2000 Toyota Avalon Engine cooling Problems

“Our 2000 Toyota Avalon 6 cylinder engine shut down due to oil sludge. We had it towed to the nearest Toyota dealer (champion Toyota) where they told us the engine is dead due to the years of oil sludge. No one told us that the 2000-2002 avlon was in a quiet recall called csp to fix those engines. The figure for a new engine is $9000, we decided to take the car to a auto shop near the house where the oil sludge was cleaned. We got the car back. Within a few weeks, the car broke down on a busy highway intersection late at night. We had the car towed home as it was very late. …”

“I own a Toyota Avalon 2000 with <87000; 4 weeks ago the car experienced a complete engine failure that was determined to be as a result of low oil volume most likely due to oil sludge build-up. I have regularly maintained the vehicle, and have all the receipts. The dealership has tried to avoid taking blame, but after two independent adjusted viewed the car, the dealership has put me in a loaner vehicle. I am awaiting a return call from the regional manager, but they are taking a long time to respond; they have had my car 4 weeks. …”

“I took my Avalon in because there was smoke coming from the tailpipe upon engine start. They told me that there was sludge buildup caused by the improper maintainance and that they would clean out the engine and that should help. But the fact is the car now pings so loud you can not hear the radio. No it is not the gas. They blamed the sludge problem on my maintenance. I have always kept the car up to date on the oil changes. The miles at that time were approximately 30,000. I have heard many Toyota's have the same problem. The miles I have now are 50,000.”

“Changed engine oil as directed by Toyota dealer on my new 2000 Toyota Avalon (every 3,000 miles). White smoke started coming from exhaust in late 2001. Took it in to Toyota service dept. Was accused of not keeping up routine maintenance (oil changes) on the vehicle, as sludge had built up under valve cover and in engine. Was totally livid at this untrue accusation. Was told I needed $4,000 to repair. I had to trade the vehicle in on a new Toyota vehicle -- starting at $4,000 in the red. For example, new vehicle was approximately $26,000. To that Toyota added the $4,000 to it. …”

“The consumer paid for repairs of timing belt, alternator belt, power steering belt, hub and wheel bearing, and o-ring on 2000 Toyota Avalon xls. Consumer VIN not included in rear hub assembly recall. The consumer had the left rear axle bearing replaced prior to receiving recall notification. The repair facility indicated that they could not honor the repairs because the vehicle was not manufactured within the limitations of the dates listed on the recall.”