2000 - 2004 Toyota Avalon Recall

Toyota Announces Voluntarily Recall on Toyota Avalons to Replace Steering Column Bracket for Certain 2000 through 2004 Toyota Avalon Steering Column Brackets

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. announced that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall which involves approximately 373,000 2000-2004 Model Year Toyota Avalons which were sold in the United States. The safety rcall will address issues regarding the vehicle's steering lock bar which could break under certain circumstances or conditions. This recall reportedly does not involve any other Toyota or Lexus vehicle lines.

Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that a small crack may develop which may expand over a period of repeated lock and unlock operations, eventually causing the lock bar to possibly break. If a breakage is experienced, the interlock system can become difficult to unlock when the vehicle is stationary.

If, however, the locking bar breaks, before or while the vehicle is being driven under certain circumstances or conditions it can increase the risk of a crash.

Part of the recall involves Toyota replacing the steering column bracket on involved vehicles, a mechanicalprocedure which takes about two hours to complete. Toyota says it will notify affected owners by mail beginning late August 2010, directing them to bring their vehicles to a local Toyota dealer for steering column bracket replacement at no charge to the customer.

More information on Toyota Recalls can be found at www.toyota.com/recall and owners may reach the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.