TAH with black interior. In service for 26,700 miles over the past 17 months. Tires at 37 psi. Rattle free. Issue free. Don't know what to make of your theory about interior color. It does seem that all Avalons are not created problem free. I'm thrilled to have a perfect one.

 

Why do you have your tires filled to 37 psi? Isn't two psi over the recommended pressure making the ride rougher? Won't wear out the center of your tires quicker? :surprise:

 

I have the Almond interior and my 2013 V6 Limited is completely free of rattles, squeaks, groans, knocks, clicks, wheezes or any other extraneous sounds. It seems to be built like a fortress or the third Little Piggy's brick house.

Robert N.

 

"Knock on wood" mine is quiet and no rattles. Only 4000 miles though.

 

2014 XLE premium with almond. No rattles at all. The shelf in the glove box is gone in 2014 or the dealer removed it.

 

Thanks everyone! I've always enjoyed Nilnoc's and many others posts here...so I really appreciate everyone. :thanks:

Yea I was just starting to wonder...trying to figure out any pattern. It's just if everyone heard the recordings I've made where I literally just hold my iPhone in the air in the middle of the car at ear level. Climate control set to 72-74 (and no matter the outside temp or morning or evening). It can sound like a geiger counter under the dash (like when Top Gear UK went to Chernobyl), or when I grab the handle to close my door (creaking like styrofoam), or rest my leg against the door or center stack. I've got a constant under dash ticking/rattle and then in the last few months the rear deck rattle has come up.

So, I really want to figure this out (not just for me, but if Toyota is having issues with others...I hope it would help them, too.

My build is a 7/13, the Rental Avalon Hybrid was built in 1/14 and an XLE...so when I took my wife out for date night int the Rental Avalon it did all the same rattles...but the main "geiger counter" dash rattle was coming from a different spot. I had expected it to be super quite, which then would have given me some encouragement that mine could be fixed...but when the Rental Avalon did the same (there just isn't any other conclusion, but to think, "do they all do it"). So then the next day I went in and drove TAH Limited w/Tech that also had a Black Interior. Again, I love my dealer and they've always been great. I had one sales associate in the front and a gal associate in the back. And right away all three of us noticed these same "styrofoam" squeaks and clicks...NO WERE NEAR AS bad as my Avalon or the Rental Avalon...but we all heard them...so then I thought, "Oh this is really bad". Seriously, my Avalon was in pieces (back seat out entirely...back deck out, too). The dealer was doing their best and I'd just driven 3 Avalon's in 3 days that did the same thing. I just can't have this...agian love the car, but the quantity of the rattles...just seems like an absolutely impossible task.

So I thought that was it...I'm a very busy Executive Director and Systems person and I buy Toyota's, well, because they are Toyota's and my Avalon and the two (2) other Avalon's I'd just driven this last Thurs. & Fri. were so un-Toyota like (I really cannot even properly relay my disappointment). Of all the 12 Toyota's I've had the one that I was most scared of was the '13 Tacoma Double Cab LB w/TRD Exhaust built in Mexico...and it has been rock solid.

Again, I really thought this was it...I can't have this and seemingly the only other new TAH Limited w/Tech on their lot does it too. But then I went out Sunday afternoon to a different dealer...and drove a (7/14 build) XLE Hybrid (only Hybrid they had..and it happen to have the Light Gray. So when I went for a 40 min. test drive and it was super quite I felt like I'd been given new hope...so I went straight home to my dealer where again I've had 12 Toyotas). So they signed me out with a different new Avalon (not the Limited w/Tech that I'd driven on Friday) but another XLE w/Light Gray...and once again I was out for about an hour, put 20 miles on it drove it where I always go...and it to was SUPER quiet...so again I was so very happy...by the time I got back the Sales Manger (Kelly Stewart) again great guy (I'm sure he thought I was crazy, but I could not help myself...I was giddy and happy, and excited to have finally driven 2 Avalon's in a row that acted like how I'd always expected Toyota's to be (which again is kind of sad). But it gives me hope...so with these last two...I have asked Toyota to replace my Avalon with a new Limited w/Tech & Michelins (like I had)...I just want one like it sounds like you all have, too...so again I appreciate this forum, as it does give me encouragement.

