2001 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 134 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (15% of complaints).
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 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact stated that the son owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. While the son was driving approximately 5 mph, a second vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. The contact indicated that after the crash the air bag light activated and remained illuminated. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed from the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“this car involve accident AIR BAG none deploy , right side , rear side, left side were damage serious but AIR BAG none deploy , and now the light AIRBAG to be open on the screen I petition into OFFICE to request for our car to be recall AIRBAG , this is car run was 92K Mile this Air Bag none open any chair or It can open any time itself”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while her son was driving at low speeds in a parking area, he was involved in a collision with the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 92,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have replaced o2 sensors twice to get rid of the check engine light for codes that have popped you p1135 & p1155. Took car to two different mechanics and toyota dealership and no one could figure out why the light is still on. All sensors have been replaced with denso parts. This seems like a recall if not even the toyota dealer could fix the problem. There are many people having the same issue with toyota's. I need my car to pass a smog and it could not because of this issue. Car only has 62,000 miles and runs great.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2020
“Tl* the contact owned a 2001 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while her brother was stopped at a sign, a vehicle crashed into another vehicle causing that vehicle to crash into the contact's vehicle from the rear. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the driver sustained cracked ribs, neck and back injuries and the driver in one of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries that needed medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“We went to get our truck inspected at an independent garage and he said he couldn't inspect it because the frame was to rusted. We contacted our toyota dealer over the telephone and explained to them what happened and said it was under recall which we had just found out. They then told us their is nothing they could do. We told them we would have addressed this situation earlier if we would have gotten notification that they were being recalled now our truck is not safe to drive due to the rusted frame and a toyota dealer never even looked at our vehicle”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“On 4/21/14, I purchased 2 crosswind tires(20560r16) the seller gave me, in writing, tread wear warranty of 50,000 miles. However, I have only driven approx. 19,000 miles and 90% of treads are gone. I have contacted the seller, he told me to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer refused to honor their warranty. I even contacted my credit card co. To help, but they refused it too. I paid $129.00 plus $40.00 for installation. Please help me get my money back.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2017
“On 4/21/14, I purchased 2 crosswind tires. The seller gave me, in writing, tread wear warranty of 50,000 miles. However, I have only driven approx. 19,000 miles and 90% of treads are gone. I have contacted the seller, he told me to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer refused to honor their warranty. I even contacted my credit card co. To help, but they refused it too. It is dangerous to drive on these tires. I paid $129.00 plus $40.00 for installation. Please help me get my money back.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owned a 2001 toyota avalon. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment after the vehicle rolled over three times. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises and cuts to the body, injuries to the neck, both knees, and the left ankle. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota avalon. The contact stated that the check engine and catalytic converter warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 189,047.”Owner report · Engine · May 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 34 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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 2001 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 2001 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA has 134 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Toyota Avalon. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Avalon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Toyota Avalon have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members. 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.