2000 Toyota Avalon steering problems

The 2000 Toyota Avalon has 34 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Steering complaints

15%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Avalon steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V345000SteeringJuly 29, 2010 · 372,593 units

Defect

TOYOTA 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 MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE LOCK BAR. SUCH A CRACK MAY EXPAND OVER A LONG PERIOD OF REPEATED LOCK AND UNLOCK OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LOCK BAR COULD BREAK.

Consequence

SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

What owners report

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60-65 MPH , STEERED TO RIGHT TO AVOID RAGE ROAD AND THEN MADE A SHARP LEFT ,LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE , AND HIT A CONCRETE BRIDGE HEAD-ON, AND THEN ROLLED OVER 5 TIMES. DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF AIRBAGS BEING INOPERATIVE.*AK *JB CONSUMER STATES SIDE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · crash

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2000 Toyota Avalon have?

NHTSA has 34 complaints about the 2000 Toyota Avalon steering — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2000 Toyota Avalon steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 10V345000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.