Possible expensive repair per dashlight.

[kraky]

Our 06 ava has just 17k miles on it up here in Wisconsin. The other day the check engine light came on along with the vsc light. I pulled the scan gauge from my Honda Pilot and plugged it into the port on the ava and found it read code P2197. A search on the internet said I have a fuel sensor problem.
Got the car to the dealer and was informed that 2 sensors are bad and that they are having problems and also wanted to replace my intake manifold. Well, lucky for me I'm in warranty but I wonder about the poor people out there that may have this go bad soon outside of warranty.
I did a little googling and found a guy had an 06 with 45k miles with the same problem and they wanted $1800 to fix it. Seems like from what I've read it can happen to Camry's also on model years 06, 07 and some 08's.
This is our first Toyota and we love it.....BUT....when consumer reports and other magazines are saying Toyota's quality has slipped and is no longer any better than the American companies....well....I'm starting to think they're right!

[avalondude]

I have the identical problem on my 06 limited. The error code came back P2195 - O2 sensor or A/F sensor on Bank 1 sensor 1 stuck lean. Autozone quoted ~$500 for the sensor. I spoke wiht the dealer and they said I can drive without causing any damage. Without seeing the problem, They ball parked the sensor and labor at $600. I want to do the work myself and save $. Can anyone tell me more info before I invest in a O2 sensor and time?

[kraky]

FWIW--I have to admit I gave some wrong info above. After looking over my workorder after the reparr I found it was infact the exhaust manifold that got replaced. If you take your code P2195 and add a word or two (like "toyota")and do a google search you'll find a quite a bit more info.

[Tom in Tacoma]

Regarding Toyota's quality being no more better than the domestic brands - I think you'll find that the domestic car makers have had to improve their quality to get to the point that Toyota has always been. Not the other way around.

Surveys, like statistics, can be used to express any desired result.

[kraky]

Well, I agree that Gm and Ford have come up the ladder but I think Honda and Toyota have slipped. We started with Jap cars with a new 2003 Accord. It started dripping oil on the garage floor at 18,000 miles. It was a camshaft seal and was replaced under warranty. I hated the road noise in that car and traded it for the Avy. Now the warranty problem with the Avy. I haven't had any trouble under 20k miles with any american car I've owned like these two. Also bought a new 2004 honda Pilot. Hated the road noise in that & also and by 22k miles the finish was coming right off the buttons that ran interior functions....silver buttons were becoming black buttons and the leather was up off the seat cushion and not at all taught. I've seen better quality in FLeet Farm boat cushions. Traded that for an 07 pilot which has had no quality complaints and road noise is better but the gas mileage is 10% worse than my '04 Pilot. Just am not getting impressed by the Japs in the last 4 vehicles. Would go back to American in a heartbeat but resale value sucks.....it probably shouldn't as I think quality is definately "on par" now with the japs.

[Tom in Tacoma]

...and yet you continue to buy "Jap" (your word - not mine) cars again and again. I think you may have just reinforced my point.

[mikea30]

I recently had this work done under T-SB-0114-08 (Good search term to try). The right exhaust manifold and two air/fuel (R&L) sensors were replaced. My car was under warranty and the bill, had it not been under warranty, would have been $1200 perhaps more if I was paying out of pocket (Toyota dictates the amount of labor it will pay for and the price of the parts when warranty work is done). It is a shame thing kind of thing has happened so early (I have an 07 Avalon w/34000 miles) on. I have not had any issues of this kind with other cars I have owned and they have all been American. I do like the Avalon so I am seriously considering the platinum extended warranty because it seems that when things go in the Avalon, you're in for big bucks. It could easily pay for itself after one out of warranty trip to the shop.

[06avalon]

dangit, my VIN number falls under the TSB's effective VIN. I'm at 38K miles, no more warranty and my check engine has been on for awhile now.. I don't want to pay $1,200+

=*(

[06avalon]

Should I take it to a dealer, or a repair shop?

[kraky]

You're only out by 2k mileage....for a problem that Toyota knows about. I would head down to the dealer and ask for a price to diagnose the check engine light and then argue it from there. I can't believe you wouldn't be able to "go up the ladder" and argue that they should take care of the problem.
Let me rephrase that....be nice...be cool....if you don't get the right answers ask whoever turns you down to give you the next guy to talk to etc etc.

[kraky]

BTW---anyone with a code reader can give you the codes. All cars have the exact same port to plug in a code reader and all code readers will read the codes on any car marketed in America for the past 10 yrs....