So, now that I have the car back again...unfortunately the back deck is a much louder rattle now like a "metal rattle" instead of plastic...and the headliner is drooping between the 3 "buttons" on the roof, too. So, it does not look good for my Avalon. And actually when we first got it my "A" pillar trim pieces were not properly attached at the factory, so if the side air bags had gone off...there would have been trim pieces traveling across the cab and warp speed (also not good). That was the case on both the Driver and Passenger side where the "tether strap" had not been attached. Just makes a person wonder what else did not get attached on the interior that day at the plant (hate to say that too).

Sorry long winded...sigh

 

The only noises I get are some small squeaks/pops from the plastic when the interior is really hot and is cooling down, and they don't last long, but other than that my black interior is really quiet. :smile: Sorry you've had such bad luck with yours. :frown:

 

Wow love the new cool look for ToyotaNation.com :grin:

Anyway, yes I totally understand what your talking about with heating and cooling. I would consider that normal. Mine has been if it's raining, hot or cold outside, just "normal" driving. Again I am encouraged that y'all are having a better experience...and thanks for the condolences.

This is what I'm talking about...this is my current and continuing issues list...

Avalon Continuing and Current Issues:

1. Dash Rattles (it all creaks and rattles all over, but I’m taking about the most consistent one that’s still there, the one that is a rattle)

2. Creaks, Squeaks, Pops and Rattles all over, general Interior Integrity (in comparison drive and/or inspect current stock # M026001 an XLE on the lot).
- Stock # M026001 is what I would consider to be a "normal" Toyota…where under normal everyday use it allows a person to use it without creaking, popping, rattling or squeaking like two pieces of styrofoam rubbing together:
- A person can grab hold of the inside door handle without it creaking and popping (just grasping it).
- A person can pull the door closed without it popping and squeaking.
- A person can rest their leg against the door and not have to hold it up and not touch it without creaking (in fact on # M026001 you can press on any of it’s door panels and it will not make a sound, you can even press hard, because it has the normal Toyota quality feel)
- A person can rest a leg against the center console without it creaking or squeaking.
- You can drive, turn left or right and around corners without the whole interior making sounds like it’s all shifting as is creaks and squeaks.
- You can start away from a dead stop slowly with EV on, or accelerate quickly without the whole interior creaking, squeaking and popping.
- You can come to a stop gently and smoothly without the whole interior dash, door panels, back deck acting like a person just hit a massive pothole.
- It lets the suspension travel over the crown of side streets as you go along 13th street, 12th street, or on Market Street toward I-5…again without the whole interior creaking and squeaking over every rise and compression of the suspension.
- It allows a person to drive along like normal and as a person crosses over "crosswalk" stripes, again the whole interior does not pop, creak or squeak (now if a person hit a pothole I’d expect something, but not normal everyday driving where she should be like the luxury touring Toyota that they are supposed to be).
- I know it is possible to have an Avalon that acts "normal" and quite because I’ve driven two (2) in a row that have acted in a "normal" Toyota Way…like Stock #M026001)

3. Back Deck Rattle (is much worse than it was, sorry to say, it’s sounds more like a "metal rattle", now…again just driving around it will start in and rattle).

4. Rear Headliner has definitely started to droop between the "3 buttons" (seems like it’s worse since the last attempt at the back deck rattle)

5. Still want to check out the "rust looking" spots on the inside of the trunk (that have always been there since my first Meguiar’s Polish w/#20, 21, and 26. However, they don’t seem to be growing, just want to double/triple check that it is not rust.​

 

Mine is sand/almond and the back shelf has a buzz and the doors/front dash have a buzz with the radio above 25.


Odd but I used the dealers black interior Pearl white car for the day and it was quieter.


I cant' contribute to color theory.


It's builders buzz no matter the color.

 

Mine is sand/almond and the back shelf has a buzz and the doors/front dash have a buzz with the radio above 25.

