2014 Toyota Avalon Owner Complaints

WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE LANE IN FRONT OF US FOR AT LEAST 100-150 FEET, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM RANDOMLY ENGAGED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE VERY HARD, WHICH CAUSED US TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY (LOSING 20-30 MPH IN A SHORT DISTANCE). THE WARNING BEEPS THAT ARE NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH RAPIDLY APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE/BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ALSO WERE SOUNDING, AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE SEATBELTS ON BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS LOCKED AND DREW US FORCEFULLY DOWN AND BACKWARDS INTO THE SEATS. THIS LAST APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS, AT WHICH TIME THE BEEPING STOPPED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKING STOPPED AND THE SEATBELTS LOOSENED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN STEERING INPUT THROUGHOUT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED DRIVING NORMALLY AFTERWARD. AT NO TIME DURING THIS EVENT WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE, ANIMAL OR BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO NEAR-COLLISIONS THAT WOULD OR SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE.

8/30/2015

THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE AVALON WHILE DRIVING UP AN AIRPORT RAMP. MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE CAR INITIATED A HARD BRAKING WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT TIGHTENING. THE CAR DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY WHICH WAS FORTUNATE AS THERE WAS A CAR BEHIND ME. IT HAPPENED ON 10/1/15. IN REVIEWING POTENTIAL RECALLS TODAY BASED ON MY VIN, I NOTED A RECALL FOR THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM. I AM SCHEDULED 12/3/15 TO HAVE THE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AS AN INTERIM REMEDY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

12/2/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/15/16*LJ *TR

1/4/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

1/5/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION CENTER BECAME BLANK WHENEVER THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARD AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300.

5/19/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER CONSOLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER TESTED THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHICH READ MORE THEN 140 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

10/27/2014

VEHICLE DASHBOARD CHROME ACCENTS REFLECT THE SUN AT MID-DAY LIKE A MIRROR, BLINDING THE DRIVER. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TODAY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE FOR NEARLY 2 HOURS EACH DAY. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR REPORTS ONLINE, INCLUDING THIS ONE FROM A PROFESSIONAL REVIEWER: " ALTHOUGH THE CHROME USED IS ?SMOKED? TO LESSEN BRIGHTNESS, MATTE ALUMINUM WOULD HAVE IMPROVED THE OVERALL AMBIANCE IMMENSELY. AT ONE POINT, I WAS ACTUALLY BLINDED BY DAZZLING REFLECTIONS OFF THE BEZEL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER." - HTTP://REVIEWS.CARREVIEW.COM/2013-TOYOTA-AVALON-LIMITED-REVIEW *JS

6/14/2014

WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON A CITY STREET MIDDAY, IN SUNNY CLEAR CONDITIONS, SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED THE SUNS GLARE FROM AT LEAST 3 SPOTS ON SHINY CHROME COVERED DASHBOARD ALL AT SAME TIME, FROM DIFFERENT SPOTS, BLINDING AND DISTRACTING ME AND ALMOST MAKING ME RUN A RED LIGHT SINCE I COULD BARELY SEE. IT WAS LIKE 3 SUNS IN MY FACE. CHROME IS MIRROR LIKE, QUITE THICK, AND AT AN ANGLE THAT CAUSES SUN TO REFLECT STRAIGHT INTO YOUR EYES WHEN IT'S MIDDAY AND THE SUN SHINES DOWN THROUGH WINDSHIELD FROM OVERHEAD. I HAD TO BREAK HARD WHEN I NOTICED LIGHT WAS RED AT THE LAST MINUTE. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN THE RED LIGHT. *TR UPDATED 2/20/15 *JS

