Does the 2002 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Toyota Avalon, the most recent reported on July 29, 2010 (Steering). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Avalon?

Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (35 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (25).

How many 2002 Toyota Avalon complaints mention a crash or fire?

32 of 116 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 16 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Toyota Avalon recalls and problems

1 recall and 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Avalon.

recalls

116

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Toyota Avalon recalls

Steering

NHTSA campaign 10V345000 · reported July 29, 2010 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 372,593 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2000-2004 avalon vehicles. Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface of the lock bar. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break.
The risk: Should the steering lock bar break, the steering wheel would lock and the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the steering interlock device free of charge. The safety recall began on september 7, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags35
Vehicle speed control25
Steering18
Service brakes, hydraulic8
Engine and engine cooling7
Tires7
Electrical system6
Service brakes5
Power train4
Seat belts4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Feb 10, 2025 · Air bags
Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002…

Apr 17, 2023 · Service brakes
Bosch ABS anti skid, anti lock brake moduled failed. No brakes. Toyota US has no replacements parts available. Bosch no longer produces. Called Toyota Customer Service three times. Got to the management end and Senior Advisor told me, warranty expired, norhing we can do. I said, there are a bunch of 2000 to 2004…

Jun 10, 2021 · Unknown or other
Headlights failed to operate correctly, resulting in taking the car to fix problem , service advisor told me that this veh vin number shows this car should not havve automatly controled headlights, the car is being serviced at cedar rapids toyota , steve lemke is the servvice advisior

Oct 3, 2020 · Air bags · 140,082 miles
THE 2003-2004 MODEL AVALON'S HAVE A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAGS WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN FREQUENCIES AND NOISES. MY 2002 AVALON HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR AS WELL. I'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR EVER, BUT AS SOON AS IT HIT 140,000 MILES THE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING A…

Feb 2, 2020 · Air bags · 192,000 miles · crash reported
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SLIPPERY ROADS. I WAS EXITING I5 ON TO HIGHWAY 7 IN TACOMA WASHINGTON. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, SLID AND HIT A CEMENT WALL ON HIGHWAY 7. UPON IMPACT I HIT MY HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT UPON IMPACT. I RECEIVED INJURIES DUE TO…

Avalon model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	2	172	43	2
2001	2	134	34	1
2002	1	116	32	2
2003	2	293	49	2
2004	3	205	27	0
2005	7	228	36	3

Across all years, the 2006 Avalon has the most complaints (360). All Toyota Avalon years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Toyota Avalon, the most recent reported on July 29, 2010 (Steering). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Avalon?: Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (35 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (25).
How many 2002 Toyota Avalon complaints mention a crash or fire?: 32 of 116 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 16 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received February 10, 2025.