Yea with my busy schedule...drowning out the majority of the rattles, squeaks, and creaks with my Bluetooth streaming audio has been my only solution to not go crazy, at least on the long highway runs. :-/ But still, I almost always drive without any sound around town, so that I'm not distracted (it's just a safety thing for me). Plus, getting the Hybrid (in part) was to get the maximum quiet flagship luxury Toyota that is supposed to be blissfully quiet without a big ole L (Lexus) badge on the front with a smaller trunk and joystick as the only input device (no offense to any Lexus owners or fellow Toyota brethren, I just like direct quick touch screen better).
:|

But I am determined now...I have an understanding with my boss (the Owner & President) that I can leave work at a moments notice once Toyota calls. Tearing apart a new almost $45,000 car, was not what I had in mind with how other things could be scratched and damaged (nor was my dealer to eager either understandably), or like I'd discussed with the dealer (made worse). Which is exactly what has now happened with my back deck...it is WAY worse (so I'm really hoping to go for a ride with a factory rep or factory tech soon).

So today, I let my great dealer know and Toyota, too...I'm ready to drive her wherever they want anytime they want on any road they want...and if they want to rip her apart further, that's not appealing...and I honestly think that they will not be able to fix it like it should have been, but I'll do whatever it takes at this point. Really I just want a car that does not do all this, but I do love Toyota...so I also hope that it will help them make them even better in the spirit of the "Toyota Way" that I believe in...just like when I was an Apple Sales Manager 19 years ago...there is the "Apple Way" and the back of the fence should look as good as the front of the fence. I mean just like that Rental Avalon I had...if I had tried that before buying, I would have NEVER bought. So, I do hope this all helps Toyota. Driving these last 2 that did not have issues, showed me that my previous 12 Toyota's were not flukes (mine is the fluke, or so I cling to).

eh...I'll be quiet myself again. Okay one more thing...love Toyota (in spite of this) okay 2 things...love the hybrid drivetrain...Toyota should put it in everything (imagine a Toyota Tacoma that never got below 34 mpg like the TAH, or Highlander that really did get MUCH better MPG's w/the 4 Cylinder, RAV4...I've read of 0-60 Avalon Hybrid times in reviews as low as 7.1 that's not slow for a big car. OK now I'll shut off my rambling.
:wink:

 

With limited ramble, my local service guy (a friend that I ride motorcycles with, and I trust) brought up a point. Although some will think this is to avoid work.


When you pull a panel, and "fix" a squeak, there is some percentage of likelihood that it will create a new one when the monkey puts it back in place.

 

That's why, when I have a vehicle that is quiet, I am hesitant to make any changes/upgrades to it that require parts to be removed and re-installed. A good example: I would like the seats to be a little more padded, and have read the thread that shows how to do it, but I'm concerned that once I re-installed the seats they might squeak/rattle. My theory: The seats aren't that bad, so why mess with a good thing! :wink:

 

So, I say all that to say...What interior do you have and has anyone else had tons of interior integrity issues? The 3 Avalon's I drove (including mine) that were rattling like crazy have all been Black interiors. The 2 that were great were Light Gray. So I know there should not be a difference in the interior integrity quality between Almond, Light Gray, and Black...but any input is appreciated.[/QUOTE]

I have the squeaks in my dash :crying:. I think u may be onto something. I have the '13 Hybrid Limited, White exterior w/the black interior.

 

I have the squeaks in my dash :crying:. I think u may be onto something. I have the '13 Hybrid Limited, White exterior w/the black interior.

Interesting, mine is Blizzard Pearl w/Black Build (7/13) when was yours built?

 

TAH Touring

I have a n 8/13 build TAH Touring with the almond interior. Thankfully, I have no unwanted noises in my car. It is quiet, runs great, and has a smooth ride.

I wonder if you could use your state's lemon law to exchange your lemon?

 

I have a n 8/13 build TAH Touring with the almond interior. Thankfully, I have no unwanted noises in my car. It is quiet, runs great, and has a smooth ride.

I wonder if you could use your state's lemon law to exchange your lemon?

Again, encouraging to hear about others without issues.

My dealer has not heard from Toyota since they called them last Friday (8/15/14). I had zero hope in any Avalon from Friday after pickup thru Sunday Morning...then I drove two (2) Avalon's at two different dealers that happen to have the Light Gray (40 min. and 1 hour test drives)...both of those were great (it showed me that there was hope that at least Toyota can make an Avalon without these issues I'm having...just driving back from picking up my daughter today she says, "it sounds like popcorn that never stops" well said I thought...I'll send that to my dealer, too). So, I still have no hope of mine being fixed, with my Itemized Timeline of 28 incidents/emails/repair orders about these issues that are all documented starting from 7/29/13 when I discovered that my "A" Pillar Safety straps were not put on at all at the factory.

