2001 Toyota Avalon: steering wheel locks up

Filed Sep 7, 2014 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · AZ

Drove vehicle to work in am. Noticed key didn't "catch" first time, thought it was human error and wrote it off and drove to work. Went to leave work and turned key in ignition, lights and radio light up but key freely turned like butter and steering felt tighter than normal. Could not start vehicle. Had mechanic remove ignition assembly on site to determine that the linkage in between the lock cylinder and ignition switch had a broken metal piece stuck off into the switch. This linkage is contained in a metal housing unit with 3 holes. Went to toyota dealer and asked for the linkage part, was shown the housing unit it was contained in, only available from toyota. Was told by employee that the piece he was showing me came off a car like mine they had just repaired because of a recall on the steering lock bar, this piece is connected to the piece that I need to replace. I feel my issue occurred between driving and parking at my work and it is because of the recall on this piece. Car is now at toyota dealership, so far they have picked up the towing bill but given me grief that I have a "13 year old car" regardless of the car's age I feel that if that piece I need came off a repaired car due to recall, they need to cover the bill for this repair.

Filed Feb 12, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 108,000 miles · WI

Horn sounded squeaky, then inoperative. Airbag light went on. Cruise no longer worked. Toyota diagnosed the spiral cable a/k/a clock needed replacement. Other vehicles, including toyotas, had recalls on this. It should not have malfunctioned at this age of the car, only 108,000 miles. Should have been a recall, paid by toyota. It cost me nearly $500 to get it fixed. Maybe the cable was damaged when the steering lock bar was fixed, on a previous recall (years prior).???

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Steering · 67,000 miles · MD · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota avalon. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving 2 MPH and he began to smell a burning odor. The vehicle was shut off and towed to an independent repair shop. The contact was informed that the crank shaft pulley came apart and two of the belts were disengaged as a result. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and the current mileages were 67,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2011 · Airbags, Steering · LA · crash

3/30/11 coming out of a right hand turn, it looked like the steering locked into a position which caused the driver to lose the ability to steer. The car slid and the driver's side door was crushed into a tree. The driver side airbag did not work. The driver was injured and was later pronounced dead at the hospital from internal injuries. The car has been preserved at a storage facility in texas since shortly after the accident. It is available for inspection. Not sure whether the gas pedal stuck or not. I was told that there was a black box in these cars which could possibly lead to answers. The steering on the vehicle was recalled and the vehicle was brought to the toyota dealership for the repair in january 2011. I have copies of the repair bill. Please see that no others are hurt. Updated 10/31/11

Filed Aug 27, 2010 · Steering · 132,500 miles · CA

2001 toyota avalon while driving in a residental area and turing right from one street to another, the steering wheel locked and I was unable to straighten the wheel. I had to apply the brakes to avoid running into a residentail wall. After applying the brakes, I moved the transmission from drive to neutral and then reverse. The steering wheel unlocked. I drove the two blocks to my home and had the car towed to the nearest toyota dealership. They say they have fixed the problem.