Lemon Law Center

on certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. in this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the srs system is activated during a crash.

Corrective Action

this may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the specific srs air bag. the recall began on april 6, 2006. owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371, scion at 1-866-548-1851, or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

2005 Toyota Avalon

Component

Steering:Column

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger vehicles, the steering yoke was not welded to the steering shaft. if the vehicle is operated in this condition, there is a possibility that the yoke may come off from the shaft, and could result in a loss of vehicle steering control.

Corrective Action

loss of control of the vehicle could result in a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the steering yoke and shaft weld condition, and replace the steering column assembly free of charge. the recall began on may 2, 2005. owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2005 Toyota Avalon

Component

Air Bags

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the specific srs air bag. the recall began on april 6, 2006. owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371, scion at 1-866-548-1851, or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

2001 Toyota Avalon

Component

Structure:Frame And Members

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the front sub frame assembly has not been adequately welded.

Corrective Action

this condition could cause failure of the assembly following long-term usage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and replace the front sub frame, if necessary. owner notification began april 9, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

2000 Toyota Avalon

Component

Suspension:Rear

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles. due to improper heat treatment, the rear axle may not have adequate strength in some areas.

Corrective Action

after extended use of the vehicle, the rear axle shafts could fail or break.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and replace the rear axle hub assemblies.

1999 Toyota Avalon

Component

Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft Controller

Consequence of Defect

equipment description: aftermarket theft deterrent systems used on 1998-1998 toyota rav4, avalon, and sienna model vehicles distributed by southeast toyota distributors, inc. in the states of alabama, florida, georgia, north and south carolina. the alarm wiring harness plugs into the vehicle's ignition switch and the vehicle's ignition switch wiring harness plugs into the alarm harness to complete the circuit. a percentage of the female terminals used in the alarm connector were found to be defective, causing an "open circuit" condition when mated to the male ignition switch terminals.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause intermittent performance of the vehicle's electrical components such as the dash warning lights and/or hvac fan speed controls. also, the vehicle may not run smoothly and could stall.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the date code label on the security system harness and any displaying the manufacturing/final date code will be replaced with newly produced harnesses. the date codes are: rav4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; sienna - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; and avalon - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, and 9/3/98.

1998 Toyota Avalon

Component

Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft Controller

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

1997 Toyota Avalon

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan,minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, noth dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. a condition can occur where accumulated moisture can temporarily freeze in the brake vacuum hose if the vehicle is used in extremely cold climates for an extended period of time.

Corrective Action

this can result in the elimination of vacuum assist to the brakes that can increase stopping distances and could lead to a vehicle crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a new design brake vacuum hose.