2012 Toyota Avalon Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUCK THEIR HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. THE POLICE WERE PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

5/28/2014

THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE REMOTE, SO I HAD TO USE THE KEY TO GET ACCESS, THEN I WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS AND TURN ON IGNITION.I TURNED IGNITION ON AND SAW DISPLAY FLASH VARIOUS ICONS AFTER CAR WAS STARTED. AS I WAS DRIVING THE DASH ICONS FLASHED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT STOP, SO I CONTINUED DRIVING. *TR

3/16/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SUDDEN BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER COVER, FRONT FENDER LINER AND THE ENGINE BOTTOM COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,847. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ

10/15/2013

THE TRUNK LID FALLS DOWN EVEN IF LIFTED TO HIGHEST POINT. LID IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY COUNTERBALANCED. IF ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE NOSE UP, THE LID WILL NOT OPEN. DEALER TELLS ME (ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS) THAT IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. YEAH, RIGHT, DESIGNED TO FALL ON MY HEAD. DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING SINCE NOTHING IS BROKEN. *TR

1/30/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SCOOTER, A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE DOOR AND A WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND IT WAS STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD BE SENT TO FURTHER ASSESS THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 900. *TR

5/2/2013

2ND COMPLAINT (FIRST COMPLAINT - #10522765) - ON JULY 2, 2013, AROUND 5:20 P.M., MY FOURTH INCIDENT OF BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AND APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKES FAILED AND ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RACING. I CRASHED INTO A THE REAR OF A SEDAN WHICH WAS STOPPED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CARS TO A DEVELOPMENT TO EXCHANGE INSURANCE INFORMATION. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRADE-IN SINCE IT WAS UNRELIABLE FOR DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. AN EARLIER POTENTIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAS BRAKING AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE INDIVIDUALS WERE CROSSING THE STREET ON WHICH I WAS TURNING INTO AND THE BRAKES SEEMED TO NOT ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE CAR, BARELY. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF QUALITY IN THE TOYOTA AVALON. I AM ALSO DISAPPOINTED IN THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER'S FOCUS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT EXAMINING COMPUTER SYSTEMS' ENGINE CONTROLS AND SPEED CONTROLS. *TR

7/2/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED THE SUB-WOOFER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 5/19/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUB WOOFER EXPERIENCED A FIRE BY A FAULTY WIRE. UPDATED 07/1/2015 *JS

4/15/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

6/23/2015

PURCHASED USED CERTIFIED-USED AVALON WITH 28.3K MILES ON JUNE 8. ON JUNE 15, THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED FROM PARKING LOT TO STOP SIGN. APPLIED BRAKES AND NO RESPONSE. AVALON SPED UP AND HAD TO TURN THE CAR TO AVOID ACCIDENT. APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. CONTINUED HOME AND NO PROBLEMS. ON JUNE 16, APPROACHING STOP SIGN FROM DOWNWARD HILL AND APPLIED BRAKES AND NO RESPONSE. AVALON SPED UP AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE TURN WITH BEING HIT BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND ATTRIBUTED TO USER ERROR. ON JUNE 30, APPROACHING A 4 WAY STOP, WAS ABLE TO STOP AND WAIT FOR CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO GO. WHEN I APPLY GAS TO MOVE UP TO THE STOP AREA, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND I CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD. I STEERED OUT OF THE WAY OF A PERSON MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND CLEARED THE STOP SIGN. AFTER 60 FEET, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY WORKED. WAS VERY UPSET THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED FOR THE THIRD TIME AND KNEW THAT FIRST 2 INCIDENTS WERE NOT USER ERROR. ON JULY 1, RETURNED TO SERVICING DEALER WHO PERFORMED BRAKE SYSTEM HEALTH CHECK AND ATTEMPTED TO DUPLICATE WHAT I EXPERIENCED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ALL OF THEIR TESTS SHOWED NORMAL OPERATIONS. AVALON IS UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. REMAIN CONCERN THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND SOMETHING WORST MAY OCCURRED. CONSIDERING MY OPTIONS. *TR