7/7/2014

WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON A CITY STREET MIDDAY, IN SUNNY CLEAR CONDITIONS, SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED THE SUNS GLARE FROM AT LEAST 3 SPOTS ON SHINY CHROME COVERED DASHBOARD ALL AT SAME TIME, FROM DIFFERENT SPOTS, BLINDING AND DISTRACTING ME AND ALMOST MAKING ME RUN A RED LIGHT SINCE I COULD BARELY SEE. IT WAS LIKE 3 SUNS IN MY FACE. CHROME IS MIRROR LIKE, QUITE THICK, AND AT AN ANGLE THAT CAUSES SUN TO REFLECT STRAIGHT INTO YOUR EYES WHEN IT'S MIDDAY AND THE SUN SHINES DOWN THROUGH WINDSHIELD FROM OVERHEAD. I HAD TO BREAK HARD WHEN I NOTICED LIGHT WAS RED AT THE LAST MINUTE. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN THE RED LIGHT. *TR UPDATED 2/20/15 *JS

7/7/2014

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE GLASS SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. FORTUNATELY THE SHADE WAS CLOSED, BECAUSE THE GLASS BROKE INTO LARGE SHARDS. THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS PAID IN FULL BY MY INSURANCE. MY REASON FOR THIS REPORT IS TO CALL A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT TO YOUR ATTENTION.

4/29/2017

WHILE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE LANE IN FRONT OF US FOR AT LEAST 100-150 FEET, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM RANDOMLY ENGAGED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE VERY HARD, WHICH CAUSED US TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY (LOSING 20-30 MPH IN A SHORT DISTANCE). THE WARNING BEEPS THAT ARE NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH RAPIDLY APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE/BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ALSO WERE SOUNDING, AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE SEATBELTS ON BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS LOCKED AND DREW US FORCEFULLY DOWN AND BACKWARDS INTO THE SEATS. THIS LAST APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS, AT WHICH TIME THE BEEPING STOPPED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKING STOPPED AND THE SEATBELTS LOOSENED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN STEERING INPUT THROUGHOUT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED DRIVING NORMALLY AFTERWARD. AT NO TIME DURING THIS EVENT WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE, ANIMAL OR BARRIER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO NEAR-COLLISIONS THAT WOULD OR SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE.

8/30/2015

S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT ISSUE AN ACCELERATION REMEDY REGARDING THE REPAIR OF VEHICLES USING TAKATA AIRBAGS. *SMD 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. *JB

10/28/2015

I HAVE HAD A DRIVING LICENSE FOR 68 YEARS WITH 3 MINOR COLLISIONS WITH NO FATALITIES OR HOSPITALIZATION. WHEN I WAS TAUGHT TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, I WAS INTRODUCED TO LEFT FOOT BRAKING AND TOLD IT WOULD RESULT IN FASTER BRAKING AS WELL AS INSURING THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE INTO OR THROUGH A STORE OR BUILDING WHEN MY RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE AVALON ON AUGUST 6, 2014. THIS FIRST FRIGHTENING INCIDENT OCCURRED AUGUST 11, 2014. I WAS ATTEMPTING A U TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT AN ISLAND ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, EASING OFF ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT NOT REMOVING MY FOOT FROM IT COMPLETELY, WHILE MODERATING MY SPEED WITH SLIGHT APPLICATIONS OF THE BRAKES WITH MY LEFT FOOT. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLIED A BIT MORE GAS, AND NOTHING HAPPENED, AND I THOUGHT THAT MY ENGINE HAD STALLED. MY TACHOMETER SHOWED THE ENGINE WAS REVVED TO 1200 RPM, BUT THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN. AFTER A DELAY I ESTIMATE WAS 3 OR 4 SECONDS, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY ENGAGED, AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD A FEW MORE SIMILAR INCIDENTS ENTERING OR LEAVING PARKING LOTS IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. I WAS TOLD BY A TOYOTA SERVICE REP. AT THE DEALER THAT THE TOYOTAS ARE DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE LEFT FOOT BRAKING. AFTER GOING THROUGH MY SEVERAL TOYOTA MANUALS I DISCOVERED ON PAGE 27 OF THE 2014 TOYOTA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE A PARAGRAPH ENTITLED "SMART STOP TECHNOLOGY", WHICH EXPLAINS A FEATURE INCORPORATED TO KEEP A CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS WHEN STARTING ON A HILL I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FOR A DRIVER WITH MANY YEARS OF LEFT FOOT BRAKING. *TR

10/16/2014

I WAS STOPPING IN A TENNIS COURT PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE. THE DAMAGE CAME TO ABOUT $7,000. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS 4/2/2014. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS GOING APPROX. 5 MILES AN HOUR BUT I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AND STOPPED THE CAR WITHOUT DOING ANY DAMAGE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I FELL THAT THIS CAR HAS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. *TR

11/1/2014

THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ABRUPTLY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON ACTIVATED ON A FREEWAY IN CHARLESTON, SC. NO CAR OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION WAS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A DISORIENTING LOUD ALARM BEGAN, THE SEAT BELTS FORCED US INTO OUR SEATS AND IMMOBILIZED US, AND THE VEHICLE DID A PANIC BRAKING MANEUVER-IT COULD NOT HAVE BRAKED MORE FORCEFULLY. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN BEHIND US WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NO ANOMALY. THEY GAVE US A LIST OF 13 DIFFERENT HIGHWAY SITUATIONS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. NONE OF THEM ARE UNCOMMON. THIS SYSTEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. I HAVE DISABLED MINE. YOUR AGENCY SHOULD REQUIRE THAT THEY BE DISABLED AND NOT INSTALLED IN OTHER VEHICLES UNTIL THIS FATAL FLAW IS OVERCOME. *TR

2/13/2015

MY CAR HAS BEEN ON A MANUFACTURER RECALL SINCE NOVEMBER 3, 2015. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER FOV NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V728 RECALL STATUS : RECALL INCOMPLETE IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE OPTIONAL PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) COULD INTERPRET A STEEL ROAD JOINT OR STEEL PLATE IN THE ROAD SURFACE AS AN OBSTACLE OR VEHICLE IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL AND ACTIVATE. WHEN THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES, MY VEHICLE'S BRAKES ARE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY. THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES BRAKE ASSIST MODE, AND MY FRONT SEATBELTS MAY TIGHTEN. I WILL HEAR A WARNING BUZZER, THE PCS INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND A MESSAGE WILL APPEAR ON THE MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY.

5/30/2018

I HAVE HAD A DRIVING LICENSE FOR 68 YEARS WITH 3 MINOR COLLISIONS WITH NO FATALITIES OR HOSPITALIZATION. WHEN I WAS TAUGHT TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, I WAS INTRODUCED TO LEFT FOOT BRAKING AND TOLD IT WOULD RESULT IN FASTER BRAKING AS WELL AS INSURING THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE INTO OR THROUGH A STORE OR BUILDING WHEN MY RIGHT FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE AVALON ON AUGUST 6, 2014. THIS FIRST FRIGHTENING INCIDENT OCCURRED AUGUST 11, 2014. I WAS ATTEMPTING A U TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT AN ISLAND ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, EASING OFF ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT NOT REMOVING MY FOOT FROM IT COMPLETELY, WHILE MODERATING MY SPEED WITH SLIGHT APPLICATIONS OF THE BRAKES WITH MY LEFT FOOT. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLIED A BIT MORE GAS, AND NOTHING HAPPENED, AND I THOUGHT THAT MY ENGINE HAD STALLED. MY TACHOMETER SHOWED THE ENGINE WAS REVVED TO 1200 RPM, BUT THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN. AFTER A DELAY I ESTIMATE WAS 3 OR 4 SECONDS, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY ENGAGED, AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAD A FEW MORE SIMILAR INCIDENTS ENTERING OR LEAVING PARKING LOTS IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. I WAS TOLD BY A TOYOTA SERVICE REP. AT THE DEALER THAT THE TOYOTAS ARE DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE LEFT FOOT BRAKING. AFTER GOING THROUGH MY SEVERAL TOYOTA MANUALS I DISCOVERED ON PAGE 27 OF THE 2014 TOYOTA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE A PARAGRAPH ENTITLED "SMART STOP TECHNOLOGY", WHICH EXPLAINS A FEATURE INCORPORATED TO KEEP A CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS WHEN STARTING ON A HILL I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FOR A DRIVER WITH MANY YEARS OF LEFT FOOT BRAKING. *TR

