2008 Toyota AVALON: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTIVE HEAD REST SAFETY SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NEVER A HEAD REST SAFETY SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DOCUMENTATION, ALL 2008 TOYOTAS SHOULD HAVE THE FEATURE INSTALLED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ARM, NECK, AND BACK. AS OF NOVEMBER 19, 2007, THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT RETU…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209360 at NHTSA ↗

I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH HAS THE PUSH BUTTON START IN LIEU OF A KEY. WHEN STOPPING ON ANY INCLINE I DISCOVERED THAT UNLIKE THE TRADITIONAL KEY USED FOR THE IGNITION THAT IT IS POSSIBILE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT PUTTING IT INTO PARK. THE KEY SYSTEM FORCES YOU TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IN ORDER TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION.. THE NEW ONE DOES NOT. I WAS DISTRACTED BY MY WIFE AND A NEW PUPPY WHICH WAS ABOUT TO VOMIT AND WANTED OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN I STOPPED I FAILED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND WHILE WE OPENED THE DOORS THE CAR STARTED…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213615 at NHTSA ↗

MY WIFE WAS TURNING OFF SUNRISE HIGHWAY (WESTBOUND) ONTO THE WELLWOOD AVE RAMP. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV VERY HIGH. SHE TRY TO STOP, USING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE THEN PUT IT INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WHILE STOPPED ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER IN THE REAR. THE MAIN PROBLEM HERE IS WHY DID THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE START TO REV UP. WHEN I GOT TO THE SCENE THERE WAS A POLICE OFFICE THERE. BOTH HE AND I CHECKED THE CAR, I GOT IN, HE OUTSIDE, AND WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE TACH SHOW ~950RPM. I LO…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219777 at NHTSA ↗

PURCHASED A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED. DISCOVERED THIS CAR'S ENGINE CAN BE SHUT OFF WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK ALLOWING THE CAR TO ROLL FREELY. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD . THIS PROBLEM IS COMPOUNDED NOW WITH THE NEW PUSH BUTTON ON/OFF SWITCH USED TO CONTROL THE MOTOR. I FOUND THIS TO BE THE CASE WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE START/STOP ENGINE SWITCH WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK STOPPING THE ENGINE. THE CAR STARTED TO FREE ROLL IN THE GARAGE. THIS IS COMPOUNDED BY THE POOR STEERING AND BRAKING ACTION RESPONSE …

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221575 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S RPMS RADICALLY INCREASED AND A LOUD REVVING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FAILURE IS MORE NOTICEABLE AFTER ACCELERATING FROM AN IDLE POSITION. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THERE WAS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN THE SPEED AND THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Owner-reported narrative. 19 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226676 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN CAR IS IN NEUTRAL AND MOVING FORWARD YOU CAN ACCIDENTALLY MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER TO REVERSE , WITHOUT STOPPING THE CAR FIRST OR APPLYING THE BRAKES . *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241199 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MAXIMUM FORCE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, BUT IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO 70 MPH. HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN DECELERATING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAI…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242678 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ALIGNED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MOTORIZED HEADLIGHT SELF-LEVELING ADJUSTER FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT MOTOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE OPTICAL EQUIPMENT TO PROPERLY CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,508.

Owner-reported narrative. 12,508 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242885 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.