Avalon (XX20)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
1MZ-FE
3.0L 6-cyl / 184 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Toyota Avalon Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
2GR-FE
3.5L 6-cyl / 268 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Avalon, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon
On a used 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (392), the steering (106) and the brakes (71). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 392 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon about the steering.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 71 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon about the brakes.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon about the engine.
Recalls (5)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.
All Generations
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon complaints?
Owners have filed 912 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the steering and the brakes.
Is the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 912 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon have?
NHTSA has 912 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Toyota Avalon?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the steering and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Avalon have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 912 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.