2008 TOYOTA AVALON Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR HAD UNEXPECTED, SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT; AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PERSON WAS UNINJURED EXCEPT FOR CHEST BRUISES. THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN IN WHEN IT WAS RECALLED AND WAS " FIXED" IN RESPONSE TO 2 RECALL NOTICES BY THE DEALER ON MARCH 4, 2010. THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS BASHED IN, HOOD IS BENT UPWARD, RADIATOR DAMAGED AND THE FRONT DOORS JAMMED. MEN HAD TO FORCE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN TO GET THE DRIVER FROM THE CAR. TOYOTA AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BUT NEITHER HAVE HAD TIME TO EXAMINE THE CAR. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE HEARD A NOISE AND PULLED OVER WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND DISTRICT MANAGER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND HOLES IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V017000 (ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA ITEM NUMBER (10032630) ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, OIL SUPPLY HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,836. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPADTED 01/07/11