." The bulletin seems to be describing our problem exactly. When a comparison between the money involved with the repair ($2,200) to the part Toyota will replace ($50), there's something wrong with the 2006 Avalon's design and/or the situation calls for a Toyota recall.
In July 2009 our 2006 Toyota avalonxl had a vvt-I oil hose explode causing oil damage and personal repair expense of $277.67. I was notified by Toyota of a recall to replace this hose. It stated if already replaced then to send in the repair order, proof of payment and proof of ownership for reimbursement. This was submitted to Toyota on January 11, 2010. No response was received until I contacted them after 71 days. After a lengthy delay, I was denied reimbursement because repairs were not completed by an authorized Toyota dealer. My complaint is I am responsible for damages and repairs due to Toyota's defective parts without reimbursement after Toyota admitted their parts were defective.
My 2006 Toyota Avalon had a sudden loss of all my oil from a ruptured oil line while I was driving home from the store 2 miles away. Apparently Toyota knew about this problem based on other numerous similar incidents based on web comments. The oil warning light never went on and I never received a recall notice about this problem which was sent to other Avalon owners.
1. I was at a stoplight, foot firmly on the brake, doing nothing but waiting for the light to change. Suddenly I realized my car was moving forward, so I pushed the brakes harder. The pedal went down further but the car kept moving forward. All of this took only a few seconds. Then I heard and felt the engine accelerating very loudly. Just at that moment the light changed, and traffic sped ahead. Without thinking, I put my foot on the accelerator and the engine stopped roaring, the car accelerated normally and the brakes were responsive. 2. this was the only incident. 3. I was actually on my way to the Toyota dealer for routine maintenance when the incident occurred, so I continued on my way. When I got to the dealer, I had the person who met me at my car check the floor mat before I walked away. He said it was fine. Toyota performed all recall actions, asked if I wanted the computer re-programmed to allow the brakes to override everything else (I said yes), and filled out the forms and performed actions in accordance with an sua incident. They gave me a loaner and the next day told me that my car would be released. I asked for, and received a copy of the form for an sua incident, but it only has instructions for the technician and no written results, so I don't know what was found and what was done, other than normal recall work. I am filling this out because I no longer trust Toyota, and now I am afraid. It only happened once, so I don't know if they fixed the problem, and I want to be part of the record of incidents.
- Joliet, IL, USA
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I was driving my 2006 Toyota Avalon limited when the oil line apparently let go spewing oil all over the engine causing it to smoke. All the oil drained from the engine as a result, creating an environmental hazard. The Toyota dealer that repaired the line mentioned that there was a bulletin from Toyota alerting dealers to the problem but it is not a recall. A review of edmunds and other websites shows a long list of complaints regarding this specific engine failure.
I was traveling on the NY I-87 in my 2006 Toyota Avalon for approximately 30 minutes when the "check engine" light illuminated. Within a minute or so, the "check oil" light started blinking slowly at first, then after about 30 seconds it was on continuously. By this time I had pulled off into a gas station. As I was pulling into the station the engine was making a loud clicking noise. After it was parked, I checked the dipstick and there was no oil remaining in the engine. The underside of the car, including inside of wheels and brakes was completely coated with oil as well as the back of the trunk. Presumably from the spray underneath while traveling @ 65-70mph. I then purchased 3 quarts of oil, put it in the engine and it drained onto the ground. The mechanic stated there is a pin hole in the rubber section of the oil line. The use of a rubber hose for a pressurized flammable liquid system in this location is absolutely reckless. At a minimum, it should be some sort of armored or shielded hose. I'm amazed the car didn't start on fire from being doused with five quarts of oil leaking from the ruptured hose. The service person at the dealership indicated this is a common problem with 2006 Avalons and he couldn't understand why there hasn't been a recall issued. The engine repairs caused by this defect will cost me up to $5000. Today I found at least a 1000 complaints regarding this same issue on carcomplaints.com and aboutautomobile.com. I would hate to see a death result in this issue caused by fire due to hot oil.