10/16/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

1/20/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

1/20/2015

ON 23 FEB 2016 THE STEERING LOCKED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND AGAIN ON 12 APRIL 2016. ON 4 MAY 2016 THE STEERING LOCKED WHILE TRYING TO TURN RIGHT......UPDATED 05-12/16 *BF *CN

5/4/2016

I HAVE A NEW 2014 AVALON WITH HEATED LEATHER SEATS. I DEMAND THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED BY THE TOYOTA COMPANY. I HAVE LESS THAN 700 MILES ON MY CAR, AND TOYOTA DOESN'T WANT THIS TO BE A MANDATORY RECALL? *TR

1/31/2014

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR SHOWING DISCOLORATION AND RIDGE / LUMP ON LEFT SIDE OF SEAT. SEATS ARE HEATED / AIR CONDITIONED AND ARE IVORY COLORED HOWEVER THE WEAR AND LUMP IN SEAT ARE SHOWING A DARKER COLOR ALMOST DARK GRAY. DON'T KNOW IF THE LUMP / RIDGE IN SEAT IS PART OF THE HEATING ELEMENT OR JUST IRREGULAR WEAR. *TR

3/3/2015

FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW 2014 TOYOTA AVALON, NOTICED A HIGHLY INTENSE MIRROR LIKE REFLECTION OF THE SUN COMING OFF THE VERY THICK SHINY POLISHED CHROME IN THE DASHBOARD THAT SURROUNDS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE AC VENTS IN THE CENTER. 3 SPOTS IN THE DASH WHERE I GET SEVERE GLARE. IT HAPPENS USUALLY MIDDAY WHEN IT'S SUNNY OUTSIDE AND SUN IS OVERHEAD. THE BLINDING LIGHT IS SO BAD I MUST PUT MY HAND IN A POSITION TO OBSTRUCT THE VIEW FROM MY EYES. I AM SCARED THIS MAY DISTRACT ME FROM DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR EVEN CAUSE INJURY TO MY VISION AND PERMANENTLY BLIND ME. PLEASE HELP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT IT 6/10/14. THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT. I SEE COMPLAINTS FROM 2013. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS? HOW CAN THEY BUILD A CAR LIKE THIS AND CONTINUE SELLING IT THIS WAY? I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH THE THICK POLISHED CHROME IN THE DASH. *JS

6/13/2014

WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTS FROM CHROME LINING OF THE DASH AND AROUND AND UNDER SPEEDOMETER. THIS CAUSES GLARE AS IF I WERE WATCHING A WELDER AT WORK WITH NO SHEILD. THIS WILL BLIND YOU, THIS WILL BLIND YOU, THIS WILL BLIND YOU. NOT ONLY WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING BUT PERMANENTLY,PERMANENTLY, AND EVEN MORE QUICKLY FOR DRIVERS THAT REQUIRE GLASSES THAT MAGNIFY, THAT MAGNIFY THE WELDING SPOTS. THE WELDING SPOTS DO NOT OCCUR IN ONLY ONE SPOT BUT SEVERAL AS THE CAR AND SUN MOVE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

6/21/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,144. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN

8/4/2014

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED/SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY ON NOV. 25-2015. LOUD NOISE (LIKE GUNSHOT OR EXPLOSION), FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY SOUND OF WIND ENTERING CAR AND SHATTERED GLASS ROLLING IN SPACE ABOVE INTERIOR SUNROOF CLOSURE. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY, STOPPED VEHICLE, FOUND LARGE HOLE IN MIDDLE OF SUNROOF WITH JAGGED EDGES AND NUMEROUS SHARDS OF GLASS BETWEEN REMAINS OF EXTERIOR SUNROOF AND INTERIOR COVER. FORTUNATELY, INTERIOR COVER WAS CLOSED OR WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SPRAYED WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS. TEMP OUTSIDE IN 60S, DRY. NO TRUCKS, OVERPASSES, OR ROAD DEBRIS WHEN IT OCCURRED -- TOTALLY SPONTANEOUS. VEHICLE PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2014, TOYOTA COOL SPRINGS, FRANKLIN, TN. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE AT OCCURRENCE 9,430.

