2000 Toyota Avalon
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 34 of 173 complaints (20%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (18) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 92 in 1999 to 173 in 2000.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2000 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850 | 2,850 | 2,850 | 2,950 | 2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19 / 27 | 19 / 27 | 19 / 27 | 18 / 27 | 19 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404 | 404 | 404 | 423 | 404 | |
| Complaints filed | 178 | 92 | 173 | 134 | 116 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 15 | 43 | 34 | 32 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 9 | 30 | 25 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Toyota Avalon have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2000 Toyota Avalon?
Steering: 34 of 173 NHTSA complaints (20%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Toyota Avalon get?
EPA rates it 22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2000 Toyota Avalon?
EPA estimates $2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 34 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 28 | 17 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 21 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
STEERING · Campaign 10V345000 · Jul 29, 2010
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 00V154000 · Jun 7, 2000
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT, THE REAR AXLE MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH IN SOME AREAS.
Consequence: AFTER EXTENDED USE OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS COULD FAIL OR BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLIES.