2009 TOYOTA AVALON Recalls, Complaints & Safety

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

7,749 vehicles affected

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

3,233 vehicles affected

SEATS

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

3,235 vehicles affected

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

3,235 vehicles affected

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

153,418 vehicles affected

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

271,417 vehicles affected

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

2,230,661 vehicles affected

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

4,445,056 vehicles affected

The steering latch to adjust steering wheel unlocks while I’m driving causing my steering wheel to drop literally while I’m driving.

While driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon on a sunny day, I could not see clearly through my windshield due to the intense sunlight reflection from my dashboard. Upon searching the Internet, I see this is an ongoing issue with my car model. The manufacturer does not provide any remedy to address this issue and I feel very unsafe driving my car. Please help address this issue with the manufacturer.

When driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon my headlights sporadically go out. Mostly on the drivers side. I have replaced the headlight on 3 separate occasions with in the last 3 Years and each time it cost me $185.00 for labor and the headlight. I also got stopped by the POLICE for it! Now in 2023 the right head light goes on and off sporadically since March 2023. Again, I got stopped by the POLICE! Now it's JUNE of 2023 and both lights went out while driving home at night. We took it to a different repair shop and was FINALLY told that this has been a problem for the 2009 Toyota Avalon for a while as it was a manufacturing DEFECT. A head light ballast I think. Why should I pay to fix this as well as tickets from the POLICE for a manufacturing ERROR!!! Now I have to pay for 2 Ballasts and 2 headlights????.

The steering wheel telescoping lever is faulty in that it will loosen in its own causing the steering wheel to lunge forward toward the dash unexpectedly with little pressure while driving.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while at the dealer he was notified about an extended warranty on the dashboard by another customer. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that the warranty had expired. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The contact had not received notification for the extended warranty on the dashboard. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. , DISCOVERED THAT BOTH LIGHT BULBS HAD SHATTERED INSIDE THE HEAD LAMP HOUSING. DEALER & TOYOTA USA CONFIRMS THAT TOYOTA HAS CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DESIGN THAT ACCOMODATES A DIFFERENT HIGH BEAM BULB THAT WILL NOT SHATTER. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE HOUSING EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED TO RECALL STATUS. TOYOTA USED, A NOW EXPIRED, EXTENDED WARRANTY TO AVOID THIS BEING A RECALL AS IT SHOULD BE. HOW MANY AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE TO LOSE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS!

IT HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD WHICH IS ALSO SHINY. IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS IT DISTRACTS THE VISIBILITY.

THE MANUAL LOCK MECHANISM FOR TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL WILL UNLOCK ITSELF WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION & SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY HAZARD!

THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT LEVER WILL NOT STAY SECURE AND COMES LOOSE FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING ALLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN TO COLLAPSE IN OR PULL OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I REPORTED TO MY TOYOTA DEALER (GILROY TOYOTA - GILROY, CA) IN JULY OF 2019 WHEN TAKING THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE AC BLOWER MOTOR REPAIRED AND ASKING FOR A SOLUTION. AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS I FINALLY GAVE UP. NOW I'M BACK TALKING TO THE DEALER REGARDING A RECALL ON MY 2018 HIGHLANDER AND ASKING THEM AGAIN ABOUT A FIX FOR MY STEERING COLUMN. THEY NOW INFORM ME OF A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TELESCOPIC LEVER DETENT CLIP AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0147-13 AND ALSO THAT TOYOTA HAD A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ZTY TO ADDRESS IT WHICH EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019. THE DEALER NOW TELLS ME THEY CAN NOT HELP SINCE IT HAS EXPIRED AND GAVE ME THE NUMBER FOR TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE 1-800-331-4331 BUT THEY REFUSE TO HELP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM SO I'M NOW STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD CONTINUE TO STAND BEHIND. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AT ALL?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE BUTTON FOR THE HEATED SEAT IN THE OFF POSITION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V396000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A SUBTLE VIBRATION BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY NOISE. THE NEXT DAY THE VIBRATION NOISE WAS A LITTLE WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I QUESTIONED AT UNDER 60000 MILES, THE SHRUGGED. 6964.08 DOLLARS LATER AND 4 DAYS, NOISE WAS GONE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE AT 70 MPH TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED.

VSC & ENGINE CHECK LIGHT LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY; THIS TIME AT 154K MILES. I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED AT A COUPLE OF DEALERSHIPS WITH NO RESOLUTION TO ISSUE.

