2006 Toyota Avalon problems
Owners have filed 449 complaints about the 2006 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA. Vehicle speed control accounts for 22.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 12.7%.
Complaints449
Crashes73
Fires3
Injuries52
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Vehicle speed control 22.9% · 103
Engine and engine cooling 12.7% · 57
Power train 11.8% · 53
Steering 7.8% · 35
Air bags 6.0% · 27
Unknown or other 5.6% · 25
Structure 4.9% · 22
Service brakes, hydraulic 4.0% · 18
Severity
Of those complaints, 73 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 52 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 17 model years of the Toyota Avalon in this data, 2006 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 23 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 45,000 miles.
In owners' own words
My 2006 Toyota Avalon is equipped with a laser cruise control. On 06/14/08, I was using the control when it failed. I was forced to suddenly apply the brakes to avoid crashing into the vehicle traveling in front of me on interstate 495. I have tested the unit several times since the initial failure and found it to be intermittent and unreliable. I have found it is unsafe to use the system. Vehicle speed control · reported at 50,000 miles
I have a 2006 Toyota Avalon. I took it in a few weeks ago to have the accelerator recall problem "fixed". Today (3/14), I was traveling thru a shopping center parking lot at 10 to 12 mph. As I touched the brake, the car started to accelerate, grinding thru the brakes. I pushed it into neutral and jammed the brake. There was a very loud "thunk" and the car stopped and ceased trying to accelerate. Vehicle speed control · reported at 58,900 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. While attempting to accelerate onto the highway ramp, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floor. She used her right foot to separate the accelerator pedal from the floor of the vehicle. She was able to discontinue the unintended vehicle acceleration. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 19000. Vehicle speed control · reported at 19,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…