TOYOTA AVALON · model year

2001 TOYOTA AVALON

168 NHTSA complaints, 43 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001TOYOTAAVALON carries 168 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 43 crashes, 1 fire, 33 injuries, and 4 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 AVALON is vehicle speed control with 21 filings, followed by air bags (15) and electrical system (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2001 AVALON, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

168
Complaints
43
Crashes
1
Fires
33
Injuries
4
Deaths

Total Complaints

168 filings

Crashes Reported

43 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21
AIR BAGS15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
STEERING8
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD7
TIRES7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SUSPENSION:FRONT3
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY3
WHEELS3

Recalls (2)

10V34500029/07/2010

STEERING

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 EVENTUAL

01V07200005/03/2001

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Recent Complaints

20230915CrashAIR BAGS

this car involve accident AIR BAG none deploy , right side , rear side, left side were damage serious but AIR BAG none deploy , and now the light AIRBAG to be open on the screen I petition into OFFICE to request for our car to be recall AIRBAG , this is car run was 92K Mile this Air Bag none open any chair or It can open any time itself

20230914CrashAIR BAGS

The contact stated that the son owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. While the son was driving approximately 5 mph, a second vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. The contact indicated that after the crash the air bag light activated and remained illuminated. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken. The vehicle was later towed from the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

20230914CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while her son was driving at low speeds in a parking area, he was involved in a collision with the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Mileage: 92,000

20230911CrashAIR BAGS

I petition into USA to request COMPANY TOYOTA AVALON to should be recall AIRBAG , because in the time our car was involve accident Airbag to did not open , after some day the light AIRBAG appear , it is mean AIRBAG none good , All picture our car were damage I submitted into DMV Our car TOYOTA AVALON 2001 Vin [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] I contact COMPANY TOYOTA in USA For complaint , and to request recall AIRBAG , But I am not company TOYOTA to solve AIRBAG for me after accident I report into POLICE PLEASANT HILL , , This accident at Parking lot and TRUNK car was damage and the right light was damage too , But AIRBAG none open , after some day the light AIRBAG open on the screen INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230911CrashBACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

I petition into USA to request COMPANY TOYOTA AVALON to should be recall AIRBAG , because in the time our car was involve accident Airbag to did not open , after some day the light AIRBAG appear , it is mean AIRBAG none good , All picture our car were damage I submitted into DMV Our car TOYOTA AVALON 2001 Vin [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] I contact COMPANY TOYOTA in USA For complaint , and to request recall AIRBAG , But I am not company TOYOTA to solve AIRBAG for me after accident I report into POLICE PLEASANT HILL , , This accident at Parking lot and TRUNK car was damage and the right light was damage too , But AIRBAG none open , after some day the light AIRBAG open on the screen INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20200803ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE REPLACED O2 SENSORS TWICE TO GET RID OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR CODES THAT HAVE POPPED YOU P1135 & P1155. TOOK CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. ALL SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH DENSO PARTS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A RECALL IF NOT EVEN THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S. I NEED MY CAR TO PASS A SMOG AND IT COULD NOT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. CAR ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES AND RUNS GREAT.

Mileage: 62,000

20200803UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE REPLACED O2 SENSORS TWICE TO GET RID OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR CODES THAT HAVE POPPED YOU P1135 & P1155. TOOK CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. ALL SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH DENSO PARTS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A RECALL IF NOT EVEN THE TOYOTA DEALER COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S. I NEED MY CAR TO PASS A SMOG AND IT COULD NOT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. CAR ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES AND RUNS GREAT.