A POWER REAR WINDOW SUNSHADE IS AN OPTION THAT IS DESIGNED TO BE RETRACTABLE. A PUSH BUTTON SWITCH BELOW THE DASHBOARD IS SUPPOSED TO TOGGLE THE PERFORATED SUNSHADE TO THE RAISED AND RETRACTED POSITION. ONCE THE SUNSHADE IS RAISED NORMALLY, IT CANNOT BE RETRACTED AGAIN. ANY ATTEMPT TO LOWER IT RESULTS IN A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AS THE SHADE TRIES TO RETRACT BUT CANNOT.. THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED WHEN BACKING UP, SINCE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE (R) SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT THE SUNSHADE BUT CANNOT DO SO. MY SUNSHADE IS STUCK IN THE RAISED POSITION AND CANNOT BE LOWERED. ALTHOUGH I CAN SEE THROUGH THE SHADE FAIRLY WELL DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, VISION IS OBSCURED AT NIGHT AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALED THAT MANY OTHER AVALON OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAD THIS SUNSHADE OPTION HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND STRUGGLED TO FIND A SOLUTION. MANY TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM SO DIFFICULT TO SOLVE THAT THEY MUST CHARGE AN EXORBITANT SUM OF MONEY FOR A TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT MIGHT NOT LAST VERY LONG. THIS IS AN ANNOYING PROBLEM THAT BEGS FOR A PERMANENT AND AFFORDABLE SOLUTION!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *BF *TR

THE BRIGHT LIGHTS DO NOT WORK DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR RECALL BECAUSE THEY ADDED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOT ALL OWNERS NOTIFIED. IT IS COST PROGIBITIVE YO REPAIR, SO MANY MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF DRIVE WITHOUT BENEFIT OF HIGH BEAMS, A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE EAPECIALLY DRIVING IN RURAL AMERICA.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN THE DARK, THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING TURNED OFF. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO VIEW THE ROAD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE CONTACT HAD TO FLIP THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTING TO BE RESTORED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HESSER TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 1811 HUMES RD, JANESVILLE, WI 53545, (608) 754-7754) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1809132009. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

IN A JUNE 21 "T- BONE" COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS HIT BY AN SUV ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON US 20 IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, NONE OF THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY TO MY LEFT RIB CAGE (11 OF 12 RIBS EITHER BROKEN OR CRACKED). THE SUV HAD RUN A STOP SIGN AND WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN GOING 45-50 MPH. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BUT NOT THE SIDE AIRBAGS THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED VITAL PROTECTION. I SUSPECT THAT THE SENSORS FAILED TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

Crash 2 injured

I JUST PURCHASED A 2009 AVALON AND NOTICED THE HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT WORKING. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY LIMITED THE WARRANTY ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE TO ONLY 76K MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS 97K MILES. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND NOT A WARRANTY EXTENSION AS IT CAUSES A POTENTIAL HAZARD. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. NOT HAVING HIGH BEAMS IMPACTS MY ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY ON THESE ROADS. REFERENCE NHTSA REFERENCE #10037591 TSB REFERENCE #SB-0044-10 REV 1

HIGH BEAM LIGHT BULB SHATTERED, NO HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. POSSIBLE HAZARD FOR FIRE OR ACCIDENT AT NIGHT.

DRIVING ON AN UNLIGHTED TEXAS HIGHWAY AT NIGHT MY HI-BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT. WHEN I CHECKED THEM LATER , BOTH SIDES THE BULB HAD SHATTERED. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 AT THAT TIME COUNTING ON THOSE HI-BEAMS TO SPOT WILDLIFE AROUND THE ROAD AREA. AFTER I LOST THE USE OF THE HIGH BEAMS I HAD TO LOWER MY SPEED AND THE AREA WHICH I COULD SAFELY SEE HAD GREATLY DECREASED.

THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE LATCH THAT CONTROLS THE STEERING WHEEL HAS FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL DROPS ALL THE WAY AGAINST THE DASHBOARD TO THE LOWEST POSITION. THIS ALWAYS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING. MAKING CONTROLLING THE CAR DIFFICULT. THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR OVER $1200.

THE CAR FOR SOME REASON HAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND ALSO THE VSC AND ABS LIGHT S COME.