So, with my new found faith after driving two (2) in row that are as mine should have been...I have asked for a new replacement w/Light Gray. I noticed that the Light Gray reflects a bit the back window, but at this point (if there is any chance that Gray is quieter...give me the quiet and a reflection).

I am good customer, without trying to sound boastful in anyway...who has bought 12 Toyota's since 1999 (13 if you count me getting the company Sequoia Limited). And I have gotten tons of birddog checks over the years from sending in people who ask me about cars because they know I'm a car nut with the 27 that I've had. I have 2,420 contacts in my iPhone, just been blessed to know a lot of people over the years. I know my dealer is doing the best they can...I have not bitten anyone's head off (as it does no good, and I know that my dealer would attest). So, we are just waiting for a call or a letter or something if they'd talk to my dealer. I have already arranged at work to take off on a moments notice to take the car anywhere Toyota would like...if we end up on Portland roads, they will be horrified.

 

Good luck

Best of luck TEK Rider

 

I'm getting the same creaks and pops from the front dash but I kind of expected that from all the plastic. What bothers me is rattle from the center console or wireless charging pad area. It's actually pretty loud and annoying as hell.

I have a Pearl white Hybrid Limited with technology package and grey interior. Build day is 6/2014. Was surprised to see that it was made in USA. I bought it few days ago so it only has few hundred miles on it and I'm wondering if I should take it to my dealership...

 

I would take it in so at least it gets documented. Good luck on having the dealer duplicate the sound. I have taken mine in twice now for the squeaks/rattles in the dash and they say it doesn't exist. The 2nd time they had my car for a week because they were doing the seat back fix...

 

That's worrying me... I actually am not worried about duplicating the sound. I hear it all the time even when I'm going slow. I will have the technician sit in my car if I have to.

 

I hear you!

For me with how my life is day in and day out...I typically don't go very far in places that are over 35mph. And under 35 is where all my rattles go from low, to medium, to loud. But that's part of what drives me nuts. Most of the time the slower I have to go the louder they are. (which again is crazy backwards)

I can be in Portland on I-5 stuck in traffic creeping along going 5 mph and it will rattle loud (I have tons of recordings). And I'm thinking, "what the heck"...go over a railroad track and a person will hear something, but then instead of rattling on as person would expect (because of how it acts without a rough road...it won't). I makes absolutely NO sense whatsoever...it just starts up whenever and whenever it pleases. It's not a matter of if it will rattle it's more of how many and from which spots will it choose today (just HATE it). But still I have two main ones that have been consistent. The "dash" rattle since day 1 and the back deck rattle that started about 6 months later.

 

TEK Rider -

Before you give back your car or sign yourself into an asylum, there's one more thing I'd like you to try if you have not done so already. Empty the glove-box, the center console storage compartment and the trunk completely and check the space where the spare tire is and make sure it is completely secured and also check for any loose objects. When done the only object in your car should be you, and nothing else. Then drive around and see if rattles persist. I doubt that they will all be gone, but I just want you to be absolutely sure there's nothing loose anywhere.

Robert N.

 

Hi Robert, great minds think alike! :wink:

I had done all the above a long long time ago...and I actually continue to run it completely empty except for the registration, owner's manual, and insurance card. I have tried holding foam on the side of the dash as I close the front doors, in the past, to where it looked like a freak show (I need like an octopus at times).

Again, I absolutely hate to say it, especially with being such a HUGE Toyota fan...and having owned so many (again this is the 12th Toyota that I've personally purchased with my own money...I've been blessed to have the title in my hands on this one, too). And that 12 is not counting the company Sequoia (which I bought for the company #13 ).

This Avalon is just ridiculous. In all my 27 cars this one is the worst for interior integrity. And that is a serious statement when my cars in the past have mostly been Honda's and Acura's (Honda makes good products too), but I've also had a Suburban, Dodge Cummins, Ford F-150, Town & Country, VW Westfailia, and Isuzu Impulse). This car HATES to be driven between 5-35 mph...it HATES it...squeaks, rattles, creaking. Get it going faster than it's better...but that is not my everyday life. And again NONE of my other Toyota's have been anything like this one with interior integrity (this one has NO integrity, just waiting for a new squeak from some new spot every day, or every other day.

