Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| EG01303R | 09/29/2003 | EG01303 | 10004636 | Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0440, p0441 and/or p0446 stored. *tt | 12/29/2003 |
| EG01303 | 09/29/2003 | 10003965 | Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0440, p0441 and/or p0446 stored. *tt | 11/07/2003 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||||
| TC02002 | 01/30/2002 | 628696 | Special policy adjustment regarding vehicles experiencing engine oil gelling or sludge. *tt | 03/19/2002 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | ||||||
| DP02004 | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 04/30/2002 | 06/20/2002 | ENGINE SEIZURE | ||
| Alleged that the engine seizure due to oil sludge | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | |||
| 09/01/2010 | 65089 | 1 | |
| Toyota avalon 2000 check engine' light comes on. i take it to toyota dealer for repair 9/1/12 . this light comes on again on 10/9/12. toyota dealer again repairs. light comes on again 12/14/12. toyota dealer repairs again. light comes on again 01/18/13. toyota dealer repairs again. 'check engine light' comes on again 1/25/13. toyota dealer wants to repair. i refuse. i inform toyota dealer and toyota corp. and request a refund of all money ($824.47) charged. no refund as of 2/8/13. on 8/18/12, the driver front window won't roll. toyota dealer repairs it at a cost of $274.24. *tr | |||
| 09/01/2010 | 65089 | ||
| Toyota avalon 2000 check engine' light comes on. i take it to toyota dealer for repair 9/1/12 . this light comes on again on 10/9/12. toyota dealer again repairs. light comes on again 12/14/12. toyota dealer repairs again. light comes on again 01/18/13. toyota dealer repairs again. 'check engine light' comes on again 1/25/13. toyota dealer wants to repair. i refuse. i inform toyota dealer and toyota corp. and request a refund of all money ($824.47) charged. no refund as of 2/8/13. on 8/18/12, the driver front window won't roll. toyota dealer repairs it at a cost of $274.24 | |||
| 05/26/2012 | 93500 | ||
| Driving between 10-15 mph in an open parking lot, the car suddenly acclerated (rpms between 7-8). applied brakes to no avail. when trying to shift to park, the car accerated in reverse. did manage to get car in park and shut off engine. most horrifying experience. very fortunate and blessed no other persons, vehicle or building was in our path. was able to restart the car and it idled normal and exhibited no other accelerations when driving. brought car to toyota dealer. diagnostics performed and found no problem. dealer contacted toyota corp. and notified us nothing would be done unless we contacted corporate personally to report the incident. as of this date, we now have a case number assigned from corporate and the car is back at the dealer for further assessment. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 03/05/2012 | 100000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota avalon. the contact stated that the vehicle would not start. the vehicle was started forty-five minutes later but the vehicle would not accelerate. after twenty minutes, the vehicle begun to perform normally. the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. the current and the failure mileages were 100,000. | |||
| 03/05/2012 | 100000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2000 toyota avalon. the contact stated that the vehicle would not start. the vehicle was started forty-five minutes later but the vehicle would not accelerate. after twenty minutes, the vehicle begun to perform normally. the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. the current and the failure mileages were 100,000. kmj | |||
| 03/05/2012 | 100000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2000 toyota avalon. while attempting to start the vehicle contact noticed that the vehicle would not start, 40 minutes later the contact noticed that the vehicle would start however the vehicle would not accelerate. the contact continued to attempt to accelerate and after a 20 minute period she noticed that the vehicle had begun to perform normally. the vehicle has not been diagnosed and has not been repaired. the current and failure mileages were 100000. bml | |||
| 05/12/2011 | |||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 toyota avalon. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and suddenly the engine stalled. the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where they informed the contact that the engine would need to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage and vin were unavailable. sm. | |||
| 05/12/2011 | |||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 toyota avalon. while the contact was driving approximately 35 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and suddenly the engine stalled. the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they informed the engine would need to be replaced. the vehicle had not ben repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. the failure mileage and vin were unavailable. js | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| While driving engine light illuminates on dashboard. sludge like substance in oil makes vehicle inoperable. also, water pump went out, cause known. please provide any further information, and vehicle indentification number. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 02/18/2010 | 125000 | 1 | |
| Our 2000 toyota avalon 6 cylinder engine shut down due to oil sludge. we had it towed to the nearest toyota dealer (champion toyota) where they told us the engine is dead due to the years of oil sludge. no one told us that the 2000-2002 avlon was in a quiet recall called csp to fix those engines. the figure for a new engine is $9000, we decided to take the car to a auto shop near the house where the oil sludge was cleaned. we got the car back. within a few weeks, the car broke down on a busy highway intersection late at night. we had the car towed home as it was very late. we had the car towed to charles maund toyota who sold us the car (car previously owned by the owner charles maund. we bought it with 7000 miles on it in 2000t. the mechanics there cleaned the sludge and try to test drive, only to have the engine shut down again..they took it apart and found that the engine has been damaged beyond repair due to the sludge problem. we did some research on the web and has them to make good on the repairs even though we were not notified of the csp and were not able to take advantage of it during the time limit placed on the csp by toyota corp. the problem is well known and well documented. we have regularly changed the oil, though not always with toyota dealer as we have moved. the engine breakdown could have caused accidents had we not been able to coast to a narrow shoulder by the corner of 2222/360 highway interchange. we want toyota to replace the engine and correct the defective design. we also believe that mr. charles maund may have received the csp notice as he was the original owner but fail to communicate that to us. we have purchased 2 vehicles from charles maund and were regular maintenance customers so they have our records and would have known that we have one of the oil sludge 6 cylinder avalons. *tr | |||
