TOYOTA AVALON · model year

2002 TOYOTA AVALON

148 NHTSA complaints, 44 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002TOYOTAAVALON carries 148 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 44 crashes, 2 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 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 2002 AVALON is air bags with 28 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (20) and steering (18). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 2002 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.

148
Complaints
44
Crashes
2
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

148 filings

Crashes Reported

44 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS28
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL20
STEERING18
TIRES5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
SERVICE BRAKES5
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
SUSPENSION3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR2

Recalls (1)

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

Recent Complaints

20250210AIR BAGS

Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002 model is affected and should be recalled for the same issue before it kills someone. Also the shifter will not not go into drive without first pushing it forward and backwards several times to engage and the green D light on the dashboard will not show up.

20250210POWER TRAIN

Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002 model is affected and should be recalled for the same issue before it kills someone. Also the shifter will not not go into drive without first pushing it forward and backwards several times to engage and the green D light on the dashboard will not show up.

20230417SERVICE BRAKES

Bosch ABS anti skid, anti lock brake moduled failed. No brakes. Toyota US has no replacements parts available. Bosch no longer produces. Called Toyota Customer Service three times. Got to the management end and Senior Advisor told me, warranty expired, norhing we can do. I said, there are a bunch of 2000 to 2004 Toyota Avalons/Lexus 300 vehicles out there (same car except nameplates) with the same problem! Same answer: Toyota, LLC has no further interest in those models and warranty has expired. So, I have limited options: 1. Junk the car (funs and drives like new), 2. Start a legal proceeding (costs prohibitive), 3. notify NHTSA. So, I (and X# of others that own this model) have a seroius safety problem. What Can the NHTSA do?

20210610UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Headlights failed to operate correctly, resulting in taking the car to fix problem , service advisor told me that this veh vin number shows this car should not havve automatly controled headlights, the car is being serviced at cedar rapids toyota , steve lemke is the servvice advisior

20210610ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Headlights failed to operate correctly, resulting in taking the car to fix problem , service advisor told me that this veh vin number shows this car should not havve automatly controled headlights, the car is being serviced at cedar rapids toyota , steve lemke is the servvice advisior

20201003AIR BAGS

THE 2003-2004 MODEL AVALON'S HAVE A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAGS WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN FREQUENCIES AND NOISES. MY 2002 AVALON HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR AS WELL. I'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR EVER, BUT AS SOON AS IT HIT 140,000 MILES THE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH I SEEN THAT OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THIS CAR IS VERY DEPENDABLE AND I'VE HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL NOW.

Mileage: 140,082

20200202CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SLIPPERY ROADS. I WAS EXITING I5 ON TO HIGHWAY 7 IN TACOMA WASHINGTON. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, SLID AND HIT A CEMENT WALL ON HIGHWAY 7. UPON IMPACT I HIT MY HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT UPON IMPACT. I RECEIVED INJURIES DUE TO THIS DISORDER.

Mileage: 192,000

20190326CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO LANES, THEN ACCELERATED TURN HALF ,I THINK, CRASHED (THE FRONT OF THE CAR)WITH A SMALL HILL SOME HOW DID NOT STOP AND ENDED UP SOMEHOW TURNING BACK AND CRASHED AGAIN THIS TIME THE BACK OF THE CAR CRASHED AGAINST THE HILL AND STOPPED. THE CAR SUFFERED SEVERAL BREAKS IN AND A TRANSMISION REPAIR. THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA. IT WAS PERFECT BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT WAS VERY SCARY. JUST A FEW MIN BEFORE THE CRASH I WAS PASSING A TOLL AT ABOUT 28 MPH. AFTER PASSING THE TOOL I WAS FASTER THAN THAT BUT I DO NOT LIKE TO SPEED.

Mileage: 213,830

20190326CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO LANES, THEN ACCELERATED TURN HALF ,I THINK, CRASHED (THE FRONT OF THE CAR)WITH A SMALL HILL SOME HOW DID NOT STOP AND ENDED UP SOMEHOW TURNING BACK AND CRASHED AGAIN THIS TIME THE BACK OF THE CAR CRASHED AGAINST THE HILL AND STOPPED. THE CAR SUFFERED SEVERAL BREAKS IN AND A TRANSMISION REPAIR. THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA. IT WAS PERFECT BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT WAS VERY SCARY. JUST A FEW MIN BEFORE THE CRASH I WAS PASSING A TOLL AT ABOUT 28 MPH. AFTER PASSING THE TOOL I WAS FASTER THAN THAT BUT I DO NOT LIKE TO SPEED.

