MYRModel Year Report

2002 Toyota Avalon

● Typical for this model
2002 Toyota Avalon
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:55:30.806Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
116
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 116 2003: 293 complaints 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 116 2003: 293 complaints 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 116 2003: 293 complaints 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints

2002: 116 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201542
201623
201714
201824
201971
202010
202121
20228

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

30% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact applied excessive force to the brakes again but the brakes failed to respond.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-21

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver of the vehicle crashed into a cement divider on the highway. The air bags did not deploy. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-06

The vehicle was involved in a head on collision while driving 15 MPH yet the frontal air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-01

Vehicle speed control

22% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Moving my car from a to b put it in reverse it just took off by it self. It was going so fast I could not stop it even pressing the breaks it still went fast on it on. I started screaming why this car going so fast and why I can't stop it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-16

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving 1 MPH and going through a car wash, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a vehicle directly in front of it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-09

Steering

16% · 18 reports
CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

15% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving on a highway when the car accelerated by itself, brakes did not work.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-03-26

Tires

6% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicles driver side rear tire blew out while driving 55 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-01

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2010-09-07Steering10V345000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V345000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Toyota Avalon is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Avalon?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Avalon have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.