The steering wheel telescoping lever is faulty in that it will loosen in its own causing the steering wheel to lunge forward toward the dash unexpectedly with little pressure while driving.
2009 Toyota Avalon: sudden unintended acceleration
5 of the 91 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Avalon describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 4 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
What owners say
As I pulled into a parking space at my hairdresser's (part of a strip mall) and had almost reached the cement parking stop, my car suddenly lurched forward, jumped the curb, and crashed into the glass storefront before I was able to stop. It felt as if the car had suddenly accelerated on its own. Luckily, the storefront was vacant, so no one was injured, including myself, but there was significant damage to the storefront and my vehicle.
When slowly pulling into a parking space in front of a building, the vehicle suddenly accelerated across a 3-foot wide sidewalk and into one of the storefronts of a building--resulting in extensive damage to the front of the vehicle (currently in the body shop) and extensive damage to the storefront. Fortunately, no one was on the sidewalk at the time. This is the first sudden unintended acceleration for us...but apparently not the first for the 2009 avalon.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 toyota avalon. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions. The contact experienced an increase of unintended acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The contact stated the technician modified the accelerator pedal. The failure mileage was 19,200.
We picked up our new 2009 avalon limited on 7/31/09. On 9/7/09, after returning from a drive, the car accelerated into the garage door as it was opening. We had stopped about 6 feet from the door to open it. As we released the brake pedal the car shot forward into the door. Damage to the car amounted to $1500, and another $1000 for the garage door. I did not file an insurance claim. Toyota later recalled the vehicle to put a spacer on the gas pedal and to "re-flash" the computer. I believe this is an electrical problem with the gas pedal control system and not a mechanical problem. The dealership said the spacer was the solution. I've also received notification of a problem with the floor mats; but have not received a recall notice to fix it. The dealer indicated that an override on the brake pedal (to cut out the gas pedal) was supposed to be part of that recall. That might help, but I'm still waiting. The problem occurred only once. Once was enough!
Service bulletins that may apply
- As communicated in mid-June 2013, the Federal Court in Orange County, California continued the Fairness...
- The Federal Court in Orange County, CA today continued a Fairness Hearing regarding the proposed...
- On June 14, 2013 the Federal Court in Orange County, California will conduct a Fairness Hearing regarding...
- Toyota: accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and installation,...
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.
- Risk
- The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the pontiac vibe please see 10v‑018. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on february 5, 2010 and will be completed on march 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 10V017000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
- Risk
- A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331, lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.
Recall number 09V388000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2009 Toyota Avalon sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 2009 Toyota Avalon?
5 of 91 owner complaints about the 2009 Toyota Avalon (5%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 Toyota Avalon?
There are 2 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2009 Toyota Avalon
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