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BrakesPart report

2002 Toyota Avalon Brakes Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
13%of 116 total for the year
Median mileage
114,076miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Toyota Avalon, 13% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,076 miles. 4 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.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11191620, filed 2019-03, 213,830 miles

“My 2002 Toyota Avalon continued to accelerate when I took my foot off the gas peddle and depressed the brake. I tried using the brake and emergency brake to stop the car, but I could not stop the car's acceleration. My car ended up slamming into a house. It was investigated by shelby township michigan police and confirmed the accelerated was stuck. I received severe injuries in this accident including a head injury, and neck & back injuries. I am concerned about the safety of other people driving a similar car. Please investigate.”

NHTSA complaint #10726018, filed 2015-06, 155,000 miles

“While driving on the massachusetts turnpike (route 90) my Toyota Avalon suddenly turned to the left (driver's side) and struck the highway median. I had no control of my Avalon and the vehicle was unresponsive to turning the wheel and to braking.”

NHTSA complaint #10312681, filed 2010-02, 122,000 miles

“While driving 10mph, car suddenly stops, motor running normally. Collared pin in master cylinder failed causing brakes to seize with ABS and asc failure. If I had been on a freeway, I would surely have been backended or skidded on ice out of control with no way to recover.”

NHTSA complaint #10215967, filed 2008-01, 94,000 miles

“- the contact called regarding the 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact was traveling at 25 MPH when all four wheels locked. The road conditions were slippery. The vehicle did not lose power. There were no warning indicators. The failure mileage was 95,000. The vehicle would not go forward or in reverse gear. The vehicle had to be towed on a flat bed truck. The Toyota dealer determined the ABS actuator failed.”

NHTSA complaint #10182102, filed 2007-02, 95,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022113%
2021210%
2020110%
201968%
201828%
201717%
201629%
20151126%
201477%
2013129%
2012310%
201188%
201012%
20091011%
200872%
20072510%
2006288%
20052511%
200473%
2003155%
20021513%
20011410%
20002213%
199967%
1998137%
1997119%
19961211%
19951114%

Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Avalon

Air bags
35 complaints
Vehicle speed control
25 complaints
Steering
18 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 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