Love the car's drivetrain, looks, style, but hate the interior integrity and now again...the headliner is sagging between the "3 buttons" in the back. One side looks like a lazy eye lid every time I look in the rear view mirror (it's ridiculous...really it is).

I have been such a HUGE Toyota evangelist and sent in sooooo many people to buy Toyota's...it is so embarrassing to have anyone in the car. I've been made fun of, because again I preach the Toyota Way to everyone...and people know that I am a car nut that loves Toyota...so man do I get razzed when others are in the car and they hear it...things like, "So, Toyota King isn't this only a year old...and man sounds like it's been in an accident". The car seems like it just does not care if it's a smooth road or normal road. Eh...it gets me going every time I start talking about it...so frustrated with it.

 

Dang it... What should I do then? If I take it to the dealership to get it documented, they are going to try to take the center console apart. I definitely want this fixed because the rattles are going to drive me nuts.

 

I know man...my work schedule is all over the board and I'm soooooo busy (typing on ToyotaNation now). ;-) But seriously...I just could not have taken the car in as many times as it constantly needed. But now I am determined...I have it arranged with my work that I'm just going to keep taking off work or do whatever it takes to drive it wherever Toyota wants me to drive it. I feel like the guy from Top Gun, "I have had it...I want some butts and I want some butts now". But it's not my dealers fault, and I love my dealer. And, I'm not mad or upset with them...and my dealer would and could attest to my patience and that I keep calm...but Toyota is dragging...really dragging.

She's been in 4 times with this last time they had her for 4 days. Again, I have a great great dealer who I love (obviously with my 12 Toyota's). And they are frustrated, too (nothing has worked as they've/we've concentrated on the back deck as something that should be fixable...but to no avail).

In fact we are in limbo, as Toyota told the dealer that they would not allow any more work until they came out. Well, 1 whole month and 6 days later I'm finally supposed to meet with a District Person this coming Wed. (9/24/14). I'm not sure what else they are going to be able to say, "yep it rattles, and it creaks, pops, squeaks...and the headliner is falling down". It just seems so obvious...that I just can hardly believe it.

 

TEK Rider -

I can only think that after all your previous good experiences with your many Toyotas you have now just had very bad luck with your Avalon. It doesn't do you a bit of good to hear that my 2013 Avalon Limited's interior is as solid and quiet as a bank vault at midnight, but that is the case. If anything, the quality of construction and workmanship seems unusually good. I have had my share of bad luck with cars in the past, and I am sorry that your number has now come up. Good luck in your efforts to resolve the situation one way or the other!

Robert N.

 

Thanks Robert...your words are encouraging...as have been my other Toyota's in the past (I cling to that).

But, I must admit that the delays of the Toyota District people have been concerning. My dealer emailing and calling them several times a week...and no date of when they will come out for over a month? So, I know Labor Day was in that time frame and there was a Toyota Convention in Vegas...but still they need over a month to recover from Vegas? (Sorry I'm not feeling the love from Toyota.)

So again, over a month of no response, and I cannot even go in an get my free oil changed, because they will not allow the dealer to do anything further without them.

That just does not fly with me...and in all honesty, the longer this drags on, and the more other Avalon's that I've driven since I even started this thread (ONLY 2 out of the 7) have been rock solid. Those odds scare a dedicated Toyota man like me...I honestly do not know if I'd even be willing to try another in fear that it would end up like some of the others on this thread, too. I mean if they are still having rattle issues on an Avalon built on 6/2014 (that is pretty recent). Just don't know...

But again, thank you for the encouragement!

 

Do you have a video or sound recording of the rattles by any chance? My car has 300 miles and now rattles are coming from almost everywhere. Left vent. Underneath the steering wheel. Center console. Wireless charging dock. Right side vent. Some are very minor and some are very loud.

I don't know what the hell is going on. I'm supposed to bring my car in on Monday and they are going to give me a loaner. Out of all the cars I've owned, I've never experienced something like this. I've even owned a Hyundai Genesis and that car was rock solid...

