Toyota Avalon knocking problems

Filed Nov 29, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NJ

On 11/27/25 around 11:30 am , I went to stop at a stop sign before approaching the main road. I went to stop at the stop sign and hit the brakes as I proceded to turn left on to the main Road there was a car coming on the main road and I hit my brakes to stop from causing me to run into him when I hit the brakes to avoid hitting the other car , the brakes locked and would not stop the car. Causing the car to swerve and hit the car, went to the other side of the street , hit a pole , and damaged my left and right back and front of my car and hit the other car as well. It was not the first time that the brakes did this to me, however the first time that that happened thankfully I did not hit anyone on the on going road , but the brakes freed up and I continued driving. This timethe brakes froze and the car went out of control. I almost lost my life me and my husband who was a passenger in the car. The person whom I hit in the other car saw that I tried to stop and the car went out of control. The car would not stop. I am concerned because for a long time I have been telling the dealer when I go for service I complained about the knocking of the brakes when I press to stop. They said nothing is wrong and they never did anything about it. Now today I went to the dealer to complain about the accident I was in and wanted them to inspect the brakes. They wanted to charge me 199.00 and I refused to have them diagnose the car because this appears to be problem with the car and nothing on my part. It may be a sensor issue or something. I felt that the car was being operated remotley in other words I had no control the car spinned out of control and the brake system did not work. I want to get rid of this car because I have had 4 accidents with this car since I purchased it in May of 2022. I am now afraid to drive the car after this incident. Please someone help me with this situation.

Filed Jun 19, 2016 · Brakes, Fuel system · 124,000 miles · GA

Sudden acceleration when shifted into reverse gear and the brakes would not even slow the car. It was only stopped by hitting a low retaining was, knocking it down, and then falling over the edge of the driveway and being suspended like a "see-saw" over the edge of the driveway with the possibility of a 10+ foot drop off into a wooded ravine.

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Suspension · 124,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota avalon. While driving over a bump at 20 MPH, the contact heard a loud knocking sound. A mechanic stated that the front driver's side coil spring fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2013 · Steering · TN

This is my second avalon the first being a 2006 which had to have a steering column replaced when it had 24407 miles and out of warranty due to time I paid labor. The 2011 avalon has same problem 25000 miles and just under 30 days out of warranty they say it is different but is the same problem per the tech just changed part numbers. With the steering problem this is a safety problem which they say they will not repair under warranty . The service dept told me all of the avalons are having the same problem and have a bulletin to replace the steering column when they get a complaint from the customer. When you adjust the telescopic wheel the whole steering column is loose and knocks when you turn the wheel.

Filed Jan 13, 2012 · Steering · 42,000 miles · IN

My 2006 toyota avalon(touring) has a loud knocking/clunking noise when turning steering wheel at low speeds. Dealer said this was a problem with the 2006 avalons and can be fixed by replacing the steering column at a cost of $700-800. Car had 42k miles just out of warranty and offered no toyota help until I told him I had an extended warranty with toyota repair was made. 15k-20k later ,same problem. Second steering column replaced.15k-20k later..same problem..dealer lub the linkage,15k-20k later same problem,dealer lub the linkage again. At 98000,same problem,my toyota warranty had expired at 96k and the dealer wanted $800 to replace the steering column,his cost amount.area toyota repr.said it was not a safety issue ,more of a nuisance factor. Should be a toyota recall to find the fix. Just replied to a toyota survey. Have not replaced the steering column..waiting for an update on the survey. Likely will not be contacted.

Filed Oct 27, 2010 · Steering · 55,400 miles · RI

My 2006 toyota avalon xls exhibits loud knocking noise when turning steering wheel at low speeds. Dealer said this is a problem with the 2006 avalon and can be fixed by replacing the steering column at a cost of $911. This is a problem that toyota should have issued a recall to fix since they knew about it since 2004 and have issued various service bulletins on subject.

Filed Nov 20, 2009 · Acceleration · 150,000 miles · OK · crash

Toyota avalon '02 accelerated and had no brakes going down 35-40' driveway. Would knock parked car through house if I did not turn. Steered into railroad-tie holding berm. Bouncing off the tie slowed momentum of car. Was able to turn. Still crashed into parked car. Totaled my car and parked car.

Filed Nov 18, 2009 · Steering · 35,000 miles · VA

I have begun to notice a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, going forward or in reverse. I am now reading about this happening to other avalon 2006 owners. The car has 35,000 miles on it and this started showing up at around 30k. At first I thought it was the brake pads knocking, but I'm almost certain it is the steering shaft from what others are describing. It goes in the shop tomorrow for the vvt oil recall fix and I will discuss this unacceptable and perhaps dangerous condition with the toyota service department.

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.