2006 Toyota Avalon: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 7, 2022 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while attempt to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned waiting days later to start the vehicle and noticed the burnt odor coming from the vehicle. In addition there was white smoke coming from underneath the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was wires burnt. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact the price for a diagnosis for the harness wiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2009 · Engine · 44,000 miles · CA

Car has major oil leakage on my 300+ mile drive down to la from san jose. That morning, the car is dry and fine. The car has always been maintained by the dealer. There was no indication of oil loss. The oil light did not even go on. Luckily we took a pit stop at coalinga, where we notice burning smell and smoke was every where (after the car was parked). When I checked the oil level, there was no oil left as indicated on the dipstick. The car was towed to the nearest toyota, which did not believe that there's a pending tsb on this line, so they charged us for replacing it. Up until now, I'm afraid to take the car for long distance drive. I don't know if any damage to the engine was done due to lack of oil. After I got home, I contacted local dealer, but they refuse to look at it, unless I put out money for the diagnostic. My complaint and concern is that the part that got replaced is the same part that failed. Since this is a known issue, I'm afraid this problem will repeat again in about another 44000 miles, which the car is already out of warranty. Also, the oil light never came on, so it proves very dangerous while driving on the long trip.

Filed Oct 15, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 84,444 miles · NY

I was traveling on the ny I-87 in my 2006 toyota avalon for approximately 30 minutes when the "check engine" light illuminated. Within a minute or so, the "check oil" light started blinking slowly at first, then after about 30 seconds it was on continuously. By this time I had pulled off into a gas station. As I was pulling into the station the engine was making a loud clicking noise. After it was parked, I checked the dipstick and there was no oil remaining in the engine. The underside of the car, including inside of wheels and brakes was completely coated with oil as well as the back of the trunk. Presumably from the spray underneath while traveling @ 65-70mph. I then purchased 3 quarts of oil, put it in the engine and it drained onto the ground. The mechanic stated there is a pin hole in the rubber section of the oil line. The use of a rubber hose for a pressurized flammable liquid system in this location is absolutely reckless. At a minimum, it should be some sort of armored or shielded hose. I'm amazed the car didn't start on fire from being doused with five quarts of oil leaking from the ruptured hose. The service person at the dealership indicated this is a common problem with 2006 avalons and he couldn't understand why there hasn't been a recall issued. The engine repairs caused by this defect will cost me up to $5000. Today I found at least a 1000 complaints regarding this same issue on carcomplaints.com and aboutautomobile.com. I would hate to see a death result in this issue caused by fire due to hot oil.

Filed Aug 2, 2009 · Engine · 45,000 miles · KS

For some time - several weeks - I had noticed an odor of burning oil in the passenger compartment of my 2006 toyota avalon. I was exiting the interstate and at the stoplight noticed a great amount of smoke pouring from the engine compartment. I was, fortunately, within a mile of the dealership from which I had purchased the car and drove it into their service bay. When I got out of the car I noticed that a great amount of oil was pouring out onto the floor of the service bay. The service man came over and I began to explain the circumstances of the oil leak. They immediately told me what it was - an rubber oil line. They kept the car for three days and returned it "repaired". Now after a couple of months I again notice the same smell in the passenger compartment and intend to take it as soon as I can back to the dealer. Question: why isn't toyota putting out a recall on this particular year and model of the toyota? I see that there are many similar complaints being made.

