Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension › Rear
NHTSA recall 00V154000 · Jun 5, 2000 · 541 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.
Risk: AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS COULD FAIL OR BREAK.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2000 Toyota Avalon 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Avalon
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Steering Hydraulic power assist system; Steering wheel/handle bar
34
10
0
3
109,450 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
27
17
0
18
74,150 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
20
12
0
8
57,918 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
19
2
0
0
78,248 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
18
4
0
2
14,254 mi
Visibility Windshield; Power window devices and controls
17
0
0
2
67,000 mi
Suspension Front; Rear
13
1
0
0
46,838 mi
Electrical system Ignition; Horn
11
0
1
0
111,014 mi
Unknown or other
10
0
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
8
2
0
0
—
Tires Sidewall; Tread/belt
8
0
1
0
115,000 mi
Service brakes
5
1
0
1
91,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 1, 2025 · 278,000 milesSuspension The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the brake line was leaking brake fluid. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the subframe and rear axle were rusted. The contact had replaced the brakes. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 00V154000 (Suspension). The contact called the independent mechanic, who determined that a brake line replacement was needed. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 278,000.
Dec 9, 2022 · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags Hi was making a left turn when this guys ran the last and hit me on my passenger and wheel and this air bags never deployed !
Dec 23, 2021Steering Two times the power steering locked/hard to turn momentarily while driving and turning. Check power steering fluid full and no leak, power steering belt is good. Stop driving the car for now. First incident happened on Dec. 15 and the second last Dec. 23.
Oct 24, 2019 · 81,674 milesAir bags AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHING ON AND OFF WHETHER IN MOTION, TURNING OR STATIONARY.
Sep 17, 2019 · 38,350 miles · crashAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SPONTANEOUSLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SUBARU FORESTER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED TEAM TOYOTA OF GLEN MILLS (1050 BALTIMORE PIKE, GLEN MILLS, PA 19342, (484) 407-0835) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Oct 26, 2018 · 167,000 miles · crash · 1 injurySteering TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB, SPUN AROUND ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
Oct 4, 2018 · 160,000 milesSteering PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SHAKES TILL I REACH 45MPH IT STOPS
Jul 15, 2018 · 133,000 milesWheels LARGE BULGE ON TREAD SIDE OF TIRE - NO BLOWOUT. PROBABLY STEEL BELT SEPARATION. FELT LIKE UNBALANCED TIRE IN REAR. IMAGE ATTACHED. DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES. WAS THE SECOND TIRE OF ANOTHER COMPLAINT OF A SIMILAR TIRE FILED 8/6/2016.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP02004 · opened Apr 30, 2002 · closed Jun 20, 2002ENGINE SEIZURE