11/27/2015

THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ABRUPTLY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON ACTIVATED ON A FREEWAY IN CHARLESTON, SC. NO CAR OR OTHER OBSTRUCTION WAS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A DISORIENTING LOUD ALARM BEGAN, THE SEAT BELTS FORCED US INTO OUR SEATS AND IMMOBILIZED US, AND THE VEHICLE DID A PANIC BRAKING MANEUVER-IT COULD NOT HAVE BRAKED MORE FORCEFULLY. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN BEHIND US WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NO ANOMALY. THEY GAVE US A LIST OF 13 DIFFERENT HIGHWAY SITUATIONS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. NONE OF THEM ARE UNCOMMON. THIS SYSTEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. I HAVE DISABLED MINE. YOUR AGENCY SHOULD REQUIRE THAT THEY BE DISABLED AND NOT INSTALLED IN OTHER VEHICLES UNTIL THIS FATAL FLAW IS OVERCOME. *TR

2/13/2015

MY CAR HAS BEEN ON A MANUFACTURER RECALL SINCE NOVEMBER 3, 2015. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER FOV NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V728 RECALL STATUS : RECALL INCOMPLETE IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE OPTIONAL PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) COULD INTERPRET A STEEL ROAD JOINT OR STEEL PLATE IN THE ROAD SURFACE AS AN OBSTACLE OR VEHICLE IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL AND ACTIVATE. WHEN THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES, MY VEHICLE'S BRAKES ARE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY. THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES BRAKE ASSIST MODE, AND MY FRONT SEATBELTS MAY TIGHTEN. I WILL HEAR A WARNING BUZZER, THE PCS INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND A MESSAGE WILL APPEAR ON THE MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY.

5/30/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER (FINDLAY TOYOTA 7733 EAST GATE ROAD, HENDERSON, NV 89011) WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

7/13/2017

SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON 6-7 OCCASIONS. AT TRAFFIC LIGHT COASTING FOWARD WITH VERY LIGHT BRAKE PRESSURE CAR ACCELERATES, RPMS RUN HIGH, HAVE TO APPLY "HEAVY PRESSURE" ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. ALSO PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, COASTING, LIGHT PRESSURE ON BRAKE CAR ACCELERATES FOWARD. ANYTIME I STOP FOR LIGHT I NOW PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ON TWO OCCASIONS THEY HAVE OPENED A CASE NUMBER WITH TOYOTA CHECKED THE CAR AND HAVE TOLD ME EVERYTHING IS OK. THIS STARTED AND MILAGE APPROX 9700. TOYOTA WILL BE OPENING ANOTHER CASE FILE 10/16/18

10/15/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION CENTER BECAME BLANK WHENEVER THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING TO STANDARD AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300.

5/19/2014

FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING BRAND NEW 2014 TOYOTA AVALON, NOTICED A HIGHLY INTENSE MIRROR LIKE REFLECTION OF THE SUN COMING OFF THE VERY THICK SHINY POLISHED CHROME IN THE DASHBOARD THAT SURROUNDS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE AC VENTS IN THE CENTER. 3 SPOTS IN THE DASH WHERE I GET SEVERE GLARE. IT HAPPENS USUALLY MIDDAY WHEN IT'S SUNNY OUTSIDE AND SUN IS OVERHEAD. THE BLINDING LIGHT IS SO BAD I MUST PUT MY HAND IN A POSITION TO OBSTRUCT THE VIEW FROM MY EYES. I AM SCARED THIS MAY DISTRACT ME FROM DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR EVEN CAUSE INJURY TO MY VISION AND PERMANENTLY BLIND ME. PLEASE HELP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT IT 6/10/14. THEY SAID THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT. I SEE COMPLAINTS FROM 2013. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS? HOW CAN THEY BUILD A CAR LIKE THIS AND CONTINUE SELLING IT THIS WAY? I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH THE THICK POLISHED CHROME IN THE DASH. *JS

