NHTSA Complaint #10251502 — 2007 TOYOTA AVALON

IN JUNE OF 2007 WE PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA AVALON. WITHIN 2 WEEKS WE NOTICED IT PULLING INTERMITTENTLY TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT ON THE OPEN ROAD AND WHEN BRAKING. AT TIMES IT WOULD JERK WILDLY TO THE RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT OR OPPOSITE WHEN BRAKING AND IT HAS A TENDENCY TO CLIMB UPHILL AGAINST THE SLANT OF THE OPEN ROAD. THE SITUATION IS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. WE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED NUMEROUS TIMES, ROTATED THE TIRES, CHECKED THE PRESSURES, ALL WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND HAD IT SERVICED 3 TIMES (WITH TOYOTA CORP. INSTRUCTION) WITH NO RESULTS. AT TOYOTA'S SUGGESTION, WE REPLACED 2 OF THE MICHELIN TIRES THAT CAME ON THE CAR (AT OUR EXPENSE) WITH 2 HIGH QUALITY MASTERCRAFT TIRES WHICH SHOWED SIGNIFICANT TREAD WEAR AFTER ONLY 700 MILES. IT HAS WORN OUT 2 ORIGINAL TIRES AT 15,000 MILES AND THE OTHER 2 NOW NEED REPLACED AT 19,000 MILES. THE CAR WILL NOT HOLD AN ALIGNMENT. WE WERE TOLD BY TOYOTA REPS. THAT THE CAR IS REACTING TO "ROAD CROWN" CONDITIONS AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA INSTRUCTED US TO PURSUE THE PROBLEM WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT. THE DETERMINATION WAS "THE CUSTOMER FAILED TO PROVE THE CONDITIONS PRESENT ARE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP". WE HAVE SINCE TAKEN THE CAR TO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER IN OUR AREA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND AGREES THAT THE SITUATION EXISTS AS WE'VE DESCRIBED. HE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE REPLY AS STATED ON THE SERVICE REPORT IS "TOYOTA SAYS NO FIX FOR CONCERN NORMAL CONDITION FOR NATURE OF VEHICLE". WE HAVE DRIVEN OTHER AVALONS AND KNOW PEOPLE WHO OWN THEM AND ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. OUR FIRST CONCERN IS THAT THERE MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUR CAR. IN ADDITION, WE FEEL THAT FOR THE PRICE PAID WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY DRIVING IT AND NOT BE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE CAR. WE WOULD LIKE THE CAR TO BE COMPETENTLY REPAIRED AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR 4 TIRES. *TR