Most common 2001 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of the 134 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Avalon complaints by model year
Best Avalon years: 2017, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998. Compare all years →
2001 Toyota Avalon recalls (2)
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.
Structure › Frame and members
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front sub frame assembly has not been adequately welded.
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…
What 2001 Toyota Avalon owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 24 →
On June 23, 2001 my father was driving a two-week-old 2001 Toyota Avalon on wv route 2 near huntington, wv. According to eye witness accounts, my father was driving north at an accelerating speed and quickly came upon another northbound car from the rear. He cut over in the oncoming lane, passed the car, returned to the northbound lane and continued out of sight. The driver of the car estimated my father was traveling probably 90 MPH. At the intersection of three mile and wv route 2, my father's car left the right side of the roadway, continuing at a high rate of speed across a grassy yard and over a knoll, where the car became airborne and flipped multiple times according to a second witness. The car tore through some tree limbs, then sheared a telephone pole and came to rest in the ditch next to the highway. My father was killed instantly. …
On 11/26/2005 I experienced an acceleration problem with my 2001 Toyota Avalon while backing my car into our garage. While slowly backing in, the car accelerated & I backed into our family room wall. I put the car in drive, the engine continued to rev up and the car shot out of the garage like a bullet (one neighbor witnessed it). I quickly turned to avoid a 2nd neighbor's brick house across the street, braking didn't seem to help. I hit a 3rd neighbor's car parked in his drive and ended up in a 4th neighbor's drive on my side of the street!. As I got out of the car, I remember saying to the 1st neighbor that I couldn't stop the car. It's a miracle I didn't hit neighbor #2 who is always out in his yard, any one of a number of kids or people who walk their dogs in the neighborhood or another vehicle coming down the street. I was also not injured. …
Air bags all 21 →
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 warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 92,000.
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 AVALON 2001 Vin [redacted] I contact COMPANY TOYOTA in USA For complaint , and to request recall AIRBAG , But I am not company TOYOTA to solve AIRBAG for me after accident I report into POLICE PLEASANT HILL , , This accident at Parking lot and TRUNK car was damage and the right light was damage too , But AIRBAG none open , after some day the light AIRBAG open on the screen
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the check engine and catalytic converter warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 189,047.
I have an oil engine sludge problem that Toyota is trying to place the cause on my shoulders. My husband performed oil changes at regular intervals at about 4500 miles between each change. Twice we have had other change the oil. Once the dealership and once a texaco express lube, both which we were able to obtain receipts for. The problem began when we did not save the receipts from our oil and filter purchases. Any and all work done on the car was entered into our maintanance manual. A few years back we received a letter from Toyota explaining the sludge problem and what they would do if it occurred. Evidently what they said isn't worth the paper it was written on. They want me to pay $750 to the dealership before they will do any work on the car. $250 is for incidential work that might have to be done in relation to the sludge problem and the other $500 is a deductable. …
2001 Toyota Avalon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Avalon a good car?
Based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Avalon rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Avalon at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Avalon?
The speed control & acceleration — 24 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the air bags (21) and engine & cooling (15).
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Avalon have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Avalon, the most recent from July 29, 2010 (steering). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Avalon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 1998. See the full Toyota Avalon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Avalon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.