Car has major oil leakage on my 300+ mile drive down to la from san jose. That morning, the car is dry and fine. The car has always been maintained by the dealer. There was no indication of oil loss. The oil light did not even go on. Luckily we took a pit stop at coalinga, where we notice burning smell and smoke was every where (after the car was parked). When I checked the oil level, there was no oil left as indicated on the dipstick. The car was towed to the nearest Toyota, which did not believe that there's a pending tsb on this line, so they charged us for replacing it. Up until now, I'm afraid to take the car for long distance drive. I don't know if any damage to the engine was done due to lack of oil. After I got home, I contacted local dealer, but they refuse to look at it, unless I put out money for the diagnostic. My complaint and concern is that the part that got replaced is the same part that failed. Since this is a known issue, I'm afraid this problem will repeat again in about another 44000 miles, which the car is already out of warranty. Also, the oil light never came on, so it proves very dangerous while driving on the long trip.
Experienced a leak in the "vvti" oil line to the rear cylinder bank in this transverse mounted V6 engine at 78,000 miles. Fortunately, this was discovered before engine failure or damage to surrounding equipment occurred. Searching online, have found others were not so fortunate. This problem is a safety concern because it could lead to sudden engine failure as well as the potential for engine fire as oil leaks on hot parts. The repair cost was $202 for labor. Toyota paid for parts needed for the repair as part of a customer satisfaction response after a complaint was made. There should be a recall to replace this part, as my research online reveals it to be occurring to many people when their cars are over 70,000 miles and therefore out of the normal warranty period. This is clearly a defect and not a normal wear item.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. On September 4, 2009, he stated that there was a return fuel line in the fuel pump and was at risk of causing a fire if the line were to break. He also observed that there was an oil leak on the floor and confirmed that there was no oil on the dipstick and a large amount of oil leaked onto the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that they would repair the vehicle per the extended warranty and that there were no related recalls. The part necessary to repair the vehicle is on back order. The contact is concerned about the safety risk and the possibility that a fire could have occurred. The failure and current mileages were 77000.
For some time - several weeks - I had noticed an odor of burning oil in the passenger compartment of my 2006 Toyota Avalon. I was exiting the interstate and at the stoplight noticed a great amount of smoke pouring from the engine compartment. I was, fortunately, within a mile of the dealership from which I had purchased the car and drove it into their service bay. When I got out of the car I noticed that a great amount of oil was pouring out onto the floor of the service bay. The service man came over and I began to explain the circumstances of the oil leak. They immediately told me what it was - an rubber oil line. They kept the car for three days and returned it "repaired". now after a couple of months I again notice the same smell in the passenger compartment and intend to take it as soon as I can back to the dealer. Question: Why isn't Toyota putting out a recall on this particular year and model of the Toyota? I see that there are many similar complaints being made.
I have a 2006 Toyota Avalon, and recently I realized that the engine was leaking oil quite profusely. I took it right into the dealership and they stating that the vvt (variable valve timing) injection hose was broken. They replaced my hose as I have the platinum care protection plan through Toyota. My concern is it seems like this has happened to other who own 2006 Avalons. If the part is faulty why don't they recall the cars and replace the faulty parts.
After arriving home, I pulled into garage and noticed an odor of burning oil. Upon exiting the car, I saw a trail of oil from the back of the car up my driveway, extending up to the street. Looking under the car, I noticed oil dripping from the engine area. I found that I lost all engine oil without any warning lights or sounds advising me of the problem. Fortunately the loss of oil only occurred in my driveway and garage area. My car had to be towed to dealer. They installed several gaskets, a timing chain cover, a fipg oil pan, a belt (V-ribbed), non-chlor brake C, a replaceable eleme, another gasket, a pipe sub-assy, 0I. Since oil was sprayed in engine area, they had to wash engine off. Upon researching this oil loss problem, I find many other 2006 Toyota Avalons have experienced exactly the same thing. If I had been driving on the interstate, I am sure my engine would have quit on me with no warning and could have resulted in a bad accident not to mention the destruction of the engine itself.
Oil gushed from engine, leaving a trail from my house to my neighbor's where he noticed the oil on the highway (enough to remain there for two weeks). This was a bulletin, not a recall via Toyota. Needless to say I had never heard of the possibility of losing all of the oil. The service department had my car for approximately 4 days and fixed the problem. If I had been speeding down the interstate, the engine could have locked up at a high rate of speed and caused other problems. I'm uncertain as to which bulletin it was, I just lost all of my oil in a matter of seconds!!!!!