Mileage: 62,000

20200623CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BROTHER WAS STOPPED AT A SIGN, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CRACKED RIBS, NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND THE DRIVER IN ONE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 99,000

20180816UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE WENT TO GET OUR TRUCK INSPECTED AT AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T INSPECT IT BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS TO RUSTED. WE CONTACTED OUR TOYOTA DEALER OVER THE TELEPHONE AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND SAID IT WAS UNDER RECALL WHICH WE HAD JUST FOUND OUT. THEY THEN TOLD US THEIR IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WE TOLD THEM WE WOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS SITUATION EARLIER IF WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN NOTIFICATION THAT THEY WERE BEING RECALLED NOW OUR TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE RUSTED FRAME AND A TOYOTA DEALER NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT OUR VEHICLE

20170718TIRES

ON 4/21/14, I PURCHASED 2 CROSSWIND TIRES(20560R16) THE SELLER GAVE ME, IN WRITING, TREAD WEAR WARRANTY OF 50,000 MILES. HOWEVER, I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN APPROX. 19,000 MILES AND 90% OF TREADS ARE GONE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE SELLER, HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I EVEN CONTACTED MY CREDIT CARD CO. TO HELP, BUT THEY REFUSED IT TOO. I PAID $129.00 PLUS $40.00 FOR INSTALLATION. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY MONEY BACK.

Mileage: 190,000

20170717WHEELS

ON 4/21/14, I PURCHASED 2 CROSSWIND TIRES. THE SELLER GAVE ME, IN WRITING, TREAD WEAR WARRANTY OF 50,000 MILES. HOWEVER, I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN APPROX. 19,000 MILES AND 90% OF TREADS ARE GONE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE SELLER, HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I EVEN CONTACTED MY CREDIT CARD CO. TO HELP, BUT THEY REFUSED IT TOO. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THESE TIRES. I PAID $129.00 PLUS $40.00 FOR INSTALLATION. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY MONEY BACK.

20170406CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AFTER THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CUTS TO THE BODY, INJURIES TO THE NECK, BOTH KNEES, AND THE LEFT ANKLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20170406CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AFTER THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CUTS TO THE BODY, INJURIES TO THE NECK, BOTH KNEES, AND THE LEFT ANKLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20150501ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,047.

Mileage: 189,047

20150501ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,047.

Mileage: 189,047

20140924CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STORE WINDOW. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20140924CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STORE WINDOW. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20140908CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2001 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP EVEN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT FULL FORCE AND EVENTUALLY HE CRASHED ONTO A LARGE 12 BY 10 WINDOW OF A BUILDING SOME 50 FEET AWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED SOME BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

20140908CrashAIR BAGS

2001 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP EVEN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT FULL FORCE AND EVENTUALLY HE CRASHED ONTO A LARGE 12 BY 10 WINDOW OF A BUILDING SOME 50 FEET AWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED SOME BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

20140907ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK IN AM. NOTICED KEY DIDN'T "CATCH" FIRST TIME, THOUGHT IT WAS HUMAN ERROR AND WROTE IT OFF AND DROVE TO WORK. WENT TO LEAVE WORK AND TURNED KEY IN IGNITION, LIGHTS AND RADIO LIGHT UP BUT KEY FREELY TURNED LIKE BUTTER AND STEERING FELT TIGHTER THAN NORMAL. COULD NOT START VEHICLE. HAD MECHANIC REMOVE IGNITION ASSEMBLY ON SITE TO DETERMINE THAT THE LINKAGE IN BETWEEN THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH HAD A BROKEN METAL PIECE STUCK OFF INTO THE SWITCH. THIS LINKAGE IS CONTAINED IN A METAL HOUSING UNIT WITH 3 HOLES. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND ASKED FOR THE LINKAGE PART, WAS SHOWN THE HOUSING UNIT IT WAS CONTAINED IN, ONLY AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA. WAS TOLD BY EMPLOYEE THAT THE PIECE HE WAS SHOWING ME CAME OFF A CAR LIKE MINE THEY HAD JUST REPAIRED BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE STEERING LOCK BAR, THIS PIECE IS CONNECTED TO THE PIECE THAT I NEED TO REPLACE. I FEEL MY ISSUE OCCURRED BETWEEN DRIVING AND PARKING AT MY WORK AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THIS PIECE. CAR IS

Mileage: 140,000

Compare 2001TOYOTAAVALON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 TOYOTA AVALON have?
The 2001 TOYOTA AVALON has 168 NHTSA complaints, 43 crashes, 1 fires, 33 injuries, and 4 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 TOYOTA AVALON?
Yes, the 2001 TOYOTA AVALON has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 TOYOTA AVALON?
The most-complained component for the 2001 TOYOTA AVALON is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2001 TOYOTA AVALON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.