Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 12/11/2012 | 75000 | 1 | |
| The steering started to bind when it started getting cold. it got to the point where it felt like no power steering existed intermittently. while making turns it would also bind, making it hard to straighten the wheel back as i am coming out of the turn, which was the most dangerous situation. initial repair shop suggested changing the serpentine belts. that did not make a difference. next i took it to the dealer, who replaced upper steering shaft. this seemed to improve but not solve the issue. i just went back, and now they replaced the steering rack and lower shaft. now it appears corrected. while looking on the web, this seems to be a common occurrence, so i feel this should qualify as a safety recall. *tr | |||
| 12/11/2012 | 75000 | ||
| The steering started to bind when it started getting cold. it got to the point where it felt like no power steering existed intermittently. while making turns it would also bind, making it hard to straighten the wheel back as i am coming out of the turn, which was the most dangerous situation. initial repair shop suggested changing the serpentine belts. that did not make a difference. next i took it to the dealer, who replaced upper steering shaft. this seemed to improve but not solve the issue. i just went back, and now they replaced the steering rack and lower shaft. now it appears corrected. while looking on the web, this seems to be a common occurrence, so i feel this should qualify as a safety recall. | |||
| 12/20/2012 | 130000 | 1 | |
| 75 n traveling 65 mph there was a loud snap under car. car tried to veer to left several times pulled back thought it was under control when speed increased car darted right head on into retaining wall bounced off did 2 1/2 360 degree spins hit wall again broadside and finally came to stand still. when speed increased and car shot to right all control was lost. *tr | |||
| 12/20/2012 | 130000 | ||
| 75 n traveling 65 mph there was a loud snap under car. car tryied to veer to left several times pulled back thought it was under control when speed increased car darted right head on into retaining wall bounced off did 2 1/2 360 degree spins hit wall again broadside and finally came to standstill. wnen speed increased and car shot to right all control was lost. | |||
| 07/27/2011 | |||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon. the contact stated the vehicle was previously repaired for a recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 10v345000 (steering). after the remedy repair was performed an unusual noise would sound when making a turn. the contact planned to notify the dealer regarding the defect. the manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was unavailable. js | |||
| 04/16/2011 | 70515 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon. the contact was driving approximately 15 mph and when attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. the contact engaged the steering wheel with force and continued to drive. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they stated that the lower steering shaft would need to be replaced. in addition, the technician advised that an earlier detection of the lower steering shaft failure was impossible due to the design. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 70,515. | |||
| 04/16/2011 | 70515 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon. the contact was driving approximately 15 mph and when attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. the contact engaged the steering wheel with force and continued to drive. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they stated that the lower steering shaft would need to be replaced. in addition, the technician advised that an earlier detection of the lower steering shaft failure was impossible due to the design. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 70,515. js | |||
| 12/15/2010 | 86000 | ||
| While in parking lot, placed car in reverse. the car accelerated across the parking lot, jumping a curb and hitting a 2 foot high pole in next parking lot. braking had no effect. attempt to shift into neutral failed. steering also failed. car towed to collision center subsequently totaled by insurance company. car hit with such force, it was wrapped around pole and resting on top of pole. wrist of driver hurt - had to seek attention from emts and go to emergency room. under orthopedic specialist care currently. passenger in back seat, 20 yr old, has neck strain and headache concerns. | |||
| 11/01/2010 | 1 | ||
| 2003 toyota avalon. consumer writes in regards to safety recall notice concerning steering column *tgw the consumer contacted the dealer on two separate occasions, only to be told the parts were not available. *jb | |||
| 07/19/2010 | 83000 | ||
| I had to replace 6 month old tires because they were worn on the edges. i thought it was a bad alignment, so i bought new tires, had them balanced and re-aligned. 1 month later my car is still pulling to the left. it is difficult to keep it straight. is there a recall on this issue? | |||
| 01/19/2009 | 103000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon. the contact experienced an issue with the steering universal joint in the steering shaft, which made it difficult to turn the vehicle. the dealer stated that the rack needed to be replaced at the cost of over $1,000. an independent mechanic verified that the steering shaft needed to be replaced at the cost of over $500. no repairs have been made. the vin was unknown. the current and failure mileages were less than 103,000. | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 09/01/2012 | 1 | ||
| 2003 toyota avalon. consumer states unintended acceleration *tgw the consumer stated over a year ago, he was driving into a garage, when the vehicle suddenly, and he hit a brick wall. the consumer realized he accidentally, hit the accelerator, instead of the brake. in 2003, the steering column did not telescope and tall drivers, such as him had a problem selecting the degree of tilt on the steering column. because he could not extend the steering column, on that occasion, he tilted the steering wheel down, but further than he usually did. the result, was that the steering wheel blocked his right leg from moving to the left. | |||