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Electrical systemPart report

2002 Toyota Avalon Electrical system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
5%of 116 total for the year
Median mileage
137,594miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Toyota Avalon, 5% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 137,594 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“While driving home on 9/24/13 my check engine light came on, I drove right to the Toyota dealership. I was informed that the catalytic converter system was below threshold ( code p0420). This repair cost me $2,541.27. I was told this would correct the problem with my air bag light flashing. After paying for this repair my air bag light continues to flash, even though the service representative said the diagnostic did not show a code. I was previously told the code for the air bag was b0113. …”

NHTSA complaint #10550051, filed 2013-10, 191,187 miles

“2002 Toyota Avalon xls with about 84,000 miles periodically stalls when braking and turning 90 degrees at low speed at the bottom of the hill near our house. It's an intermittent problem. The engine stalls and power steering becomes inoperative making it difficult to control car until it is stopped and the engine restarted. All periodic services are accomplished by Toyota in accordance with vehicle service guide.”

NHTSA complaint #10341326, filed 2010-07, 84,000 miles

“Had driven about 10 miles. Stopped at traffic signal and noticed smoke filling passenger compartment, thought it was from car in front which had excess exhaust, rolled down window and cleared air. Drove several hundred feet and noted car fill with smoke and also coming from hood area ,stopped lifted hood to see flames coming from area at front( ie;at radiator,fan,alternator,etc.).difficulty calling fd,another truck stopped and poured 5 gal. Of water on flaming area, plastic still burned and fully put out with extinguisher. …”

NHTSA complaint #10145560, filed 2005-12, 47,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose electrical wire. The failure was not repaired. Months later, the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No further information regarding the crash was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 300,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10991192, filed 2017-05, 300,000 miles

“Headlights failed to operate correctly, resulting in taking the car to fix problem , service advisor told me that this veh vin number shows this car should not havve automatly controled headlights, the car is being serviced at cedar rapids toyota , steve lemke is the servvice advisior”

NHTSA complaint #11420513, filed 2021-06

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022113%
202115%
20191724%
201814%
2017214%
2016313%
2015410%
20141111%
20131410%
2012413%
20112524%
201037%
20091112%
20084413%
2007177%
2006164%
2005177%
2004115%
2003186%
200265%
20011410%
2000116%
199967%
19981911%
199743%
199676%
1995810%

Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Avalon

Air bags
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Avalon

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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