6/13/2014

DRIVING DOWN ROAD.. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME NO OBJECTS IN ROAD. CLEAR SUNNY DAY WHEN THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ALARM SOUNDED AND THE PCS INDICATOR LIGHT LITE. THE ABS ENGAGED. AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN HALT. LUCKILY NOONE WAS BEHIND ME, BECAUSE IF THERE WAS, A REAR END COLLISION COULD HAVE OCCURED. THIS ISSUE DID OCCUR TO A LESSOR EXTENT ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS (ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO) BUT THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE HALT AS IT DID ON 7/6. IN BOTH OF THOSE INSTANCES, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD. THE ROAD(S) WERE STRAIT. NO CURVES. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, WHICH COULD HURT MYSELF, OTHERS OR CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR

7/10/2014

DRIVING DOWN ROAD.. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME NO OBJECTS IN ROAD. CLEAR SUNNY DAY WHEN THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ALARM SOUNDED AND THE PCS INDICATOR LIGHT LITE. THE ABS ENGAGED. AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN HALT. LUCKILY NOONE WAS BEHIND ME, BECAUSE IF THERE WAS, A REAR END COLLISION COULD HAVE OCCURED. THIS ISSUE DID OCCUR TO A LESSOR EXTENT ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS (ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO) BUT THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE HALT AS IT DID ON 7/6. IN BOTH OF THOSE INSTANCES, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD. THE ROAD(S) WERE STRAIT. NO CURVES. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, WHICH COULD HURT MYSELF, OTHERS OR CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR

7/10/2014

AS I WAS ENTERING THE RAMP TO GET INTO I-95, I HEARD A LOUD BAND AND HEARD DEBRIS HITTING THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. CAR INSTANTLY STARTED STEERING ROUGH. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND NOTICED MY TIRE LOW PRESSURE LIGHT ON. UPON INSPECTION , NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE CAR AT THE WHEEL I SAW A 5 INCH DIAMETER SECTION OF THE METAL ALLOY WHEEL MISSING. CALLED TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR HELP AND THEY DISPATCHED MAINTENANCE TO INSTALL SPARE TIRE. TOOK PICTURES OF DAMAGED WHEEL AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. HAVE NEVER NOTICED A WHEEL EXPLODING DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON DEBRIS FREE ROAD. DID A WALKTHROUGH AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY SHARP OBJECTS OR OTHER MATERIAL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS MISHAP. *TR

1/7/2015

AS I WAS ENTERING THE RAMP TO GET INTO I-95, I HEARD A LOUD BAND AND HEARD DEBRIS HITTING THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. CAR INSTANTLY STARTED STEERING ROUGH. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND NOTICED MY TIRE LOW PRESSURE LIGHT ON. UPON INSPECTION , NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE CAR AT THE WHEEL I SAW A 5 INCH DIAMETER SECTION OF THE METAL ALLOY WHEEL MISSING. CALLED TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR HELP AND THEY DISPATCHED MAINTENANCE TO INSTALL SPARE TIRE. TOOK PICTURES OF DAMAGED WHEEL AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. HAVE NEVER NOTICED A WHEEL EXPLODING DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON DEBRIS FREE ROAD. DID A WALKTHROUGH AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY SHARP OBJECTS OR OTHER MATERIAL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS MISHAP. *TR

