2002 Toyota Avalon with major issues after 100K...is this all normal?

[02AvalonCA]

Hi guys...I am very glad I found this forum. My 2002 Avalon has been an amazing car for many years (original owner). I have had absolutely no issues besides basic stuff until this car hit 100K. From here it has cost me some money. Here is what I have had done in the last year:

- New steering column due to recall (this was free, but a pain in the ass as the car died in a rough neighborhood at night and I had to get it towed)

- New fuel pressure valve (car was not starting, and this was the diagnosis)

- Air intake hose replacement (have no idea how this even happened)

- Spark plugs/timing belt/serpentine belt as well. I know these are pretty standard, so I shouldn't complain, but still costly

- Even the subwoofer dies all of a sudden!

This is on top of all the stuff you need for all cars (oil changes, tires, various flushes).

Is this all pretty normal for Avalons? I know most cars over 100K start seeing these things, but I was always told Avalons are very low maintenance...

[fltwd56]

All the things you have mentioned except for the recall, air intake hoses, and pressure regulator seem to be routine maintenance for just about any car on the road today. Your list should soon include new struts as by now I'm sure the car is riding very soft and possibly air/fuel sensors(both upstream went @97K and 114K respectively). I purchased my Avalon with 112K knowing all these issues needed to be addressed and the price I paid was adjusted accordingly. The one thing the original owner did do on my car was service it regularly(oil change/transmission fluid change, spark plugs, and one air/fuel sensor) which gave me peace of mind in that. If you are going to keep the car then these things will keep it on the road for years more. If you were planning to sell it soon...it may not have been the best idea...but also if the buyer has done his homework he will likely pay more for your car vs one with an unknown maintenance history(as long as there isn't sludge present). The timing belt is a necessity on these cars, but your list doesn't look too out of the ordinary really from all my research....you should see the maintenance of say the 2000-2005 Impala after 100K...new transmissions(usually), LIM gaskets, hub bearings, $500.00 ignition switches etc etc....my Avalon is a great car and drives as good as it looks now and I can depend on it for years to come so I didn't mind spending the money. It's all up to you and what you expect out of your car. Oh, my sub-woofer was out when I bought the car...have yet to address that.

Jeff

[zythr]

Originally Posted by 02AvalonCA

Hi guys...I am very glad I found this forum. My 2002 Avalon has been an amazing car for many years (original owner). I have had absolutely no issues besides basic stuff until this car hit 100K. From here it has cost me some money. Here is what I have had done in the last year:

- New steering column due to recall (this was free, but a pain in the ass as the car died in a rough neighborhood at night and I had to get it towed)

- New fuel pressure valve (car was not starting, and this was the diagnosis)

- Air intake hose replacement (have no idea how this even happened)

- Spark plugs/timing belt/serpentine belt as well. I know these are pretty standard, so I shouldn't complain, but still costly

- Even the subwoofer dies all of a sudden!

This is on top of all the stuff you need for all cars (oil changes, tires, various flushes).

Is this all pretty normal for Avalons? I know most cars over 100K start seeing these things, but I was always told Avalons are very low maintenance...

They are, until they get to 100K, just like many makes.

[bobflood]

Originally Posted by 02AvalonCA

Hi guys...I am very glad I found this forum. My 2002 Avalon has been an amazing car for many years (original owner). I have had absolutely no issues besides basic stuff until this car hit 100K. From here it has cost me some money. Here is what I have had done in the last year:

- New steering column due to recall (this was free, but a pain in the ass as the car died in a rough neighborhood at night and I had to get it towed)

- New fuel pressure valve (car was not starting, and this was the diagnosis)

- Air intake hose replacement (have no idea how this even happened)

- Spark plugs/timing belt/serpentine belt as well. I know these are pretty standard, so I shouldn't complain, but still costly

- Even the subwoofer dies all of a sudden!

This is on top of all the stuff you need for all cars (oil changes, tires, various flushes).

Is this all pretty normal for Avalons? I know most cars over 100K start seeing these things, but I was always told Avalons are very low maintenance...

I agree with fltwd56 - with the exception of the fuel pressure valve and the steering column, nothing out of the ordinary for any FWD vehicle with a timing belt (which is most of them). I'm at 155K and have just replaced the struts (could have done them sooner). One additional caution to be aware of: Mine just lost the timing belt tensioner; the resulting engine failure and overheating resulted in warped/cracked heads and a $3K repair bill. If the tensioner was not replaced with your timing belt job (very common not to), either have it done now or be aware if an erratic noise developes from pass side of engine and have it done immediately then. I still plan on getting another 50-100K out of this Avalon.

[twoavalons]

I know this post has been up for awhile but I hope you just swallowed hard and made the investment in your Avalon. My '00 is on its third timing belt and all the associated routine parts that you do with that job, five sets of tires, two brake jobs, about to put the third fuel filter on today, looking for new struts soon and only replaced O2 sensors and plugs one time. All of this and the car has 240k! It will easily go another 100k; Mobil 1 going back to when I bought it with 90k and only one tranny fluid change. It still gets 27-28mpg at 75mph.

Fix it, enjoy it. Avalons are one of the best cars on the road and I've owned Lincoln, Mercedes, Buick and Honda.