Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING, KENTUCKY, INC.
Manufacturer Id: 1088
Model: Avalon
Model Year: 2008
Plant Company Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, inc
Plant Country: United States (USA)
Plant State: Kentucky
Seat Belts All: Manual
Series: GSX30L
TPMS: Direct
Vehicle Type: PASSENGER CAR
Model year
COMPONENT
Complaint
2005
STEERING
THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEGUN MAKING A RATHER NOTICEABLE "CLACKING" NOISE WHEN TURNING. IT CAN BE BOTH HEARD AND FELT IN THE WHEEL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, AND TOYOTA HAS PUT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN (#00206, NHTSA # 10019669)FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WANTS $930 TO REPAIR IT IF OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY'RE CLAIMING IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT A STEERING WHEEL THAT MAKES NOISES YOU CAN HEAR (AND FEEL) DOESN'T SEEM ALL THAT SAFE. *TR
2008
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL COLUMN ADJUSTMENT LEVER DROPS DOWN ALLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN TO COLLAPSE FORWARD (OR MOVE BACK IF HOLDING ON TO IT DURING VEHICLE ENTRY). LEVER INTERFERES WITH ENTRY AND EXIT OF THE VEHICLE AND HURTS THE LEG. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN IS NOT LOCKED AND IF IT COLLAPSES DURING A CRASH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO LESS EFFECTIVENESS OF THE AIRBAG. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE -- SOMETIMES UNLOCKING DAILY. *TR