 

Yep, sounds exactly like my car...my best description is that it sounds like "styrofoam" rubbing together. Since day one (1) I've had the one that seems like it is up under the steering column. Then also any movement...push on anything in the car with a person's pinky finger and it will squeak, creak, pop, or rattle (opening and closing vents makes the same sounds). There is a difference between popping like sharp "light weight cheap feeling" plastic and "ticking" rattles that are more consistent.

I cannot rest my leg on my drivers door or it would creak all the time...I cannot rest my leg on the center console or it will creak more. I have to drive like a girl with my legs together (sorry to say). I hate to have to report my experience because I love Toyota...love the drivetrain and looks of this Avalon especially...love everything except the awful interior integrity. I cannot even grab the door handle to close the door without "cheap" crackling plastic popping sounds. It's just not the normal Toyota Way.

I have like 30+ recordings. I'm super busy, but I will try to figure out if I can put some of them on our companies web site...so that I can link to them. I won't be fast, but I am consistent and I will do what I say.

 

Has anyone solved the buzz in the rear window curtain.
Buzz when driving with or without music on when the screen is fully extended.


Dealer hasn't.
Maybe someone here has fixed it?

 

Sigh... So I dropped my car off at the dealership and I just got a call saying they were unable to hear anything. They told me they've put on some extra miles on it to really make sure but still couldn't hear anything. I'm scared how many miles they've put on my car and how they didn't hear anything. I offered to drive one of the technicians myself and they said everyone goes home at 5pm and I can't leave work that early...

My first Toyota purchase... Not looking so good so far.

 

It is also my first Toyota .. not impressed :|

 

wow. I have not noticed any noises from my Avalon. Black interior and quiet as a church on Superbowl Sunday.

 

Back Deck Rattle Noise - I may know what it is

I've had the rattle for the longest time and Toyota couldn't figure it out (3/13 build date, light gray interior, limited). Try folding up a piece of kleenex into 2''x2" square, stick it in between the back window and the back break light housing. If the rattle stops, it's the thin plastic piece which goes along the back deck where the rear shade unit hides under. That plastic flap is really thin and when it's hot weather, it will be pliable and will flap. That's where the rattle is coming from. Toyota uses minimal glue/two way tape to hold it down. When it's hot, the tape looses it's grip and the plastic unit will flap.

almost 20K mi, owned since 7/13, issues encountered and fixed:
- seat back panel pins replaced
- sour odor from the vents
- headliner replaced three times (Toyota attempted to fix 5 times)
- rattle noise in the rear deck
- driver side leather seat padding/foam creasing under the leather

I hated this car for the first 9 months of ownership. I even tried "Lemon Law" arbitration and didn't win. But, since all of these have been fixed, I'm starting to like the car! Good luck!

 

I've had the rattle for the longest time and Toyota couldn't figure it out (3/13 build date, light gray interior, limited). Try folding up a piece of kleenex into 2''x2" square, stick it in between the back window and the back break light housing. If the rattle stops, it's the thin plastic piece which goes along the back deck where the rear shade unit hides under. That plastic flap is really thin and when it's hot weather, it will be pliable and will flap. That's where the rattle is coming from. Toyota uses minimal glue/two way tape to hold it down. When it's hot, the tape looses it's grip and the plastic unit will flap.

almost 20K mi, owned since 7/13, issues encountered and fixed:
- seat back panel pins replaced
- sour odor from the vents
- headliner replaced three times (Toyota attempted to fix 5 times)
- rattle noise in the rear deck
- driver side leather seat padding/foam creasing under the leather

I hated this car for the first 9 months of ownership. I even tried "Lemon Law" arbitration and didn't win. But, since all of these have been fixed, I'm starting to like the car! Good luck!

I have had 3 of the 4 items done but no fix for the sour smell. What did they do to fix the odor?

 

"I've had the rattle for the longest time and Toyota couldn't figure it out (3/13 build date, light gray interior, limited). Try folding up a piece of kleenex into 2''x2" square, stick it in between the back window and the back break light housing. If the rattle stops, it's the thin plastic piece which goes along the back deck where the rear shade unit hides under. That plastic flap is really thin and when it's hot weather, it will be pliable and will flap. That's where the rattle is coming from. Toyota uses minimal glue/two way tape to hold it down. When it's hot, the tape looses it's grip and the plastic unit will flap."

