Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Avalon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
As soon as I start the car, 'check engine' light keeps coming in spite of several years of repairs and several hundred dollars spent at two Toyota dealers, and at several other garages. First time this happened was in 2005. Right now the light is on. The Toyota 2000 Avalon xl I have has serious manufacturing defects. In 2004 driver side window would not roll and cost me almost $600.00 the water pump, gasket, drive belts, engine cover and logo, etc have been changed.
'check engine' light keeps coming when driving. Since 2005, two Toyota dealers and two independent repair shops were unable to correct the problem for good. Latest repair was in September 2015 at Toyota. Check engine light is still on.
Changed engine oil as directed by Toyota dealer on my new 2000 Toyota Avalon (every 3,000 miles). White smoke started coming from exhaust in late 2001. Took it in to Toyota service dept. Was accused of not keeping up routine maintenance (oil changes) on the vehicle, as sludge had built up under valve cover and in engine. Was totally livid at this untrue accusation. Was told I needed $4,000 to repair. I had to trade the vehicle in on a new Toyota vehicle -- starting at $4,000 in the red. For example, new vehicle was approximately $26,000. To that Toyota added the $4,000 to it. I now owe $30,000 on a vehicle worth much much less. I'm enraged and want a $4,000 credit back to my balance on my new vehicle after learning of the obvious relevation that Toyota is to blame for a faulty engine problem on many of its vehicles. I work for a law firm and will stop at nothing short of this outcome. …
Driving between 10-15 MPH in an open parking lot, the car suddenly accelerated (rpms between 7-8). Applied brakes to no avail. When trying to shift to park, the car accelerated in reverse. Did manage to get car in park and shut off engine. Most horrifying experience. Very fortunate and blessed no other persons, vehicle or building was in our path. Was able to restart the car and it idled normal and exhibited no other accelerations when driving. Brought car to Toyota dealer. Diagnostics performed and found no problem. Dealer contacted Toyota corp. And notified us nothing would be done unless we contacted corporate personally to report the incident. As of this date, we now have a case number assigned from corporate and the car is back at the dealer for further assessment.
I own a Toyota Avalon 2000 with <87000; 4 weeks ago the car experienced a complete engine failure that was determined to be as a result of low oil volume most likely due to oil sludge build-up. I have regularly maintained the vehicle, and have all the receipts. The dealership has tried to avoid taking blame, but after two independent adjusted viewed the car, the dealership has put me in a loaner vehicle. I am awaiting a return call from the regional manager, but they are taking a long time to respond; they have had my car 4 weeks. I have done extensive research and found Toyota reported oil sludge problems and has covered costs of repairs. I am, however, having great difficulty getting something done with my car.
Toyota Avalon 2000 "check engine' light comes on. I take it to Toyota dealer for repair 9/1/12 . This light comes on again on 10/9/12. Toyota dealer again repairs. Light comes on again 12/14/12. Toyota dealer repairs again. Light comes on again 01/18/13. Toyota dealer repairs again. 'check engine light' comes on again 1/25/13. Toyota dealer wants to repair. I refuse. I inform Toyota dealer and Toyota corp. And request a refund of all money ($824.47) charged. No refund as of 2/8/13. On 8/18/12, the driver front window won't roll. Toyota dealer repairs it at a cost of $274.24.
I took my Avalon in because there was smoke coming from the tailpipe upon engine start. They told me that there was sludge buildup caused by the improper maintainance and that they would clean out the engine and that should help. But the fact is the car now pings so loud you can not hear the radio. No it is not the gas. They blamed the sludge problem on my maintenance. I have always kept the car up to date on the oil changes. The miles at that time were approximately 30,000. I have heard many Toyota's have the same problem. The miles I have now are 50,000.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. In the mornings, especially in cold weather, the contact makes several attempts to start the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument control panel. She called the dealer and is currently in the process of having the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that because she exceeded her warranty, they would not provide any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.
The consumer paid for repairs of timing belt, alternator belt, power steering belt, hub and wheel bearing, and o-ring on 2000 Toyota Avalon xls. Consumer VIN not included in rear hub assembly recall. The consumer had the left rear axle bearing replaced prior to receiving recall notification. The repair facility indicated that they could not honor the repairs because the vehicle was not manufactured within the limitations of the dates listed on the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was started forty-five minutes later but the vehicle would not accelerate. After twenty minutes, the vehicle begun to perform normally. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 100,000.
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Engine complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Toyota Avalon, 13% of the model year's 173 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Avalon engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Toyota Avalon, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Avalon engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.