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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2002 Toyota Avalon Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
3%of 116 total for the year
Median mileage
118,177miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota Avalon, 3% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,177 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“Was driving my 2002 Avalon to work this morning and it started having the acceleration issues. I didn't even have to step on the gas after stopping at a stop sign and got to 40 MPH no problem. When I finally got to work and put it in park the engine revved the gas pedal was not stuck under the floor mat. Definitely seems electronic to me. Now Toyota is charging $95 just to diagnose issue as it is outside of the years recalled. I came across a report that they are investigating as far back as my year now though. …”

NHTSA complaint #10304917, filed 2010-02, 200,000 miles

“My 2002 Toyota Avalon when put in reverse could not be stopped and went into a parked car with 2 people in it! This also happened to my 1998 Toyota Avalon twice!!”

NHTSA complaint #10314815, filed 2010-02, 84,000 miles

“Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002 model is affected and should be recalled for the same issue before it kills someone. Also the shifter will not not go into drive without first pushing it forward and backwards several times to engage and the green D light on the dashboard will not show up.”

NHTSA complaint #11641801, filed 2025-02

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202115%
20191115%
201814%
201629%
201525%
201411%
201332%
201213%
201122%
201024%
200922%
2008134%
2007239%
20065214%
20053314%
200442%
200362%
200243%
200197%
200085%
199944%
1998116%
199797%
199633%
199545%

Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Avalon

Air bags
35 complaints
Vehicle speed control
25 complaints
Steering
18 complaints
Brakes
15 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
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 30, 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