| 05/03/2008 | 63000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2000 toyota avalon. in the mornings, especially in cold weather, the contact makes several attempts to start the vehicle. there were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument control panel. she called the dealer and is currently in the process of having the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failure. the manufacturer stated that because she exceeded her warranty, they would not provide any assistance. the failure and current mileages were 63,000. | |||
| 12/04/2006 | 86496 | 1 | 05/26/2004 |
| I own a toyota avalon 2000 with <87000; 4 weeks ago the car experienced a complete engine failure that was determined to be as a result of low oil volume most likely due to oil sludge build-up. i have regularly maintained the vehicle, and have all the receipts. the dealership has tried to avoid taking blame, but after two independent adjusted viewed the car, the dealership has put me in a loaner vehicle. i am awaiting a return call from the regional manager, but they are taking a long time to respond; they have had my car 4 weeks. i have done extensive research and found toyota reported oil sludge problems and has covered costs of repairs. i am, however, having great difficulty getting something done with my car. *jb | |||
| 01/05/2004 | 70000 | 2 | 12/17/2000 |
| While driving at any speed and when accelerator was released vehicle stalled and lost power. once vehicle stops only then can it be restarted. vehicle had been to the dealer twice for this problem, and dealer could not duplicate the problem. *ak *nm | |||
| 01/31/2003 | 5 | 07/01/2000 | |
| The engine would cut off twice while driving 40 to 65 mph. dealer test drove vehicle for 125 miles however was not able to find anything wrong the vehicle. *tt *nlm | |||
| 12/20/2001 | 40000 | 1 | 05/08/2000 |
| Changed engine oil as directed by toyota dealer on my new 2000 toyota avalon (every 3,000 miles). white smoke started coming from exhaust in late 2001. took it in to toyota service dept. was accused of not keeping up routine maintenance (oil changes) on the vehicle, as sludge had built up under valve cover and in engine. was totally livid at this untrue accusation. was told i needed $4,000 to repair. i had to trade the vehicle in on a new toyota vehicle -- starting at $4,000 in the red. for example, new vehicle was approximately $26,000. to that toyota added the $4,000 to it. i now owe $30,000 on a vehicle worth much much less. i'm enraged and want a $4,000 credit back to my balance on my new vehicle after learning of the obvious relevation that toyota is to blame for a faulty engine problem on many of its vehicles. i work for a law firm and will stop at nothing short of this outcome. thank you. | |||
| 10/01/2000 | 1 | 08/01/2000 | |
| Impact on right front, severe enough to knock engine out of mount. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 06/28/2002 | 5 | 10/01/2000 | |
| The vehicle has a stalls from time to time without any notice. already i've had five diffent occasions where the vehicle won't start. i 've took it into the dealer twice they tell me they didn't find anything. the last time i took it ithey kept it overnight, and was told by the assistant manager they checked the computer, starter, engine, transmission, and they didn't find anything wrong with the vehicle. the very next morning it would not start. i'm very upset by this matter, and not to mention the safety issue i don't know when the car is going to stall. i can't travel far for this reason. i also left two messages with the service manager who have not returned any of my calls. i feel that the car has some type of defect and would like to receive justice in this matter.&*ak | |||
| While driving engine light illuminates on dashboard. sludge like substance in oil makes vehicle inoperable. also, water pump went out, cause known. please provide any further information, and vehicle indentification number. *ak | |||
| 08/07/2001 | 1 | 12/06/1999 | |
| Anytime vehicle is started up massive amounts of white smoke comes out from rear for as long as 3 minutes, and vehicle runs hard. dealer stated it was neglect, not getting enough oil changes. vehicle needed a total of 6 oil changes, and consumer had only gotten 5 oil changes. valve cap was removed, and black sludge had build up. dealer's remedy was to flush the engine, which made it worse. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 06/15/2006 | 88677 | 1 | |
| The consumer paid for repairs of timing belt, alternator belt, power steering belt, hub and wheel bearing, and o-ring on 2000 toyota avalon xls. consumer vin not included in rear hub assembly recall. *kb the consumer had the left rear axle bearing replaced prior to receiving recall notification. the repair facility indicated that they could not honor the repairs because the vehicle was not manufactured within the limitations of the dates listed on the recall. *nm | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||
| 01/11/2006 | 4 | 12/24/1999 | |
| Engine warning light and vsc and vsc off light went on while driving. dealer indicated that a valve in the charcoal canister and the canister itself needed replacement. the components are part of the emissions system and the vsc is part of the same circuit hence both sets of warning lights went on. dealer indicated that if you top off the tank the extra gas spills over into the canister and can overwhelm the valve causing excessive usage and possible shorting. i indicated that i have never topped off the tank in this car, dealer had no other explanation. part is not covered under the toyota $1800 extra care gold extended warranty, and cost to replace canister was $285.00, and $31.00 for valve, plus $285.00 labor. note:78k miles on vehicle, same exact problem on three other occasions: 6/11/03 new valve, vacuum swi installed, total charge $152.11 52,587 mileage 10/16/03 diagnosis & clean sensor reinstall code, total charge $130.50 56,694 mileage 6/24/04 diagnosis & reinstall code, total charge $43.50 60,252 mileage. *nm | |||
| 05/13/2002 | 1 | 06/01/2000 | |
| Engine check light came on. we took it into the toyota dealer who said that the charcoal cannister in the emissions system had to be replaced. the service people also indicated that they have had to replace a lot of cannisters on various toyota models. *ak | |||