7/1/2013

2ND COMPLAINT (FIRST COMPLAINT - #10522765) - ON JULY 2, 2013, AROUND 5:20 P.M., MY FOURTH INCIDENT OF BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AND APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKES FAILED AND ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RACING. I CRASHED INTO A THE REAR OF A SEDAN WHICH WAS STOPPED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CARS TO A DEVELOPMENT TO EXCHANGE INSURANCE INFORMATION. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRADE-IN SINCE IT WAS UNRELIABLE FOR DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. AN EARLIER POTENTIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAS BRAKING AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE INDIVIDUALS WERE CROSSING THE STREET ON WHICH I WAS TURNING INTO AND THE BRAKES SEEMED TO NOT ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE CAR, BARELY. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF QUALITY IN THE TOYOTA AVALON. I AM ALSO DISAPPOINTED IN THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER'S FOCUS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT EXAMINING COMPUTER SYSTEMS' ENGINE CONTROLS AND SPEED CONTROLS. *TR

7/2/2013

REAR DECK SUNSCREEN ACTIVATES AND COMES UP WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTIVATING IT. AND IT WILL NOT GO BACK DOWN WITHOUT MANUAL ASSISTANCE. WITH ASSISTANCE WHEN IT DOES GO DOWN THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THEN IT WILL COME BACK UP. TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. (DEALER QUOTED $1674.86) OR PULL THE FUSE AND DEACTIVATE THE REAR SUNSCREEN. SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT SUNSCREEN UP AT NIGHT OR DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER RESTRICTS REAR VISION AND DRIVER CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS HE HAPPENS TO KNOW WHICH FUSE TO PULL AND WHERE IT IS LOCATED. WHEN ASKED WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT CORRECTED THIS ISSUE, DEALER SPECULATED THAT SINCE THIS IS AN AVALON ONLY PROBLEM THAT THE NUMBERS OF FAILURES ARE LIKELY SMALL. MY RESPONSE WAS, THAT MAY BE TRUE BUT BY RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST THE MID 1990'S UNTIL AT LEAST 2013 AND PROBABLY BEYOND AND TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED OR FIXED THE PROBLEM SO FAR AS I CAN TELL. REGARDS OUR SPECIFIC CAR A 2012 AVALON, IT IS A FEATURE ALMOST NEVER USED AND AS OF THIS DATE THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 18000 MILES ON IT. MILEAGE AND AGE SEEMS NOT TO BE A FACTOR IN THE FAILURES. IT SEEMS MORE LIKELY A POOR DESIGN OF THE FEATURE ITSELF. AS FAR AS WHEN IT HAPPENS AND WHERE, IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME THE CAR IS RUNNING, IN THE DRIVEWAY OR WHILE DRIVING..

11/3/2017

REAR SUNSCREEN REMAINS IN UP POSITION, WHEN LOWERED IN REVERSE, IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. HAVING TO DRIVE AT NIGHT PRESENTS A PROBLEM WITH VISIBILITY WHEN THE SUNSCREEN REMAINS IN THE UP POSITION.

4/28/2020

THE SUBWOOFER RECALL IS BOGUS. WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE IS THAT THEY PUT A PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE SUBWOOFER TO PREVENT WIRES FROM TOUCHING THE CHASSIS; THEY INSTEAD REPLACE THE JBL AMPLIFIER. THE WORK DRASTICALLY ALTERS THE SOUND. I NO LONGER HAVE A PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM; THE NEW AMP CLEARLY DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME WATTAGE AS THE ORIGINAL ONE. LUSTINE TOYOTA AND TOYOTA CORPORATE ARE COPPING OUT AND WON'T FIX IT. THE THING HAS EVEN CUT OUT TWICE. I'M BEYOND PISSED. THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE BEST PART OF THE CAR.

9/15/2015

THE REAR WINDOW SUN SHADE SCREEN DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. STICKS IN UP POSITION BLOCKING SITE OUT REAR WINDOW. WITH SCREEN DOWN WHILE CRANKING CAR, PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE CAUSES A LOUD NOISE OF GEARS STRIPPING. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM ON ALL TOYOTA PRODUCTS THAT HAVE THIS SCREEN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LINKS ONLINE. HTTPS://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/18198/TOYOTA/AVALON/TOYOTA-AVALON-REAR-SUNSCREEN-FAILURE HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/156-AVALON-3RD-GENERATION-2005-2012/336998-2005-AVALON-LIMITED-REAR-SUN-SHADE-PROBLEM-HELP.HTML HTTP://WWW.JUSTANSWER.COM/TOYOTA/8IYJH-TOYOTA-AVALON-FUSE-REAR-WINDOW-SHADE.HTML HTTP://WWW.REVBASE.COM/BBBMOTOR/TSB/DOWNLOADPDF?ID=187885 HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/156-AVALON-3RD-GENERATION-2005-2012/350934-REAR-WINDOW-SUNSHADE-BUZZING.HTML

