2001 Toyota Avalon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 16%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Toyota Avalon, 16% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Horn sounded squeaky, then inoperative. Airbag light went on. Cruise no longer worked. Toyota diagnosed the spiral cable a/k/a clock needed replacement. Other vehicles, including toyotas, had recalls on this. It should not have malfunctioned at this age of the car, only 108,000 miles. Should have been a recall, paid by Toyota. It cost me nearly $500 to get it fixed. Maybe the cable was damaged when the steering lock bar was fixed, on a previous recall (years prior).???”
NHTSA complaint #10564135, filed 2014-02, 108,000 miles“While driving 30 MPH, the driver swerved to avoid hitting a squirrel, the vehicle left the road and hit two trees and none of the air bags deployed. Driver suffered bruises, damage to vehicle was not known. Please provide VIN number upon receipt of this complaint. Vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10034541, filed 2003-09, 30,000 miles“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 car to be recall AIRBAG , this is car run was 92K Mile this Air Bag none open any chair or It can open any time itself”
NHTSA complaint #11544855, filed 2023-09“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 deploy. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 92,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11544612, filed 2023-09, 92,000 miles“The contact owned a 2001 Toyota Avalon. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a store window. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10638744, filed 2014-09, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 12 | 57% |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 25% |
| 2017 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 4 | 17% |
| 2015 | 7 | 17% |
| 2014 | 7 | 7% |
| 2013 | 14 | 10% |
| 2012 | 6 | 20% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% |
| 2007 | 20 | 8% |
| 2006 | 27 | 8% |
| 2005 | 12 | 5% |
| 2004 | 127 | 62% |
| 2003 | 184 | 63% |
| 2002 | 35 | 30% |
| 2001 | 21 | 16% |
| 2000 | 26 | 15% |
| 1999 | 22 | 24% |
| 1998 | 16 | 9% |
| 1997 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Avalon
24 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Toyota Avalon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology