NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 142 owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Avalon. Most complaints involve air bags (36) and vehicle speed control (25). 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.
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 |
“Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002 model is affected and should be recalled for the same issue before it kills someone. Also the shifter will not not go into drive without first pushing it forward and backwards several times to engage and the green D light on the dashboard will not show up.”
“I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO LANES, THEN ACCELERATED TURN HALF ,I THINK, CRASHED (THE FRONT OF THE CAR)WITH A SMALL HILL SOME HOW DID NOT STOP AND ENDED UP SOMEHOW TURNING BACK AND CRASHED AGAIN THIS TIME THE BACK OF THE CAR CRASHED AGAINST THE HILL AND STOPPED. THE CAR SUFFERED SEVERAL BREAKS IN AND A TRANSMISION REPAIR. THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA. IT WAS PERFECT BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT WAS VERY SCARY. JUST A FEW MIN BEFORE THE CRASH I WAS PASSING A TOLL AT ABOUT 28 MPH. AFTER PASSING THE TOOL I WAS FASTER THAN THAT BUT I DO NOT LIKE TO SPEED.”
“WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN LIKE IT GET STUCK CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.I WAS DRIVING A CITY STREET WHEN I NOTICE A FEW DAYS AGO. JUST SEEING THE RECALL NOTICE.HOW LONG DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH RECALL.”
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 |
1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 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 142 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (36), vehicle speed control (25), steering (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Toyota Avalon at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).