1996 TOYOTA AVALON

0 recalls, 121 complaints - 66 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

121 total complaints 11 crashes 12 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	5
TIRES	5
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM	5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3

Incident date: Oct 10, 2013

WHILE DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT, I HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AFTER USING TWO FEET TO SLOW VEHICLE, AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. AFTER TRYING TO RESTART VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, IT WAS STILL REVVING. AFTER A HALF HOUR, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AND BRING IT H... Read more

Incident date: Oct 10, 2013

Incident date: May 27, 2013

AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER, A/C AMPLIFIER, AIR INLET SERVO MOTOR & SERVO LINK & HEATER CONTROLS STOP WORKING AND ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY BY ITSELF. TOYOTA WILL NOT OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA ONLY WANTS MORE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT TELLING YOU EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TOYOTA HAS KNO... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2013

AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE LONGER WE DROVE THE HIGHER THE ENGINE REVVED. I... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2013

Incident date: Jun 26, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO SEAT BELT LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRE... Read more

Incident date: Feb 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TH... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jan 28, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED HIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL R... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 15, 2010

FILLER PIPE HAS CORRODED, SPILLS FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN FILLING VEHICLE. *TR

Incident date: Aug 21, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PULLING UP TO A CURB, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION, THEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE GO INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE TH... Read more

Crash 1 injured 1 deaths

Incident date: Apr 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT HE LOST POWER STEERING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON THE INCIDENT DATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS THERE FOR 14 DAYS. THE AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $984.51. THE FAIL... Read more

Incident date: Apr 12, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND DROVE HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE SUN ROOF AND SUSTAINED A SEVERE HEAD CONCUSSION. SHE ALSO LOST COMPLETE VISION IN ONE EYE, ACUTE MEMORY ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jun 1, 2007

BRITAX MARATHON E9L09DS. CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR FACING LOCK OFF CLIPS DO NOT HOLD. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED THE CLIPS POP OFF WITH OR WITHOUT A SEATBELT INSIDE OF IT. *MC *JB

Incident date: Nov 18, 2006

I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON AND THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE BURNING A LOT OF OIL AND SENDING OFF A LOT OF SMOKE RELATED TO THE SLUDGE PROBLEM KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE PROBLEM KNOWN ONCE MORE. *JB

Incident date: Jul 3, 2004

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR AVALONS OF 1997, BUT NOT FOR THIS YEAR.*AK

Incident date: Dec 4, 2003

PURCHASED USED 1996 TOYOTA AVALON IN MARCH 2002 WITH 72,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME I ALSO PURCHASED A 2 YEAR/24000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH UNIVERSAL UNDERWRITERS. ENGINE FAILED IN EARLY DECEMBER 2003 AT 92000 MILES DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP IN OIL PAN. OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. TOYO... Read more

Incident date: Feb 15, 2003

THE ENGINE CUT OUT/STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY WITH NO WARNING. PULLED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED A WHILE, TURNED ENGINE BACK ON AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR FIRST TIME. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATES IT IS OIL SLUDGE DUE TO FAILURE TO CHANGE OIL FREQUENTLY... Read more

Incident date: Sep 15, 2003

I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON THAT HAS THE OIL SLUDGLE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH CORPORATE OFFICE OF TOYOTA AND THEY CONTACTED LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO ASKED FOR RECEIPTS OF OIL CHANGES AND SAID THEY WILL REVIEW CASE, RECEIPTS WERE PROVIDED AND AFTER BEING REVIEWED THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 15, 2002

ENGINE: ENGINE SLUDGE BUILDUP HAS RUINED THE ENGINE DESPITE REASONABLE MAINTENENCE. ENGINE MUST NOW BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. ENGINE HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR THE LAST YEAR OR TWO. DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT TOYOTA LETTER DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS MANU... Read more

Incident date: May 15, 2002

1996 TOYOTA AVALON ENGINE FAILURE.

Incident date: Mar 5, 2004

FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND INVESTIGATION.*AK

Crash

Incident date: Oct 2, 2003

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE CAM HEAD BROKE OFF. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE WAS REQUIRED.*AK THE LIGHT ... Read more

Incident date: Oct 22, 2003

DURING THE WINTER SEASON THE DEFROSTER FAILED. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD.*AK

Incident date: Aug 31, 2003

I BOUGHT A USED 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. IT WAS COVERED UNDER 6 YEAR / 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MARCH OF 2002. I NOW HAVE JUST OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT.*AK WHEN PUTTING THE AUTO TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES VIOLENTLY. ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 12, 2003

I OWN A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. MY CAR HAS BEEN PUTTING OUT A WHITE SMOKE DURING COLD START-UPS. I AM ADDING TWO QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK. I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. I EVEN REPLACE SOME SEALS, BELIEVING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS COME TO A-HEAD. MY CAR STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE ... Read more