5/25/2017

I PURCHASED THE AVALON AT THE END OF THE 2012 YEAR. IT NOW HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS GARAGED OUTSIDE IN MASSACHUSETTS. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2012 (MONTH AFTER PURCHASE) AND YESTERDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKING NOISE THAT HAPPENS DURING COLD WEATHER (32 TO -10 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT). BOTH TIMES THE MECHANICS SAY THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, NOTHING IS LOSE WITH THE SUSPENSION, AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ABOUT IT. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE NOISE IS WHEN GOING OVER POT HOLES IN COLD WEATHER, I HEAR A CLUNK FROM REAR SUSPENSION (BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE) LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE TRUNK (TRUNK WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY YESTERDAY). THE SOUND IS NOT TOO LOUD, BUT AUDIBLE ENOUGH TO NOTICE. THE REAR STRUTS PERFORM WELL, AND THE CAR DOES NOT BOTTOM OUT. AS SOON AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP, THE NOISE GOES AWAY. IT IS VERY REALLY ANNOYING TO HEAR THIS CLUNK AND THE DEALERSHIP NOT BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR

1/28/2014

THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE REMOTE, SO I HAD TO USE THE KEY TO GET ACCESS, THEN I WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS AND TURN ON IGNITION.I TURNED IGNITION ON AND SAW DISPLAY FLASH VARIOUS ICONS AFTER CAR WAS STARTED. AS I WAS DRIVING THE DASH ICONS FLASHED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT STOP, SO I CONTINUED DRIVING. *TR

3/16/2015

THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT HEADREST HAS BECOME A LIABILITY THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT HEADRESTS ARE SET AT SUCH AN ANGLE THAT IF I SIT CORRECTLY IN THE SEAT (BACK/SHOULDERS AGAINST THE SEAT BACK) MY HEAD IS POSITIONED SO THAT MY EYES ARE AIMED AT THE FLOOR AND NOT AT THE ROAD. I'VE ADJUSTED THE HEIGHT OF THE HEADREST TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THIS, BUT NO CORRECTION CAN BE MADE. THE RESULT IS PAIN IN MY NECK AND BACK WHILE DRIVING. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE ANGLE AND ALLEVIATE THE PAIN FELT WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER, I HAVE REMOVED THE HEADREST, TURNED IT BACKWARD, AND REINSTALLED IT. DOING THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN DRIVE FOR ANY DISTANCE AND NOT HAVE PAIN. THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT HEADREST IS A LIABILITY.

10/5/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND CARPET. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MOLD ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEDOM TOYOTA OF HARRISBURG (6060 ALLENTOWN BLVD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL IN THE SUN ROOF WAS FAULTY AND CONFIRMED THE ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

7/19/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN. THE MOTOR WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD TURN OFF THE ENGINE, IT WOULD SOMETIMES RESTART ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT CALLED BOWLING GREEN TOYOTA (2398 SCOTTSVILLE RD, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104, (270) 843-4321) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW REAR SHADE MOTOR WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

6/19/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN AN 18 WHEELER COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SPINAL INJURIES AND BRUISES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN 18 WHEELER STROKE THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE REAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V569000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOTALED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

3/6/2020

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while it was hot outside, or whenever there was direct sunlight on the dashboard, the dashboard would become very sticky. The contact stated that the glare on the windshield from the reflection of the dashboard made it very difficult to see out the windshield. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer, and manufacturer about the failure, and was informed that previously there was a recall for the failure however, the recall had expired. The contact contacted the NHTSA after researching the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

4/14/2022

While entering the highway on ramp, as I accelerated and turned on the left turn signal, the engine stopped. The steering became very hard. I stopped, put the transmission in park and started the engine, with no problems. This is the second time in3 months this has happened when turning to the left, and activating the turn signal. In both cases, the auto headlight dimming warning lite came on. The car is well maintained, and has never been damaged in any way. The weather was clear.

5/5/2023