2000 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 173 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (17% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 173 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2025
“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 !”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2022
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2018
“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 report · Wheels · Jul 2018
“Two large bulges on inside sidewall. Stuck out approximately 3/4 of an inch with the surface area of a sliver dollar. Felt increasingly like unbalanced tire in rear. Never blew. Did not hit any potholes or roadway debris before occurrence. I have retained the tire.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2016
“Suspension: makes strange sounds - like parts are grinding against each other especially when backing up. Steering - makes unusual sounds - as if parts are rubbing against each other.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2016
“Kelly tire immediate and unexplained sidewall tire failure - traveling 65mph on I-95 near richmond, virginia at night (9pm). No injury nor damage. Passenger-side rear tire. No debris-on-road impacted. Damage so severe to tire - model is unknown, but chose kelly charger model to continue form submission. Hopefully, tire id# will identify model. No loss of control - continued to shoulder and replaced tire with spare.”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota avalon. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard an abnormal noise. Upon inspection, the contact noticed the rear window of the vehicle had shattered independently. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the rear window had shattered and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,632.”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2015
“My father was driving down the street in a residential subdivision in my 2000 toyota avalon when the car began to suddenly accelerate on its own. My father lost control as he was unable to brake. He ended up side swiping a tree then hitting a parked car head on pushing it onto someones front lawn. Luckily he was able to stop the car by putting it in neutral and turning the ignition off. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 43 of these complaints and injuries in 30 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA has 173 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Toyota Avalon. The most complained-about area is steering (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Avalon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Toyota Avalon have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:rear. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.