2002 Toyota Avalon recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 AVALON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V345000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-331-4331.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Notes: TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL NO. AOH. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2002 Toyota Avalon owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (36), Vehicle Speed Control (25), Brakes (22), Steering (19), Hydraulic (12).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/10/2025 · Transmission / drivetrain
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…
04/17/2023 · 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 (…
06/10/2021 · Electrical 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
10/03/2020 · Airbags
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 HAVI…
02/02/2020 · Airbags · crash
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.
03/26/2019 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
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.…
03/25/2019 · Unknown 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.
06/29/2018 · Airbags
AIR BAG FLASHES VSC OFF AND ENGINE FAILURE LIT.LOW MILES. TUNED REPLACING SPARK PLUGS. NO IMPROVEMENT.