My wife was driving down the freeway and notices a cloud of smoke trailing from the rear of our 2006 Toyota Avalon. When she arrives at work she sees oil pouring onto the parking lot surface. There was no warning light or dashboard notice signaling oil pressure loss. We had the vehicle towed to a repair shop where they noted that a rubber hose that presumably circulates engine oil had ruptured. The repair was done that day with parts readily available from the local dealer. When the repair man was conversing with the Toyota service manager (a friend), the service manager had never heard of the problem then later changed his story. Rather suspicious.
A few months ago I brought my car in to Toyota on nicholasville with an "oil problem". it had been slowly leaking oil. No oil lights had come on. Then while driving down the road I saw smoke and smelled oil. The vvti oil line was leaking and had sort of "blown up" all over my engine. Needless to say, I was very upset. I went directly to the dealer. It was repaired quickly and I paid almost $500 for the repair! I then researched on-line and became aware the vvti oil line leak was a problem faced my many Avalon owners. Afterwards I remembered I had purchased "Toyota extra care" and free scheduled maintenance. I suppose I should probably file a claim with Toyota for reimbursement; but I guess that is another issue! I now remember to tell my service tech before each repair! now, a few months later, I have the same issue all over again. This time I am extremely upset. I called Toyota on nicholasville and was told to bring my car to the dealership right away and they would work me in that afternoon. I did. I knew the problem was the same issue with the vvti line, and realized it would not be repaired that same day. After waiting about two hours, the tech came and spoke with me. He told me it was, once again, a problem with the vvti oil line. Although Toyota did have a repair part available, it was a back-ordered part. Dave indicated many people had been waiting for this part and it would probably take as long as 4-8 weeks to get my car repaired. I really thought he was kidding. Finally, he convinced me he was not! I did receive my car back in a week. So far so good. Seems to me this should be a "recall" from Toyota. I wish I understood why it was not.
Car completely ran out of oil with no warning lights ever illuminating. The car was not drivable and had to be towed. Found out vvti line had tsb (although I had been in the dealership service dept for oil change the month before) the part was being redesigned by Toyota and was backordered. Six weeks later ( I still do not have my car), Toyota replaced the part and refuses to test the engine for damage caused as a result of car running completely out of oil. Their customer service department assigned us a case number but then no one ever called us back, meanwhile I do not want to accept my car as I feel it is potentially unsafe due the obvious engine damage that had to have occurred since the engine was banging and knocking before I realized what was going on. Toyota refuses to issue recall and has failed at warning consumers and the dealers have failed at doing due diligence in checking the tsb issues when people are in their shops. If I had known this was a potential issue, the engine damage could have been prevented.
1. without warning, the engine started making whirring noises when in motion and the engine check light illuminated (unbeknownst to me, it was dropping oil. 2. after it was first repaired under warranty, it occurred again. 3. dealer reported failure of the vvt-I pipe, replacing the pipe, timing chain cover, gaskets, camshaft gear assembly, cylinder head gasket, camshaft bearing, camshaft gear assembly, additional gaskets and bolts.
Vvt oil line failure-as I was driving, I heard a "whirring" noise for 1-2 minutes. Then it stopped, and the oil light flashed on and off. I immediately pulled over and checked under the hood, and oil was sprayed all over the engine compartment and there was no oil level indicated on the dipstick. While waiting for a tow truck, a significant amount of the remaining oil drained out under the car. The Toyota dealer indicated they had 3 other Avalons with the same problem, and parts were backordered. No repair date was promised. From on-line message boards, this is a widespread problem with the 05-06 Avalon. Toyota is apparently well aware of this potentially dangerous problem, but has done nothing to proactive repair/replace the line. There is no warning of the problem until it happens, and it may leave the driver and occupants of the car in a potentially dangerous situation.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While driving 70 mph, the contact heard a strange noise coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. She arrived at her residence and noticed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that an oil hose had burst. The failure was repaired under warranty. Although the part was available at that time, the contact discovered several complaints regarding this component not being repaired due to the part being on backorder. The failure and current mileages were 70,788. 4/01/09 updated 04/09/09.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bethel, CT, USA