2020 Toyota Avalon: Recalls, Complaints & California Lemon Law

A couple of months ago, my car started running a little rough as it would sit in idle mode. When suddenly my check engine light came on. I checked the codes and they seemed to be P0445 Evaporitive emission system leak detected (large leak). And P0441 Evaporative emission system. Incorrect Purge Flow. P0505 Idle control system. And P0171 System to Lean Bank 1 and P0174 System to Lean. Bank 2 and P0172 System Too Rich and P1170 and P117B Manufacture Control. But other then just running a little rough at idle that was about all that I had noticed until I went to go fuel up back in October. My fuel was low so I went to fuel up and after wards, my car struggled really hard to start. And every time since that days it’s progressively gotten worse. Last week I kept my car running while I fueled up and as I drove away from the gas station, my car just stalled out completely. It took me about an hour and a half before my car would start again. I was waiting for the tow truck to come get me and thank God inc checked it one more time and it started. Now just recently, when I put my car in park the engine immediately Reva up super high. It started to wine really loud and rpm go through the roof. Until I shut the car off. So I am unable to sit in idle at all anymore. I decided to Google what could be going on with my car and then I seen this recall on the fuel pump off some Toyota Avalon 2019 & 2020 models. But much to my surprise, my Vin/Vehicle is not listed. Will Toyota still replace the fuel pump for free? Please contact me as soon as possible. I really need to address this issue. Thank You!

NHTSA #11703613

When refueling vehicle, gasoline backs up immediately, doesn't shut off gas hose and pours out all over vehicle and feet of person refueling. Today is the 4th time it's happened. It's been to Gettle Toyota of Lakewood in Bradenton FL for this exact complaint and was told there's nothing wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA #11556756

This has happened 3 times now. When putting gas in and the pump kicks off fuel gushes out of the tank. I only had a quarter of a tank at the time. Only got $1 worth in the last time this happened. If you try to put more fuel in pump will kick off then it just pushes fuel out all over the ground, which could easily cause a fire. Took to the dealer today to get this on record, had a full tank so they did not not try to gas it up. Get no warning that this is going to happen. On all 3 occasions I was able to gas up without an issue the next day.

NHTSA #11444624

To Whom It May Concern, I am filing this complaint to report Right Toyota in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Toyota Motor Corporation for their mishandling of a critical airbag safety recall (23TA15) on my 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. The lack of transparency, misleading information, and failure to provide a remedy has left me with a vehicle that is unsafe to drive and has caused significant financial hardship. 1. Right Toyota never informed me of the recall, despite multiple service visits throughout the year. I only discovered this issue through my insurance company in August 2024. 2. I scheduled service appointments with Right Toyota on August 23rd and October 15th, 2023, after learning about the recall. Each time, I was told that there was no remedy available, and I was not offered any alternative solutions or a loaner vehicle. Toyota’s Brand Engagement Team later confirmed that a remedy for my specific vehicle is not expected until March 2026. 3. I called Right Toyota back after the manufacturer told me the dealership was meant to solve this issue by offering me a loaner vehicle or buying my car off me. I spoke to Jason Murdoch who informed it was preposterous to think they would offer me a loaner vehicle until 2026 and that the only option he could offer is buying my car off me 8K negative on what I still owe on my car loan. He told me the dealerships hands were tied unless NHTSA or the manufacturer gave specific instructions for me. 4. I have since relocated to Hawaii, where I cannot use the vehicle due to safety concerns. I am still making loan payments on a car that I cannot drive, and Right Toyota’s refusal to offer any assistance has placed me in a difficult situation. I request that Toyota and Right Toyota either: Repurchase the Vehicle: Take back the vehicle and pay off the remaining loan balance. Provide an Immediate Solution: If repurchasing is not possible, arrange for a free airbag repair or provide a rental vehicle until the remedy is available.

NHTSA #11625964

TIE ROD LOOSE I heard a clunking noise while turning the steering wheel to the left at very low speeds. Took car in for service Service Mechanic found left outer tie rod end "with play, loose" Safety issue: potential loss of steering ability while driving Vehicle has been inspected and repaired - (my cost $1308.94) - images attached No warning messages / appeared about a month before I went in... it became progressively worse with time

NHTSA #11602383

on 3 lane expressway (US422)about 1/4 mile from where the lanes split( see attached). No cars in front of me but cars in the lane to my left slowed. My car suddenly braked causing the car behind me to swerve to my right to avoid a collision. The adaptive breaking (incorrectly) determined that there was a collision hazard, thus creating an actual collision hazard

NHTSA #11476773

I represent the family of a fatally injured rollaway victim. It is on their behalf I am reporting the circumstances of this incident and to strongly urge that NHTSA update the rollaway requirements specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114. On August 22, 2020, It is believed that while attempting to retrieve the key fob, the driver inadvertently bumped the gear selector forward into Neutral, releasing the torque to the wheels that had kept it stationary on their sloped driveway. (Unlike shifting out of the Park position, which requires application of the brake pedal and depressing the lock button on the shift selector, the shift selector can be moved from Drive forward into the Neutral position, without a secondary interlocking action.) The drivers wife, who was behind the vehicle. was pinned by the car and dragged under to her death. The position of the transmission gear selector was not documented by any witnesses or first responders when the vehicle eventually came to rest on the opposite side of the road, not is it documented in the extensive data stored within the vehicle. However, the data retrieved from the subject vehicle during a subsequent inspection revealed that the Vehicle Control History (VCH) included a field for “Driver Exited Vehicle When Shift Position Wasn’t P” which showed that at the time of the incident that is exactly what happened. Finally, there is ample evidence to support the need for an upgrade of the rollaway provisions within FMVSS 114 – as the facts above show. It’s not enough for a safety agency to simply allow manufacturers to do so voluntarily. . Instead, the Toyota was content to collect the data and blame the driver for an event that it clearly knows occurs and has extensive information about, but fails to prevent. The public needs to rely on NHTSA to promulgate updated regulations that meet the safety needs presented to drivers of modern vehicles.

Allegedly reported: 1 death (as reported to NHTSA). NHTSA #11426884

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, WHEN THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT ANY OBJECT CAUSING THE IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER HERITAGE TOYOTA OWINGS MILLS (9801 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117: (844) 202-9429), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUNROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,937.

NHTSA #11416402