2006 Limited Test Drive Surpise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

technoholic · 04-15-2010, 01:06 PM

I am a previous and current Toyota (4Runner) owner and have long been a Toyota enthusiast and supporter. That sadly might all be changing.

I just took a test drive in a 2006 Toyota Avalon Limited which I had considered purchasing. The test drive took place on an open highway alongside the dealer. The cruise control was engaged at 60MPH and when the joystick was bumped up, I expected the vehicle speed to increase 1 MPH just like it does in my 4Runner, I am very familiar with Toyota cruise control operation. What happened was the car down shifted and went into full throttle acceleration. I watched in disbelief at what was happening. At 80 MPH, I canceled the cruise the throttle closed and the vehicle slowed. The problem was repeated three more times with the sales rep observing from the back seat. The good news is that the acceleration could be canceled both by the joystick as well as tapping the brake. This is obviously not a stuck accelerator pedal or a floor mat (they were in the trunk) issue.

Current events being what they are, I thought someone at Toyota would be intensely interested in these events. What concerns me even more than the event however, is that when I called the Toyota 800 "Customer Experience" phone number, I was turned away and told "We are not taking any feedback on that subject."

I am really bummed. I was seriously considering a purchase but now I'm not sure at all and confidence is badly shaken. It seems that from everything I am reading, Toyota is still in denial that there is a problem. Anybody else have a similar experience?

grandpapa · 04-15-2010, 03:26 PM

I too have/had own a few Toyota and here is my experience.

if you push the cruise control "up" for 2 second, the car will start to accelerated. Normally when the road is level, the car will go as expected. However, if the road is not level or the car is having a hard time getting the speed up, it will disable the OD (downshift? full throttle?) so the car will quickly get to speed.

My 97 Camry, 01 Highlander, 04 Sienna and 06 Avalon Limited they all behaved the same.

I think the reason behind the downshift is so the car can pick up the speed faster. Just like if you would driving a manual, you downshift to gain more power so the car has more speed, once it get to that speed, you can shift it into higher gear. That's how I see it.

boosted-fc3s · 04-15-2010, 03:39 PM

Its always annoyed me how the car if its only a few mph under the set speed will drop 2 gears and floor it to close a 3-4mph speed gap.

technoholic · 04-15-2010, 05:03 PM

Yes, I understand normal cruise control operation but this bad boy picked up 20 MPH and was still at full bore when I canceled the cruise, definitely not normal operation.

Riick · 04-15-2010, 06:35 PM

You and I are in same boat. Have been looking for a 2008 Avy, since 05-06-07 had transmission problems,
now I learn the 6 speed that showed up in '08 has same sort of problem.
Rollover problem in the lexus SUV.

Toyota ignoring the 600 lb gorilla in the room is an old pattern, my 2000 avalon is one of the years where they had the oil gel problem; they finally gave a 100,000 mile warranty on those engines.

Here, what clearly appears to be a software problem, is being ignored.
Will it kill you?, leave you stranded?, or just cost you a nice few thousand dollars for an new transmission?
What a wonderful set of potential choices.
Maybe I'll just buy another 2000-2004 Avalon and forget all about a newer one.

boosted-fc3s · 04-15-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technoholic

Yes, I understand normal cruise control operation but this bad boy picked up 20 MPH and was still at full bore when I canceled the cruise, definitely not normal operation.

Yea theres definately some sort of issue there. The laser cruise will jump 5mph at a time for every up click of the cruise button. It jumps in 1mph increments in normal mode.

grandpapa · 04-16-2010, 09:37 AM

since I only have the avalon for 2 days, I should keep an eye on it

if you cancel the cruise setting, it should act like you just step on the brake. If it keeps accelerate, it will be a safety issue and got to have the dealer look at it.

Maybe now is a good time to "bug" them since it's getting worst and worst for what have happening with TOYOTA

Hostage · 04-16-2010, 01:11 PM

My opinion has vastly changed over the past year regarding Toyota. I loved my 96 Avalon (just sold it) so much I told m g/f to get one she got a 2006. The VVTI line issue caused us to buy a new engine, then there was the recall for the accelerator, and now I see rust on both of the passengers doors on a welding seam. They don't make them like they use to. I ended up getting an Acura instead of another Toyota, because of Toyota cutting corners.

technoholic · 04-19-2010, 11:05 PM

I talked to the service manager after car had been examined by someone in that dept. His response was that the cruise is working as it should and implied that I didnt know what I was doing. When I pushed back, he invited me to take the car out on the road with him. OK, so he seemed to be somewhat if not reluctantly interested. We agreed to meet at a later date and take a drive.

Meanwhile, I visited another dealer that had an '08 Limited with laser cruise on their lot. I took the car for a test drive and the cruise worked flawlessly, nothing at all like the first car I drove. Since no one else seems to have had a similar experience, I took the runaway cruise control as an isolated incident and I bought the car. Great ride! We are very happy with our purchase.

Question now is what to do about that service manager that thinks I am a dummy. Think I will call him and tell him just who the dummy is.

***Tom in Tacoma*** · 04-20-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technoholic

Question now is what to do about that service manager that thinks I am a dummy. Think I will call him and tell him just who the dummy is.

Try this approach - go talk to him again (face to face). When he starts to talk down to you, look him directly in the eyes and with a calm voice ask him, "Is it this dealerships policy for service advisors to insult their customers or do you do that on your own?"

If that doesn't get an immediate change in his demeanor - tell him you need to speak with his manager. I've used this approach and it works every single time.

Good luck!

***zythr*** · 04-20-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostage

My opinion has vastly changed over the past year regarding Toyota. I loved my 96 Avalon (just sold it) so much I told m g/f to get one she got a 2006. The VVTI line issue caused us to buy a new engine, then there was the recall for the accelerator, and now I see rust on both of the passengers doors on a welding seam. They don't make them like they use to. I ended up getting an Acura instead of another Toyota, because of Toyota cutting corners.

Unfortunately Toyota's cost cutting started way back in 1998.