Filed Jul 10, 2009 · Engine · 39,200 miles · NC

I was traveling on the I-85 in my 2006 toyota avalon for approximately 1.5 hours when the air conditioning indicator light started blinking. Shortly thereafter the A/C shut off and the "check engine" light illuminated. Within a minute or so, the "check oil" light started blinking slowly at first, then after about 30 seconds it was on continuously. By this time I had pulled off into a gas station. As I was pulling into the station the engine was making a loud clicking noise. After it was parked, I checked the dipstick and there was no oil whatsoever in the car. As well, the right side of the engine compartment was coated with oil. The underside of the car, including the inside of the wheels and brakes was completely coated with oil as well. The back of the trunk also had a light coat of oil on it, presumably from the spray underneath while traveling @ 65-70mph. I then purchased a quart of oil, put it in the engine and it drained onto the ground. I had the car towed to town & country toyota, a charlotte dealer, who said the cause of the problem was rupture of the oil bypass hose. As I had noticed the previous night, this hose is 1) very close to the ground and subject to hits from road debris, etc. And 2) very close to the hot exhaust pipe. The use of a rubber hose for a pressurized flammable liquid system in this location is absolutely reckless. At a minimum, it should be some sort of armored or shielded hose. I'm amazed the car didn't start on fire from being doused with five quarts of oil leaking from the ruptured hose and suspect the wind from interstate speeds prevented this from happening. The service person at the dealership indicated this is a common problem with 2006 avalons and he couldn't understand why there hasn't been a recall issued. The only the engine wasn't destroyed (with 39,000 miles on it) was because I was lucky to be in a good position to pull off. Today I found the same issue documented on carcomplaints.com.

Filed Apr 28, 2009 · Engine · 62,833 miles · MD

On wednesday, april 8th I was in the state of new jersey and noticed that my car was leaking oil so I went to the service station and filled it with two quarts of oil. I was on my way home to maryland and had to stop for gas in pennsylvania so I checked the oil level in my car and found that it was very low. At this point I realized there was a serious problem so I put another two quarts in my car and contacted lancaster toyota in lancaster pennsylvania (717‑569‑7373). I explained my situation to them and they told me to bring my car in for service. My service advisor's name at lancaster toyota was ms. Sharon eshelman. Ms. Eshelman informed me that my oil cooling line also known as the vvti line had ruptured and toyota has a new replacement part that is on national back order. Lancaster toyota didn't have the new replacement part however they could put the same defective part that is a known problem back on my car at a cost of $307.09 which would allow me to get home. I picked my car up from lancaster toyota thursday, april 9th and drove it to toyota of bowie to check my engine for damage. On friday they called and said he didn't see any damage to my engine and pick the car up. I drove it directly to my son's doctor's office in crofton, md approximately 3 miles away from toyota of bowie. Put the car in park and smelled something burning and heard the engine knocking. I lifted the hood and saw oil spurting out and dripping everywhere, the oil cooling line (vvti line part no. 1570731012) had ruptured again! I called toyota and informed them of the events and they told me to tow the car back to them. Toyota headquarters in california should recall this part because it is not safe. This part can rupture at any point and time and the oil light does not come on. Please see links http://www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/avalon/2006/engine/complete_loss_of_engine_oil_with_no_warning_light.shtml http://www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2006/toyota/avalon.

Filed Apr 28, 2009 · Engine · 62,833 miles · MD

On wednesday, april 8th noticed that my car was leaking oil so I went to the service station and filled it with two quarts of oil. I realized there was a serious problem so I put another two quarts in my car and contacted a toyota dealership in lancaster pennsylvania because I was out of town. They informed me that my oil cooling line also known as the vvti line had ruptured and toyota has a new replacement part that is on national back order. Lancaster toyota didn't have the new replacement part however they could put the same defective part that is a known problem back on my car at a cost of $307.09 which would allow me to get home. After getting my car from pa I drove it directly to toyota of bowie and asked them to check my engine for damage. They said he didn't see any damage to my engine. I picked my car up and drove it approximately 3 miles away from toyota of bowie put the car in park & smelled something burning and heard the engine knocking. I lifted the hood and saw oil spurting out and dripping everywhere'..the oil cooling line (vvti line part no. 1570731012) had ruptured again! I had the car towed back to toyota of bowie and as of today 4/28 it is still there. No one will claim responsibility for this defect. Not toyota headquarters, or lancaster toyota.

Filed Mar 31, 2009 · Engine · 50,000 miles · TX

On a 300 mile road trip. Check engine & oil light came on near end of journey. Drove into dealership next morning & was told oil line ruptured depleting the engine of all oil and now need a new engine. The engine could have seized up while on the highway or caught fire due to oil in engine compartment & undercarriage.