Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Two times the power steering locked/hard to turn momentarily while driving and turning. Check power steering fluid full and no leak, power steering belt is good. Stop driving the car for now. First incident happened on Dec. 15 and the second last Dec. 23.
This incident happened on February 10, 2015 while I was driving to work, I took this ramp at 30 MPH which is a left tuning curve that takes you to the highway. At the end of the ramp I had to gradually accelerate and make a moderate right turn to join the highway traffic. After finishing the right turn, I couldn't keep the car running straight on the highway. The steering wheel was locked and I wasn't able to steer the vehicle. The vehicle kept on going the right turn and crashed into a guard rail causing the bumper cover, bumper reinforcement, wind shield washer tank, front bumper grill and left and right lights to be damaged. The steering system and its components are in good working condition. This accident happened because "steering interlock assembly" recall of July 29, 2010 (NHTSA campaign number: 10V345000) was not done to my 2000 Toyota Avalon. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel locked without warning. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove over a curb, spun around on the opposite side of the road, and crashed into a bridge. A police report was filed. The driver suffered neck and back injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2004 GMC envoy xuv. The contact purchased the vehicle in 12/04, and had a warranty for 3 years. The contact stated that in December 2006 the vehicle was in a rear end crash. The contact took the vehicle to be repaired in December 2006, and the repairs have not been made to date because of unavailable parts. The contact wanted the vehicle to be either repaired or repurchased. An agreement was reached with the manufacturer to repurchase the vehicle. The contact and manufacturer were supposed to go to settlement on February 9, 2007, and the manufacturer has not responded to the contact since he signed the settlement agreement and faxed it back to them on February 5, 2007. The contact stated that gmcwas not in compliancewith the agreement by not having the parts to repair the vehicle. …
My 2000 Toyota Avalon steering would randomly lockup when making turns. The pin that locks up the steering wheel for theft protection would activate while driving down the road which in turn would lock the steering up making it impossible to steer the vehicle. My son was driving the car when the steering locked up when he was making a right turn running car into the curb. A week later I was making a left turn and the steering locked causing me to veer into oncoming traffic. Luckily there was very little traffic and I avoided a collision. My Toyota dealership had no explaination for the problem. The estimate for replacing the part with labor would be about $800.00. I had a mechanic at a local garage just remove the locking device for $200.00 and not replace it.
This is an intermitend problem and it happens when starting on the car. To turn the car on I have to take the steering wheel and forcefully turn it left and right. Move also the shifter to neutral. I also try to press the brake at the same time. Mechanics have not been able to duplicate the problem. The car was also checked by a Toyota dealer and the problem was not identified. The battery and the cables are working properly. Now it is happening very often and creating a security and safety issue. I checked the recalls for this car associated with this situation I did not find an answer although I have read lots of related complains. I am planning to change the ignition or the starter but probably is a try and error solution.
Dt: the consumer was involved in an accident and the air bags did not deploy. There was no indication that the air bags would not deploy. The manufacturer was called and the consumer is waiting for a reply. The dealer had not been contacted yet. The driver sustained bruises to her sternum, abdomen and left side from the seat belt. The cruise control was on when all of a sudden a hail storm hit and instantly changed the road into ice. The consumer swerved from the outer lane across the highway and into the median where the vehicle struck two vehicles. The traction control did not activate and the steering had become inoperative. The traction control was non-existent on all 4 wheels.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. While driving 10 MPH in rainy weather conditions, the steering wheel locked completely without assistance. The unexpected failure caused steering difficulty and the contact crashed into a parked vehicle on the street. The police was called to the scene and a report was filed. There were no injuries; however, both vehicles sustained minor damages. Suddenly, the vehicle began to steer normally and was driven to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was related to the steering column. The vehicle is currently being repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 124,000.
When making a right turn from southbound eastern ave. To west bound warm springs the steering wheel locked in the turned position causing the car to go over a curb nearly hitting a utility pole. The right front wheel was bent and that tire was destroyed and the front end likely knocked out of alignment. In other circumstances a disastrous crash could easily have occurred. I have a phone call in to a Toyota dealer to fix things.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. When the contact was attempted to make a right turn at 5 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly locked causing the contact to crash into a vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the steering lock needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 114000.
Related recalls
Steering
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 could break.
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.
Steering complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Toyota Avalon, 20% of the model year's 173 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Avalon steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-345 (steering, Jul 29, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Avalon steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering 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.