NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 183 owner complaints for the 2000 Toyota Avalon. Most complaints involve steering (34) and air bags (26). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined.
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. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Avalon model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 113 |
| 1997 | 128 |
| 1998 | 186 |
| 1999 | 94 |
| 2000 | 183 |
| 2001 | 139 |
| 2002 | 142 |
| 2003 | 305 |
| 2004 | 205 |
| 2005 | 228 |
| 2006 | 360 |
| 2007 | 243 |
| 2008 | 349 |
| 2009 | 91 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 160 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2015 | 54 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 8 |
“Two times the power steering locked/hard to turn momentarily while driving and turning. Check power steering fluid full and no leak, power steering belt is good. Stop driving the car for now. First incident happened on Dec. 15 and the second last Dec. 23.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SPONTANEOUSLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SUBARU FORESTER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED TEAM TOYOTA OF GLEN MILLS (1050 BALTIMORE PIKE, GLEN MILLS, PA 19342, (484) 407-0835) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,350. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
“GOOD AFTERNOON ,MY NAME IS [XXX] AND SOME TIME AGO .I WAS CONTACTED BY THE OFFICE OF [XXX] CONCERNING THE FACTORY DEFECT THAT MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AND MAY HAVE EVEN KILLED DRIVERS THROUGH THE EXPOSURE OF CARBON MONOXIDE.TOYOTA EXECUTIVE CONTINUES TO DENY THIS CLAIM HOPING I WILL GO AWAY.I AM AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PROMISED INSPECTION OF MY CAR.MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN POISONED BY THE CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPING INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS.TROTTER FORD TOYOTA IN PINE BLUFF,ARKANSAS SAID THE CAR HAD CARBON MONOXIDE GOING ALL OVER THE CAR AND THAT THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS.I CONTACTED TOYOTA EXECUTIVE CEO [XXX] OFFICE .HE SENT A MAN DOWN TO INSPECT MY CAR .THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO THE CAR TRIED TO BASH ME AND IN THE PROCESS ADMITTED SEVERAL DANGEROUS COMPONENTS TO THIS CAR.I AM ASKING TO SPEAK BEFORE CONGRESS ON THIS MATTER .I DON'T CARE HOW OLD THIS CAR IS I DONT DESERVE TO BE POISONED TO DEATH BY CARBON MONOXIDE. *BF *JS [XXX] *PM *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 183 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (34), air bags (26), engine and engine cooling (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Toyota Avalon at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).