Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Avalon, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Vehicle speed control24
- Air bags21
- Electrical system14
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Visibility11
- Steering9
- Power train9
- Tires9
- Suspension8
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 25 injuries and 3 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 37 2001 Avalon vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 24 people died inside them, and 6 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Toyota Avalon failed the safety check 2.18% of the time — 9% more often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 145,082 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
1 cars built in 2001 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025.
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
73 2001 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 96% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 10.9 L/100 km (about 22 mpg US), CO₂ 251 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 8.8 | 10.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2001 Toyota Avalon.
| 2010253 29 Jul 2010 | Steering On certain vehicles, a minute crack may develop on the surface of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system. Such a crack ma… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 EVENTUALLY THE LOCK BAR COULD BREAK.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Toyota told its dealers about the 2001 Toyota Avalon: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 633881 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE NO. 2 LOWER SUSPENSION ARM ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. *TT |
| 632246 | SUBJECT REGARDING REAR BEARING O-RING SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 628696 | SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT REGARDING VEHICLES EXPERIENCING ENGINE OIL GELLING OR SLUDGE. *TT |
| 628675 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0773 (SHIFT SOLENOID E ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION). *TT |
| 627413 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRUNK RELEASE SENSITIVITY. *YD |
| 627403 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE FRONT FENDER LINER NOISE. *YD |
| 627375 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT SUB - FRAME ASSEMBLY. *YD |
| 627204 | SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING COLUMN NOISE. *YD |
| 623145 | SUBJECT REGARDING DOOR CHECK NOISE. *ET |
| 622317 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE UPGRADE OF THE CHILD RESTRAINT TETHER ANCHORS.*JB |
| 622315 | EXHIBITING A POP OR CREAK NOISE WHILE OPENING/CLOSING THE DOOR.*JB |
| 622004 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING DUST DEFLECTOR DUE TO LOOSENESS OF THE DUST DEFLECTOR. *TT |
| 621995 | ELECTRONIC MESSAGE REGAREING A TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING DUST DEFLECTOR DUE TO LOOSENESS OF THE DUST REFLECTOR. *TT |
| 620038 | TDN ELECTRONIC MAIL MESSAGE REGARDING A FIELD FIX TO REPAIR INOPERATIVE ASHTRAY DOOR. *TT |
| 619091 | TDN MAIL MESSAGE TO DEALERS REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING CERTAIN MODELYEAR 2001 VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND / OR REPLACE THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY. THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ADEQUATELY WELDED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. *TT |
| 619090 | TOYOTA WILL INITIATE A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND; IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY IN 545 MODEL YEAR 2001 VEHICLES. *TT |
| 618298 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT VSC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS ON (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1301 / 42) IN CONJUNCTION WITH A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0440, P0441 AND / OR P0446). *TT |
| 618292 | THIS BULLETIN INTRODUCES A NEW ACCESSORY ALLOY WHEEL FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. *JB |
| 618291 | STEERING ANGLE SENSOR CALIBRATION ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) SYSTEM. *JB |
| 616095 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN INTRODUCING A FIELD FIX FOR INCIDENTS OF MOISTURE AND ODORS PERMEATING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE QUARTER PANEL AIR DUCT FLAPS MAY HAVE BECOME LOOSE OR MISSING. REPLACING THE QUARTER PANEL AIR DUCT WILL REMEDY THE CONDITION. *TT |
| 616015 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT VSC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS ON (DTC C1301 / 42) IN CONJUNCTION WITH A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON (DTCS P0440, P0441, AND / OR P0446). *TT |
| 614977 | BRIEF INFORMATION PROGRAMMING THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES. *TT |
| 614976 | PROPERLY CALIBRATING THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) SYSTEM. *TT |
| 614975 | BRIEF INFORMATION REGARDING THE AN UPCOMING BULLETIN INTRODUCING A NEW ACCESSORY ALLOW WHEEL FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. *TT |
| 11007445 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)