2001 Toyota Avalon Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 7%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 121,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Toyota Avalon, 7% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,250 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my 2001 Toyota Avalon on the freeway. A car cut me off so I swerved to avoid it. After that, I could not control the steering in my car. I headed toward a wall and tried to turn away from it, but the steering did not respond even though I was turning the steering wheel. I crashed head first into the wall.”
NHTSA complaint #10362253, filed 2010-10, 110,000 miles“2001 Toyota Avalon while driving in a residental area and turing right from one street to another, the steering wheel locked and I was unable to straighten the wheel. I had to apply the brakes to avoid running into a residentail wall. After applying the brakes, I moved the transmission from drive to neutral and then reverse. The steering wheel unlocked. I drove the two blocks to my home and had the car towed to the nearest Toyota dealership. They say they have fixed the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10352399, filed 2010-08, 132,500 miles“Toyota keeps sending me safety recall notices, but the Toyota dealership here in the united states virgin islands(usvi) refuses to do the work. They keep saying my vehicle is not in their system, and they won't put it in their system. How do I solve this problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10501910, filed 2013-03“The contact owned a 2001 Toyota Avalon. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment after the vehicle rolled over three times. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises and cuts to the body, injuries to the neck, both knees, and the left ankle. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10970903, filed 2017-04, 200,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving 2 MPH and he began to smell a burning odor. The vehicle was shut off and towed to an independent repair shop. The contact was informed that the crank shaft pulley came apart and two of the belts were disengaged as a result. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and the current mileages were 67,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10436056, filed 2011-11, 67,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V345000Jul 29, 2010Toyota 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…Covers: Toyota Avalon 2000–2004
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 4 | 17% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 31 | 29% |
| 2010 | 10 | 22% |
| 2009 | 18 | 20% |
| 2008 | 17 | 5% |
| 2007 | 16 | 7% |
| 2006 | 35 | 10% |
| 2005 | 42 | 18% |
| 2004 | 28 | 14% |
| 2003 | 19 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 16% |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% |
| 2000 | 34 | 20% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 40 | 32% |
| 1996 | 10 | 9% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Avalon
24 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 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 29, 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