2000 Toyota AVALON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
173 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
83,837 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 82 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 173 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 34 | 19.7% |
| Braking behavior | 32 | 18.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 27 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 12 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Suspension | 7 |
Steering: 27; Vehicle Speed Control: 19; Air Bags: 14; Visibility:Windshield: 12; Air Bags:Frontal: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Suspension: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 22 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 91 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 29; 2001: 17; 2002: 18; 2003: 17; 2004: 4; 2005: 5; 2006: 8; 2007: 8; 2008: 2; 2009: 6; 2010: 23; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 8; 2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004362 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST 99% OF THE BRAKES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005687 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
CHANGED ENGINE OIL AS DIRECTED BY TOYOTA DEALER ON MY NEW 2000 TOYOTA AVALON (EVERY 3,000 MILES). WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM EXHAUST IN LATE 2001. TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT. WAS ACCUSED OF NOT KEEPING UP ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES) ON THE VEHICLE, AS SLUDGE HAD BUILT UP UNDER VALVE COVER AND IN ENGINE. WAS TOTALLY LIVID AT THIS UNTRUE ACCUSATION. WAS TOLD I NEEDED $4,000 TO REPAIR. I HAD TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN ON A NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE -- STARTING AT $4,000 IN THE RED. FOR EXAMPLE, NEW VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY $26,000…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006295 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
NO DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006485 · 2001-12-22 (December 22, 2001)
FRONT END "BOTTOMS OUT" AND HITS THE FRONT TIRES WHEN EXITING AND /OR ENTERING INCLINES TO STRIP MALLS, ETC. AND V DITCHES ON PUBLIC STREETS WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 25 MPH. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND DAMAGE TO TIRES WHEN GOING AT HIGHER SPEEDS.*** DIMS11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***755954. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006485 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008985 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THE WINDOWS WERE BLOTCHED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009774 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 65 MPH. DEALER TEST DROVE VEHICLE FOR 125 MILES HOWEVER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG THE VEHICLE. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011498 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011499 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011499 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V154000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2000-06-05 (June 5, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.
Consequence: AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS COULD FAIL OR BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V345000 · Steering
Reported: 2010-07-29 (July 29, 2010)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