2007 Toyota AVALON: complaints, problems and recalls

THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING FEATURE THAT IS LINKED TO THE SHIFT. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN "PARK, " ALL 4 DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK. THE ROUTINE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL TO "CANCEL" THIS FEATURE DOES NOT WORK. I TRIED IT OVER 20 TIMES, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS SHOP - IT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO STOP THE AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS A THREAT TO SAFETY IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, IN MANY KINDS OF LOCATIONS. THE MOTORIST CANNOT CHOOSE WHETHER TO UNLOCK HIS/HER DOORS, EV…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10176705 at NHTSA ↗

I CAN'T GET ANY INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE SMART KEY. THE OWNER'S MANUAL OF MY 2007 TOYOTA AVALON WARNS THAT PERSONS WITH IMPLANTED PACEMAKERS OR DEFIBRILLATOR SHOULD NOT GO NEAR THE ANTENNAE ON THE SMART KEY SYSTEM. MY 91-YEAR-OLD DAD HAS AN IMPLANTED DEFIBRILLATOR. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET IN, START THE CAR, AND DISABLE THE SMART KEY SO HE CAN THEN APPROACH THE CAR AND GET IN? WHAT IS THE RADIO FREQUENCY AND EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER OF THE SYSTEM SO I CAN PASS THE INFORMATION ALONG TO HIS CARDIOLOGIST? WHAT IS THE LIABILITY IF …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10176820 at NHTSA ↗

100% OF NIGHT TIME DRIVING ESPECIALLY ON COUNTRY ROADS THAT ARE HILLY WE LOSE EFFECTIVE HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE (WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE HEADLIGHTS ONLY PROJECT ABOUT 40 TO 50 FEET). THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE TYPICAL OF THE AVALON LIMITED FROM OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT SINCE GOING 55 MPH WE ARE COVERING 80 PLUS FEET PER SECOND. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10178555 at NHTSA ↗

NOV 23, 2006: IN REPOSITIONING MY 2007 AVALON XLS IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY SISTER'S HOUSE, I SLOWLY PULLED FORWARD TO RE-PARK AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND THE ACCELERATOR IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HIGH RPMS - I HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO KEEP FROM HITTING MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND HIS HOUSE. I WAS BRAKING - AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. ON DEC 23, 2006 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED TWO BLOCKS IN A ROW IN OUR CONGESTED DOWNTOWN AREA. THE 1ST TIME, I WAS STOPPING VERY SLOWLY; THE SECOND TIME I WAS BRAKING TO WAIT FOR A PARKING SPACE. THE 1ST TIME I TRIED CHAN…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,884 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181756 at NHTSA ↗

ON 1-9-07 HIT A POT HOLE IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, HAD TO REPLACE TIRE. ON 1-10-07 PICK UP A PIECE OF METAL ON INTERSTATE 77 AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. TORE UP REAR LEFT TIRE CASING, MICHELIN TIRE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181772 at NHTSA ↗

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL OF THE CAR READ- CAUTION PEOPLE WITH AN IMPLANTED CARDIAC PACEMAKER OR DEFIBRILLATOR SHOULD KEEP AWAY FROM THE SMART KEY SYSTEM BECAUSE THE RADIO WAVES MAY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF SUCH DEVICES. THE CONTACTS FATHER HAD ONE. HE CONTACTED TOYOTA, AND GOT TECHNICAL DETAILS ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE SYSTEM. HE SENT THE INFORMATION TO HIS CARDIOLOGIST, WHO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFIBRILLATOR, AND HE WAS ADVISED NOT TO LET HIS FATHER WITHIN 18 INCHES OF THE CAR. THE CONT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10185114 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA AVALON. THE VEHICLE'S PUSH BUTTON STARTER WILL NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PUSH STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE DAY AFTER THE PUSH BUTTON STARTER WAS REPROGRAMMED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. DURING A SECOND ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE STARTER WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 200. *AK UPDATE 04/19/07 *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186373 at NHTSA ↗

WE HAD A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR CONDUCTING A CLASS USING THE 2007 AVALON. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS DRIVING AND ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND THE ACCELERATORS STUCK AND THE CAR REACHED 8000+ RPMS THE INSTRUCTOR HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF, USING THE PUSH BUTTON START. IT FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER NUMEROUS TRIES ON THE PUSH BUTTON. ONCE THE MOTOR TURNED OFF THE ACCELERATOR THEN CAME UP SLOWLY BY ITS SELF. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WERE TOLD IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FL…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,940 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188142 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-10-05 (October 5, 2009)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.

Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.