You described my rear-deck rattle problem precisely! I originally wedged a piece of folded paper as you describe, and it "cured' the rattle, but it was pretty unsighly looking at the back window from the outside. I mentioned it twice to the dealer and the second time they put some velcro between the thin plastic flap and the plastic piece under it, and voila, no more rattle!

2013 TAH Limited w/o tech; crimson w/ light gray; 2/13 build date

 

Sometimes it is better to fix things and make them fixed.
The ergonomics or cosmetic look is the challenge.


I had a loose grommet plug that was a "push in and it holds".
It kept falling out. Dealer replaced twice.
It is fixed with a black nylon (plastic?) screw I found at the hardware store.
The diameter is larger than the original plug, but the nylon sort of self tapped and no scratching the metal surface with the oversize.
I doubt that it will ever need to be opened again. If so, it's replaceable with nearly no effort.
A metal screw would invite rust in the wheel well.

 

Well, I ended up selling the Avalon! Below is my final letter to Toyota Corp.

Toyota Corp,

Just wanted Toyota Corp to know that I sold my 2013 Avalon Hybrid Limited w/Tech Package at a $15,000 loss. I simply did not want to put up with it any longer or waste any more time "fighting" with even more untold hours filling out even more paperwork.

Needles to say…I’m pretty much completely turned off by the way Toyota Corporate did not replace my car after multiple requests (and especially after I’d personally purchased 12 Toyota’s, now 13 besides my better judgment). Even when my counsel was saying that I had every right to use the Lemon Law and go after Toyota Corp…I really thought that Toyota Corp would eventually take care of a good customer on their own…but instead I feel as if they just kept delaying to make a customer give up. They hung my dealer (who I love) out to dry with no solutions and no authorization to even try any further fixes after the 3rd and 4th attempts. Plus, 57 days where we weren’t even allowed to change the oil is simply unacceptable.

And then, when Toyota finally did say something…it was to ask my dealer to take a hit on a deal to get me out of the car, and into another one at my dealers and MY EXPENSE (as if it was my fault or my dealers fault for buying the top of the line flagship Avalon Hybrid Limited w/Tech Package) seemed absolutely backwards.

Why would any other party have to pay for Toyota Corp’s problem of poor interior integrity engineering of the hard, flimsy feeling interior that creaks, squeaks and rattles…that is Toyota’s interior engineers problem, not mine and not my dealers problem either…and they expected my dealer to pay the price for that? And me too?! Absolutely the craziest customer experience I’ve ever had anywhere!

That was the final straw…so I parked my Avalon in my garage hoping that Toyota would simply buy it back…since they did not want to take responsibility to replace it. And I bought an ’07 Camry Hybrid w/47,000 miles that is rock solid like my last 10 Toyota’s and completely the opposite of the Avalon Hybrid Limited.

I’ve had to change my number of rock solid Toyota’s down to 10, because of the drivetrain shuttering issues that have now come to light on my ’13 Tacoma Double Cab. Buying two (2) 2013 Toyota’s after so many great Toyota’s over the years appears to have been a massive mistake.

So, I took a $15,000 loss just to get rid of a car that had been rattling since my first email 8 days after I’d bought it. Toyota can consider the Avalon case closed…but if the Tacoma can’t be fixed (the fur is going to fly…because I will not stand for it on two Toyota’s in a row).

 

Not having to take the loss.
I was in to the dealer a few weeks back and the buzz in the curtain was just becoming persistent enough that I made an issue of it. 8350 miles.
I have 9400 miles now and it was close enough to get the oil change "service".
My dealer, after 4 visits and finally getting the back ordered shelf curtain unit, replaced the window curtain thingie. It has been buzzing intermittently for most of my ownership and after the third time at the dealer they decided to push Toyota to pay warranty to fix. It started to go up or down partially on it's own.
It had to be a new effort at the dealer. Two service guys took the most part of 2 hours, plus one guy for another 1/2 hour to get the seats back in.
Seemed difficult to replace. Remove rear seats and the wiring seemed to run down the rocker panel.


Although the seasoned replacer could do this in an hour, I appreciate that they did the work cleanly. The light sand color interior shows every scuff and dirt mark.


I saw the internal RO and the repair part $1050, plus $250 to install.
My RO said no charge.


After a week it's still quiet and I hope it's over.


Cruising with a newer quiet smile to LA this weekend and will see if it's good to go.