MY CAR IS A PUSH START BUTTON. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START SO HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK IT OUT ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE BATTERY IN THE REMOTE. AND THE 2ND REMOTE HAD A DEAD BATTERY. FORTUNATELY IT WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN TRAVELING TO MY HOMETOWN IN CANADA AND I GOT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. HOW DID THIS PUSH BUTTON START GET PASSED BY SAFETY. AM I THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. IS THERE A WAY I COULD HAVE A REGULAR KEY IGNITION PUT IN TO THE CAR?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT BOTH LIGHT BULBS HAD SHATTERED INSIDE THE HEAD LAMP HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD LAMP HOUSING. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALER ( ANDREW TOYOTA) CONFIRMS THAT TOYOTA HAS CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DESIGN THAT ACCOMODATES A DIFFERENT HIGH BEAM BULB THAT WILL NOT SHATTER. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE THE HOUSING. UPDATED 9/27/18*JB

JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY BRIGHT BEAM DOESN'T FUNCTION AND NEVER HAS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2009. THERE WERE SERVICE BULLETINS BUT TOYOTA DEALER NEVER CHECKED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, TOLD ME THEY DON'T CHECK IF CUSTOMER DOESN'T COMPLAIN. I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR READING SERVICE BULLETINS. I JUST PAID NEARLY $200 FOR REPAIRING THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. IT HAS BEEN DANGEROUS DURING NIGHT DRIVING BUT I ASSUMED THAT WAS THE WAY AVALON WERE BECAUSE THEIR FRONT END SITS LOW. I THINK REIMBURSEMENT IS IN ORDER.

AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT MY HAIRDRESSER'S (PART OF A STRIP MALL) AND HAD ALMOST REACHED THE CEMENT PARKING STOP, MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, JUMPED THE CURB, AND CRASHED INTO THE GLASS STOREFRONT BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP. IT FELT AS IF THE CAR HAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. LUCKILY, THE STOREFRONT WAS VACANT, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED, INCLUDING MYSELF, BUT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE STOREFRONT AND MY VEHICLE.

Crash

THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN OPERATING THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL, HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATE ROADS. CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT FOR FEAR THAT THEY WILL GO OUT WHEN I AM DRIVING. DEALER WANTED $2,900 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ADDRESS AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE LIMITED TSB WHICH THEY ISSUED WOULD NOT HAVE HELPED ME. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.

MY 2009 TOYOTA NOW HAS 85000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A TORN CV AND POWER STEERING BOOT ALONG WITH A RETURN HOSE. THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS LEAKING AND THE PRICE TAG TO REPAIR THESE ITEMS IS $1912.21. IN READING MY CONSUMER REPORTS TROUBLE SPOT REPORT I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS FROM 2007 THROUGH 2010 AND I AM SURPRISED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS PROBLEM BY ISSUING A RECALL FOR THAT SPECIFIC DEFECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ UPDATED 03/14/16. *JB

I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 2-1/2 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE REPLACED THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS TWICE. CURRENTLY, THE RIGHT HAND HIGH BEAM LIGHT IS BURNED OUT AND WILL NEED REPLACED A THIRD TIME. I GOT A RUDE AWAKENING WHEN THE RIGHT HAND LOW BEAM LIGHT BURNED OUT YESTERDAY. I DISCOVERED THAT THE LOCAL AUTO ZONE WANTS $170 FOR THE BULB ... ALONE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WILL COST TO HAVE SOMEONE PUT IT IN THE CAR. IN MY OPINION, THE COST OF REPLACING THIS HEADLIGHT IS EXCESSIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY TOYOTA WHEN THEY USED THIS SYSTEM IN THEIR AUTOMOBILES. THE AVERAGE JOE. IS GOING TO BE RELUCTANT TO REPLACE THE BULB. THIS RENDERS THE CAR UNUSABLE IN THE NON-DAYLIGHT HOURS. HELP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FEW VEHICLES DRIVING ON THE ROAD, A CURB, AND A PARKED VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Crash 1 injured

WHILE DRIVING DURING DARK HOURS , THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF OR JUST DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GO OFF AT SOME TIME .I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON BY SWITCH ATTACH TO STERLING . THEY WORK BACK ON FOR SOME TIME AND THEN GO OFF AGAIN.IT DOES HAPPEND EVERY DAY TO ME ON CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY. IT'S SCARY AND UNSAFE . ITS HIGH RISK SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT DARK TIME HOURS. PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA CORP. FIX THIS ISSUE . THEY KNOW ABOUT THAT PROBLEM, DEFFECT FOR SO LONG.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE CAUSE UNKNOWN. THE HIGH INTENSITY BULBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,920.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE AND CAUSED THE LOW BEAMS TO MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

THE PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE BACK BUMPER DOESN'T MATCH THE CAR. WHEN LOOKING AT THE CAR FROM THE SIDES AND THE FRONT BUMPER ARE ONE COLOR AND THE CAR IS A DIFFERENT COLOR. *TR

THE HORN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES MOVES. THE CAR SITS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD CAUSING THE TIRES TO SCRAPE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE HIGH BEAMS ON OUR 2009 TOYOTA AVALON SUDDENLY CEASED TO FUNCTION LAST WEEKEND. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE HOUSINGS REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT THEREOF BUT THAT THIS REPLACEMENT IS ONLY COVERED FOR 5 YEARS OR 72,000 MILES UNDER THE "ENHANCED" WARRANTY. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW 5 1/2 YEARS AGO. THE COST FOR FIXING THIS DEFECT WAS QUOTED AT $2,626 AND NEITHER THE DEALER NOR TOYOTA CORP. WERE WILLING TO ABSORB ANY OF THIS COST TO MAKE IT EVEN REASONABLY AFFORDABLE. NON-WORKING HIGH BEAMS COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THIS MALFUNCTION IS NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT RATHER IS A KNOWN DEFECT. IT SHOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER A LIMITED WARRANTY BUT SHOULD BE A REQUIRED RECALL SO THAT PEOPLE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE EXORBITANT REPAIR COST ARE NOT PUT IN JEOPARDY. *TR

JANUARY 14TH 2015 WHILE DRIVING DURING THE NIGHT, ALL OF THE HEADLIGHTS EXCEPT FOR LOW BEAMS QUIT WORKING. THIS CAUSED A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY ON UNLIT ROADS BECAUSE OF REQUIRING TO DRIVE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. THESE HEADLIGHTS HAD BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE ONE OF THEM BURNED OUT ON DEC 7, 2011 WHEN THE CAR HAD 38,640 MILES ON IT. WE WERE TOLD THE ORIGINAL BULBS WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE NEW BULBS WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND WE EVENTUALLY WERE REIMBURSED. WHEN THESE BULBS BURNED OUT WE WERE TOLD BY TWO DEALERS (SEBRING, FL AND CLEVELAND, TN) THAT THE REAL PROBLEM WAS THE MODULES AND THAT THEY WOULD NEED REPLACED AT A COST OF WELL OVER $2,000. TOTAL TIME FOR REPLACEMENTS LASTED 3 YEARS 1 MONTH AND ~62,000 MILES. 3 SETS OF HEADLIGHTS REQUIRED IN SLIGHTLY OVER 5 1/2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. TOYOTA USA HAS REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR CAR. *TR

NO HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS JUST LOW BEAM. HARD TO SEE. WE GOT THIS USED CAR 1 1/2 YRS AGO WITHOUT HIGHBEAMS. TOYOTA WANTS TO CHG ME 500$ TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AND EXTRA 2000$. I FOUND A LETTER TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER THAT THESE HEADLAMPS MAY HAVE A SHORT LIFE AND THEY WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ASSEMBLY AND NEW BULB. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT ONLY AGGRAVATION. NO SATISFACTION ON HELPING ME TO REPLACE THIS EXPENSIVE BULB PROBLEM WHICH OCCURRED. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECTIFIED THIS BEFORE SELLING IT TO US. IT IS THEIR PROBLEM TO REPLACE THIS ASSEMBLY AND NEW BULBS NOT MINE. THEY SOLD US A MALFUNCTIONING HEADLAMP UNIT. *TR

TURNED ON ENGINE AND TURNED ON HIGH BEAMS. BULBS SHATTERED. TOOK TO THE BOBBY RAHAL DEALER. TOLD THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF FIVE YEARS HAD LAPSED. WAS UNDER THE 72000 MILEAGE LIMIT, HOWEVER.. HAD TO PAY $166 TO JUST REPLACE THE BULBS. TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HOUSING WOULD COST $900. THIS IS A FACTORY DESIGN DEFECT AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE INSTALLATION OF A REDESIGNED HOUSING. IF THE DESIGN WAS FAULTY FROM THE ONSET, WHY AREN'T ALL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES BEING REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER? THE INTERNET CONTAINS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED FATALITIES SO I GUESS THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR IS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY....