The 2001 Toyota Avalon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 373,138 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING10V3450002010-07-29372,593 affected
Defect
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…
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.
STRUCTURE01V0720002001-03-05545 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
21
14crashes7injuries2deaths
AIR BAGS
15
12crashes9injuries1deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
STEERING
8
3crashes1fires2injuries1deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
TIRES
7
1crashes3injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
6
5crashes2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4
Total complaints168
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I petition into usa to request company toyota avalon to should be recall airbag , because in the time our car was involve accident airbag to did not open , after some day the light airbag appear , it is mean airbag none good , all picture our car were damage I submitted into dmv our car toyota…”
“I petition into usa to request company toyota avalon to should be recall airbag , because in the time our car was involve accident airbag to did not open , after some day the light airbag appear , it is mean airbag none good , all picture our car were damage I submitted into dmv our car toyota…”
“The contact stated that the son owns a 2001 toyota avalon. While the son was driving approximately 5 mph, a second vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. The contact indicated that after the crash the air bag light activated and remained…”
“The contact owns a 2001 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while her son was driving at low speeds in a parking area, he was involved in a collision with the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The air bag…”
“This car involve accident air bag none deploy , right side , rear side, left side were damage serious but air bag none deploy , and now the light airbag to be open on the screen I petition into office to request for our car to be recall airbag , this is car run was 92k mile this air bag none open…”
“I have replaced o2 sensors twice to get rid of the check engine light for codes that have popped you p1135 & p1155. Took car to two different mechanics and toyota dealership and no one could figure out why the light is still on. All sensors have been replaced with denso parts. This seems like a…”
“I have replaced o2 sensors twice to get rid of the check engine light for codes that have popped you p1135 & p1155. Took car to two different mechanics and toyota dealership and no one could figure out why the light is still on. All sensors have been replaced with denso parts. This seems like a…”
“Tl* the contact owned a 2001 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while her brother was stopped at a sign, a vehicle crashed into another vehicle causing that vehicle to crash into the contact's vehicle from the rear. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact stated…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Toyota Avalon as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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