Incident date: Jan 25, 2003

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON AND NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER TOYOTA'S CSP PROGRAM ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE ENGINES COVERED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. THIS HAS CAUSED MY FAMILY EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL STRESS. *JB

Incident date: Feb 8, 2003

ENGINE CUT OUT/STALLED IN MIDDLE OF EXPRESSWAY WITH NO WARNING. PULLED TO EMERGENCY LANE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, WAITED A WHILE, TURNED ENGINE BACK ON, ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATES IT IS OIL SLUDGE DUE TO FAILURE TO CHANGE OIL. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 4000 MILES. GETTING... Read more

Incident date: Feb 12, 2003

THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*JB

Incident date: Jul 23, 2002

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

I OWN A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON WITH 53K MILES ON IT. IT STARTED CONSUMING OIL AND BLOWING SMOKE ON COLD STARTS OVER THE WINTER. I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. BEFORE THEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 15MONTHS AGO SO I ASKED MY TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THE ENGINE... Read more

Incident date: Jun 11, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE HAS BEEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN THE RPM INCREASING WITHOUT ACCELERATION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB

Incident date: Nov 4, 2001

VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT BATTERY HAD FAILED, BUT DASH INDICATOR DID NOT LIGHT UP TO WARN CONSUMER.*AK *YD

Incident date: Feb 10, 1996

REAR BRAKES SQUEALED ONLY WHEN BACKING UP. HAD BRAKE SHOES CLEANED MANY TIMES BY DEALER. ALWAYS THE SAME THING UNTIL REPLACING REAR BRAKES FIXED PROBLEM. NOT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

Incident date: May 1, 2001

WHILE PASSENGER WAS IN SEAT AND WHEN BENDING OVER TO PICK SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR, SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT, CAUSING NO PROTECTION. *AK PERSON WAS SEATED IN MIDDLE BACK SEAT, TOYOTA REIMBURSED CONSUMER. *SLC

Incident date: Jan 31, 2001

POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. TOYOTA WON'T OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE THIS DEFECT, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL PRIVATELY TELL YOU THAT THEY SEE ALL THE TIME.*AK

Incident date: Mar 2, 2001

RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

Incident date: Jan 25, 2001

RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, PARTS ON BACK ORDER. CJ

Incident date: Jan 25, 2001

RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, PARTS ON BACK ORDER. CJ

Incident date: Feb 15, 2001

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND PASSENGER'S REAR SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. THERE WERE NO TREE OR TRAFFIC TRAVELING ON THAT SIDE. CONSUMER WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN# TO FORM. *AK

Incident date: Mar 1, 1999

POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, HAD BEEN LEAKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. BUT , THEN DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A TSB ON THAT PROBLEM. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND DEALER KNEW WHAT PROBLEM WAS. DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR PART, BUT CONSUMER FELT D... Read more

THE STEEL BELTS OF THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES (P205/65R15) SEPARATED CAUSING VIBRATION, CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW SET OF BRIDGESTONE TIRES OF THE SAME MODEL BUT WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THE NEW TIRES EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. NLM

Incident date: Jul 1, 2000

ENGINE HAS SLUDGE.TOYTA DOES NOT WANT TO FIX IT.ENGINE WILL CUT OFF GOING DOWN ROADIT COULD POSSIBLTY CAUSE ACCIDENT.IT IS NOT JUST ONE MODEL OF CAR BUT THE SIX CYLINDER IS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT 20 PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH ENGINE SLUDGE.THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL HOW MANY PEOPLE ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 1999

BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLE MECHANISMS HAVE FAILED. IF IT WERE ONE IT MAY BE CONSIDERED A FLUKE, BUT SINCE BOTH HAVE FAILED I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS NOT ON BUT IT MAY BE SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE PROBLEM. ... Read more

Incident date: Oct 28, 1998

BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. MJS (SB ISSUED 60218,60252).

Incident date: Mar 9, 2000

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WIGGLES AROUND. WAS REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

WHEN DEFROSTING, A/C FAILS, HOT AIR COMES OUT OF WINDOW VENTS AND WINDOW FOGS UP MAKING DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE. YH

Incident date: Nov 1, 1998

WHEN THE DEFOGGER IS TURNED ON THE WINDOWS START TO FOG UP, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Showing 50 of 121 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1996 TOYOTA AVALON

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Regular	$2,950

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Large Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 TOYOTA AVALON

66 manufacturer communications from 45 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	11
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	4
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	4
280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION	4
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
100000 POWER TRAIN	3
140000 AIR BAGS	3
050000 PARKING BRAKE	2

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the re

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

140000 AIR BAGS

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any custom

200000 WHEELS

190000 TIRES

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION