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2000 Toyota Avalon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2000 Toyota Avalon has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering wheel lock-up while driving.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Toyota Avalon.

Reported to NHTSA

Steering wheel lock-up while driving

STEERING

21 NHTSA complaints · 2005-06 → 2018-10

“WHILE I WAS TURNING A 90 DEGREE RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCKED UP WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10290870
“UPON LEAVING A STREET PARKING LOCATION AND PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED FORCING THE VEHICLE TO PROCEED IN THE "FROZEN" DIRECTION INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10195138
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10308238

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel reflection in windshield

VISIBILITY

14 NHTSA complaints · 2000-05 → 2002-04

“AT NIGHT THERE IS A GREEN GLOW FROM THE DASH LIGHTS THAT REFLECTS ONTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, OBSCURING MY VIEW TO THE ROAD AHEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #735777
“SUN REFLECTS OFF OF INSTRUMENT PANEL BAZEL INTO WINDSHIELD AT DRIVER EYE LEVEL BLINDING DRIVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #749436
“DASHBOARD LIGHTING REFLECTS IN THE WINDSHEILD WHICH INTERFERS WITH VISION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #862170

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire sidewall bulges, blowouts and separations

TIRES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2000-08 → 2018-07

“ON 5/3/2003, MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A HIGH SPEED BLOWOUT (@75 MPH) DRIVING A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10016987
“TWO LARGE BULGES ON INSIDE SIDEWALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10904449
“KELLY TIRE IMMEDIATE AND UNEXPLAINED SIDEWALL TIRE FAILURE - TRAVELING 65MPH ON I-95 NEAR RICHMOND, VIRGINIA AT NIGHT (9PM)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861600

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

19 NHTSA complaints · 2002-11 → 2019-09

“MY FATHER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN A RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION IN MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10695106
“DRIVING BETWEEN 10-15 MPH IN AN OPEN PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (RPMS BETWEEN 7-8). APPLIED BRAKES TO NO AVAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10460079
“AFTER ABOUT 5 YEARS, MY 2000 TOYOTA AVALON BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE OCCASIONAL CONTINUED ACCELERATION ("STICKING OF GAS MECHANISM") WHEN I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10306017

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine oil sludge and engine failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2001-08 → 2010-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10177712
“ANYTIME VEHICLE IS STARTED UP MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT FROM REAR FOR AS LONG AS 3 MINUTES, AND VEHICLE RUNS HARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #895013
“OUR 2000 TOYOTA AVALON 6 CYLINDER ENGINE SHUT DOWN DUE TO OIL SLUDGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10315745

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a collision

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2000-08 → 2023-01

“MY WIFE WAS HIT BROADSIDE BY ANOTHER CAR THAT RAN A RED LIGHT @~50 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10136622
“WHILE MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 MPH, ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IMPACTED PASSENGER'S SIDE OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #897502
“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10011498

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illuminated

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2000-04 → 2019-10

“VEHICLE TAKEN IN SERVICE DEPARTMENTS 3 DIFFERANT TIEMS WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON, TECH UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AT ANY SERVICE LOCATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #721194
“MULTIPLE TIMES, MY AIR BAG INDICATOR HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #748558
“THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. POSSIBLE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10579352

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal to floor and reduced braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

9 NHTSA complaints · 1999-12 → 2025-04

“WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN AN PANIC SITUATION PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #854567
“CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10025014
“WHEN MY WIFE STOPPED AT THE 4TH SIGN, MY BREAK PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HIT HER REAR END AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #732202

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

164 crashes 1990–2024

How the 164 occupant deaths break down

121

driver deaths

43

passenger deaths

164

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

44

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Toyota Avalon reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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