2009 Toyota AVALON: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO EXERT MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CON…

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256495 at NHTSA ↗

MY 2009 TOYOTA AVALON WITH 15000 AIR CONDITIONER QUIT WORKING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA IN RALEIGH NC THE FIRST THING OUT OF THEIR MOUNT IS A ROCK MAY HAVE HIT THE CONDENSOR AND DAMAGED IT AND THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SURE ENOUGH, WHEN THEY CALLED BACK THEY STATED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. I LOOKED AT THE CONDENSOR BEFORE I LEFT THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. I BELIEVE THIS DEALERSHIP TO BE RUNNING A SCAM FOR DEFECTIVE CONDENSERS. …

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263997 at NHTSA ↗

PURCHASED 2009 AVALON IN FEB. 2009. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. AFTER BRAKING, THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD UNDER ITS OWN POWER. IT WAS NOT JUST ROLLING FORWARD, THERE WAS POWER. LUCKILY NO CAR WAS CLOSE. I PROCEEDED ON HOPING THIS WAS A ONE TIME INCIDENT. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME, I HAD BRAKED TO YIELD TO A CAR IN A PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES STOPPED THE CAR INITIALLY, THEN CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD AGAIN. I HAD TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A COLLISION. TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276479 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER PASSING A CAR AND SPEEDING UP FROM 90KM PER HOUR TO 120 KM I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE CAR CONTINUED ON IT'S OWN, 120,130, 140 AND TOPPING OUT AT 155KM WHERE AT THIS TIME I HAD ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND COULD ONLY SLOW THE CAR TO 120, WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE ( LITERALLY "STANDING" ON THE BRAKES) THE CAR SLOWED FROM 120 TO ABOUT 30 WHEREUPON MU WIFE SHUT THE CAR OFF. THE TIRES WERE POURING SMOKE OUT OF THEM AND IT TOOK US ABOUT A MILE TO STOP THE CAR. IT IS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON BRAND NEW. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER UNCONTROLLED ACCEL…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280698 at NHTSA ↗

GOING VERY SLOWLY AND HEADING INTO A CURB IN A PARKING LOT, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND INSTEAD THE CAR ACCELERATED AND STOPPED ONLY WHEN IT HIT A LIMB OF A LARGE BUSH. IT LEFT A DENT IN MY FRONT BUMPER. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONE TIME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,240 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285972 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. DURING BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE REAR-ENDED THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18000. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND WHEN SHE LOOKED TO HER LEFT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER STOPPED TO TURN AND THEY FAILED TO SIGNAL. WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UPDATED 02/03/10.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297342 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS BACKING UP INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR STARTED GOING REAL FAST AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE, IT WOULDN'T STOP AND THEN MY SHOE GOT CAUGHT. I RAN INTO A BLD., I TRIED TO MISS IT SO I HIT THE CORNER OF THE BLD. IT WAS A VERY HARD HIT. IT KNOCKED ME SILLY FOR A WHILE. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING WAS A RENTAL CAR WHICH WAS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN # FOR THIS WAS A RENTAL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10308116 at NHTSA ↗

BOUGHT AVALON FEB. 2009. WITHIN 1 MONTH CAR BEGAN CREEPING FORWARD AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. THE INCIDENT INVOLVING DAMAGE OCCURRED ON MAY 9, 2009. I STOPPED IN LINE AT THE BANK DRIVE THROUGH. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. I REACHED FOR SOMETHING IN MY PURSE, THE CAR BEGAN MOVING FORWARD. MY REACTION WAS TO PUMP THE BRAKES. NOTHING STOPPED THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. IT REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DAMAGE WAS INCURRED TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. $600 WAS PAID OUT BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I TOOK MY CAR INTO TOYOTA DEALER W…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310391 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: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. 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.