Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Avalon, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 14% |
| Air bags | 14 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 9% |
| Tires | 9 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 6% |
| Power train | 8 | 6% |
| Visibility | 7 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4% |
| Steering | 6 | 4% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
this car involve accident AIR BAG none deploy , right side , rear side, left side were damage serious but AIR BAG none deploy , and now the light AIRBAG to be open on the screen I petition into OFFICE to request for our
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 d
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact stated that the son owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. While the son was driving approximately 5 mph, a second vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. The contact
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 n
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAVE REPLACED O2 SENSORS TWICE TO GET RID OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR CODES THAT HAVE POPPED YOU P1135 & P1155. TOOK CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT IS S
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER BROTHER WAS STOPPED AT A SIGN, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FROM THE REAR.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WE WENT TO GET OUR TRUCK INSPECTED AT AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T INSPECT IT BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS TO RUSTED. WE CONTACTED OUR TOYOTA DEALER OVER THE TELEPHONE AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND SA
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
ON 4/21/14, I PURCHASED 2 CROSSWIND TIRES(20560R16) THE SELLER GAVE ME, IN WRITING, TREAD WEAR WARRANTY OF 50,000 MILES. HOWEVER, I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN APPROX. 19,000 MILES AND 90% OF TREADS ARE GONE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2001 Toyota Avalon. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 EVENTUAL
Risk: SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 83 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 19 of them (14%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.