2002 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 116 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (28% 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 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002 model is affected and should be recalled for the same issue before it kills someone. Also the shifter will not not go into drive without first pushing it forward and backwards several times to engage and the green D light on the dashboard will not show up.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2025
“Headlights failed to operate correctly, resulting in taking the car to fix problem , service advisor told me that this veh vin number shows this car should not havve automatly controled headlights, the car is being serviced at cedar rapids toyota , steve lemke is the servvice advisior”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2021
“The 2003-2004 model avalon's have a recall for the airbags when exposed to certain frequencies and noises. My 2002 avalon has the same issue and toyota needs to include this model year as well. I've had no problems out of this car ever, but as soon as it hit 140,000 miles the air bags light came on. After doing a little research I seen that others were having the same issue. Please include this model year in the recall because this car is very dependable and I've had no issues until now.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was in a car accident where I lost control of the vehicle due to slippery roads. I was exiting i5 on to highway 7 in tacoma washington. The vehicle wouldn't stop, slid and hit a cement wall on highway 7. Upon impact I hit my head on windshield and none of the air bags came out upon impact. I received injuries due to this disorder.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“While at the store I found I can turn the car off and remove the key and get ou while the car is still in gear. If you are not paying attention the vehicle can roll away, causing personal and property damage and possible loss of life.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2019
“I was driving on a highway when the car accelerated by itself, brakes did not work. The car put itself in the middle of two lanes, then accelerated turn half ,I think, crashed (the front of the car)with a small hill some how did not stop and ended up somehow turning back and crashed again this time the back of the car crashed against the hill and stopped. The car suffered several breaks in and a transmision repair. This is my third toyota. It was perfect before the incident. It was very scary. Just a few min before the crash I was passing a toll at about 28 mph. After passing the tool I was faster than that but I do not like to speed.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2019
“When turning steering wheel hard to turn like it get stuck can turn the steering wheel.I was driving a city street when I notice a few days ago. Just seeing the recall notice.how long does the consumer have to get assistance with recall.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2017
“I was leaving parking lot @ 1-2 mph turning right onto w tuolumne rd in turlock ca. Suddenly car took off like a jet, brakes didn't depress, hit an island then slammed into tree. I am injured ans car totaled. Vehicle speed control acceleration pedal problem.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota avalon. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose electrical wire. The failure was not repaired. Months later, the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No further information regarding the crash was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 300,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on five separate occasions where the fuel cap and fuel line hose were replaced at different times. The failure recurred two days after each repair was performed. Most recent, the dealer diagnosed that the fuel tank would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 32 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 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 2002 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Toyota Avalon. The most complained-about area is air bags (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Avalon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Toyota Avalon have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning steering. 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.