Mileage: 213,830

20190326CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO LANES, THEN ACCELERATED TURN HALF ,I THINK, CRASHED (THE FRONT OF THE CAR)WITH A SMALL HILL SOME HOW DID NOT STOP AND ENDED UP SOMEHOW TURNING BACK AND CRASHED AGAIN THIS TIME THE BACK OF THE CAR CRASHED AGAINST THE HILL AND STOPPED. THE CAR SUFFERED SEVERAL BREAKS IN AND A TRANSMISION REPAIR. THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA. IT WAS PERFECT BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT WAS VERY SCARY. JUST A FEW MIN BEFORE THE CRASH I WAS PASSING A TOLL AT ABOUT 28 MPH. AFTER PASSING THE TOOL I WAS FASTER THAN THAT BUT I DO NOT LIKE TO SPEED.

Mileage: 213,830

20190325UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE AT THE STORE I FOUND I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY AND GET OU WHILE THE CAR IS STILL IN GEAR. IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL AWAY, CAUSING PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.

Mileage: 115,000

20180629AIR BAGS

AIR BAG FLASHES VSC OFF AND ENGINE FAILURE LIT.LOW MILES. TUNED REPLACING SPARK PLUGS. NO IMPROVEMENT.

Mileage: 18,000

20180629VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AIR BAG FLASHES VSC OFF AND ENGINE FAILURE LIT.LOW MILES. TUNED REPLACING SPARK PLUGS. NO IMPROVEMENT.

Mileage: 18,000

20180416CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

MOVING MY CAR FROM A TO B PUT IT IN REVERSE IT JUST TOOK OFF BY IT SELF. IT WAS GOING SO FAST I COULD NOT STOP IT EVEN PRESSING THE BREAKS IT STILL WENT FAST ON IT ON. I STARTED SCREAMING WHY THIS CAR GOING SO FAST AND WHY I CAN'T STOP IT. IT STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE CARPORT AND TO SIENNA VAN UNDER THE CARPORT.WHICH MY VANS ARE DAMAGE VERY BAD. I CALL TOYOTA CORPORATION AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPEN. THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED FROM TOYOTA I SAID MY CAR CARPORT, AND BOTH VANS FIX. THEY GAVE ME A CLAIM NUMBER.SO THEY ARE HAVING AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT IT I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED. THEY WORK FOR TOYOTA AND MAY SAY THE CAR IS FINE BUT I KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. IT IS SCARY, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IN MY OWN BACKYARD.

20180416CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MOVING MY CAR FROM A TO B PUT IT IN REVERSE IT JUST TOOK OFF BY IT SELF. IT WAS GOING SO FAST I COULD NOT STOP IT EVEN PRESSING THE BREAKS IT STILL WENT FAST ON IT ON. I STARTED SCREAMING WHY THIS CAR GOING SO FAST AND WHY I CAN'T STOP IT. IT STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE CARPORT AND TO SIENNA VAN UNDER THE CARPORT.WHICH MY VANS ARE DAMAGE VERY BAD. I CALL TOYOTA CORPORATION AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPEN. THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED FROM TOYOTA I SAID MY CAR CARPORT, AND BOTH VANS FIX. THEY GAVE ME A CLAIM NUMBER.SO THEY ARE HAVING AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT IT I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED. THEY WORK FOR TOYOTA AND MAY SAY THE CAR IS FINE BUT I KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. IT IS SCARY, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IN MY OWN BACKYARD.

20171126AIR BAGS

AIRBAG ON WITH ERROR CODE B0113 ( SHORT INSIDE SQUIB HR CIRCUIT TO +B ) AND CAN NOT ERASE CODE.

20170819STEERING

WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN LIKE IT GET STUCK CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.I WAS DRIVING A CITY STREET WHEN I NOTICE A FEW DAYS AGO. JUST SEEING THE RECALL NOTICE.HOW LONG DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH RECALL.

Mileage: 92,000

20170626CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS LEAVING PARKING LOT @ 1-2 MPH TURNING RIGHT ONTO W TUOLUMNE RD IN TURLOCK CA. SUDDENLY CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A JET, BRAKES DIDN'T DEPRESS, HIT AN ISLAND THEN SLAMMED INTO TREE. I AM INJURED ANS CAR TOTALED. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATION PEDAL PROBLEM.

Mileage: 165,000

20170523CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE ELECTRICAL WIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE CRASH WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

Mileage: 300,000

20170523CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE ELECTRICAL WIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE CRASH WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

Mileage: 300,000

Compare 2002TOYOTAAVALON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 TOYOTA AVALON have?
The 2002 TOYOTA AVALON has 148 NHTSA complaints, 44 crashes, 2 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 TOYOTA AVALON?
Yes, the 2002 TOYOTA AVALON has 1 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 2002 TOYOTA AVALON?
The most-complained component for the 2002 TOYOTA AVALON is AIR BAGS with 28 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and STEERING.
Is the 2002 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.