1/7/2015

THE COVER TO THE GAS TANK LOCKS WHEN THE CAR IS LOCKED, AND CAN BE OPENED WHEN THE CAR IS UNLOCKED. IF, FOR SOME REASON, THIS MECHANISM IS INOPERATIVE, AND ONE CANNOT OPEN THE GAS TANK COVER, ONE IS INSTRUCTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK, REMOVE THE TRUNK LINING, REACH IN BLINDLY PAST ALL THE WIRES AND CONNECTERS, AND FIND A LITTLE WHITE PLASTIC LEVER. THE LEVER EMERGES FROM BEHIND THE TRUNK THROUGH A HOLE IN THE TRUNK THAT IS COMPOSED OF SHARP METAL. THE LEVER IS ATTACHED BY A FLIMSY LITTLE PLASTIC WIRE. ONE MUST PULL THE LEVER PERFECTLY HORIZONTALLY. IF ONE EXERTS THE SLIGHTEST UPWARDS PRESSURE WHEN PULLING ON THE LEVER, THE FLIMSY LITTLE PLASTIC WIRE IS SHEARED BY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE HOLE THROUGH WHICH THE WIRE EMERGES. EVEN IF ONE MANAGES THE ABOVE FEAT, THE GAS TANK COVER IS NOT GUARANTEED TO OPEN. SO ONE IS STUCK AT THE GAS STATION WITH NO WAY TO ADD GASOLINE TO THE TANK. AND IF THE WIRE IS SHEARED OFF, ONE IS REALLY IN DEEP TROUBLE. FIRST OF ALL, THE WIRE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO I AM REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THEY SAY IT WAS MY FAULT; I PULLED TOO HARD. THE TRUTH IS IT IS THE FAULT OF THE ENGINEERS FOR DESIGNING SUCH A POOR SYSTEM. THE WIRE IS FLIMSY PLASTIC; THE EDGES OF THE HOLE ARE SHARP METAL; HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO PULL THE LEVER WITHOUT SHEARING THE WIRE. THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED. SECONDLY, PULLING THE WIRE DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. WHAT IS THE BACKUP PLAN? THIRDLY, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE FELT LINING OF THE TRUNK, REACH IN BLINDLY, AND FIND THE LEVER. THERE IS NO WAY IN THE WORLD THAT MY WIFE COULD HAVE DONE THIS. THE LEVER SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE SIMPLY BY OPENING THE TRUNK. *TR

1/13/2015

CAR WENT INTO PANIC STOP (INCL TIGHTENING SAFETY BELTS) AT 50 MPH WITH NOTHING IN FRONT OF IT..SEE- EQ- 10724000...-....UPDATED 07/23/15 *BF THE POST COLLISION SYSTEM (WITH AUTO-BRAKE) ACTIVATED (INCLUDING THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENING) WITH A CLEAR ROAD AHEAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR DISASTER IF IT HAD HAPPENED AHEAD OF A TRACTOR TRAILER AT INTERSTATE SPEED.

6/3/2015

FROM THE TIME FRAME OF 2017 TIL THE PRESENT, THE HEADLAMPS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD BURN OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. EACH TIME I REPLACE THEM, THEY WOULD LAST FOR ABOUT 4 TO 6 MONTHS AND THEN THEY WOULD BURN OUT AGAIN. SOMETIMES EITHER ONE WOULD BURN, LEFT OR RIGHT, AND TWICE I'VE HAD BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS CAUSING THE HEAD LAMPS TO BURN OUT. I'VE REPLACED THEM EACH TIME, AND IN COUNTING I HAVE REPLACED THEM AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE 2017. THIS IS TOTALLY UNUSUAL COMPARED TO MY OTHER TWO CARS WHERE I'VE NEVER ONCE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS ON THESE. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AND OTHER TIMES WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON BEFORE DRIVING. TODAY (MARCH 1, 2021) IS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THE DRIVER SIDE LAMP WENT OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

3/1/2021

TL*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL CASING FOR THE ELECTRONIC ADJUSTABLE SEATS LOOSENED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAVANNAH TOYOTA (11101 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31419) WHO REPLACED THE CASING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

4/26/2021

The reflective trim on the interior of the vehicle creates pain for the eyes and is so high that it interferes with the ability of the driver to see out the front window.

7/16/2022

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH for 20 miles, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was parked and then towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,917.

4/20/2023

My 2014 Toyota Avalon transmission failed with only 98,000 miles on it. I have always maintained this car flawlessly. I got a check engine light 07/07/23 and immediately had it towed to a certified mechanic. Was told the car needs a transmission replacement.

7/8/2023

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to AAA Auto Repair facility and the contact was informed that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase the vehicle mileage was 93,326, and after AAA retrieved the Carfax Report, it was discovered that the mileage was 362,712.

8/27/2025