Toyota Avensis problems

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The Toyota Avensis (Japanese: トヨタ・アベンシス, Hepburn: Toyota Abenshisu) is a mid-size/large family car built in Derbyshire, United Kingdom by the Japanese automaker Toyota from October 1997 to August 2018. It was the direct successor to the European Carina E and was available as a four-door saloon, five-door liftback and estate.

The Avensis was introduced in 1997, to create a more modern name when compared with the Carina E. The "Avensis" name is derived from the French term avancer, meaning "to advance" or "move forward". The Avensis was not sold in North America, and it is related to the Scion tC coupé. It also shared a platform with the Allion and Premio and was available at Japanese dealership network Toyota Netz Store.

An MPV called the Avensis Verso (Ipsum in Japan and previously the Picnic in other markets) was built in Japan on a separate platform.

photo of Toyota Avensis car production

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Toyota Avensis model years

toyota avensis 2011 photo
Avensis 2011
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Common Toyota Avensis problems

The Toyota Avensis, a family car produced by the Japanese manufacturer, has been known for its reliability since its introduction in 1997. However, like any vehicle, it has some common problems that owners have reported.

  • Headlight Condensation: One of the most common issues with the Toyota Avensis is headlight condensation, particularly in the early morning.
  • Clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF): The Avensis' DPF, which is designed to reduce emissions, can become clogged with soot, leading to stalling, rough rides, and a pungent smell.
  • Steering Rattle: A recall was issued for the Avensis due to a steering column problem that caused a rattling noise when cornering.
  • Brake Imbalance: Another recall was issued for the Avensis due to an imbalance in the braking system, which could lead to longer braking distances and potential safety issues.
  • Clutch Issues: The Avensis is known for its clutch problems, with the clutch master cylinder being a common culprit.
  • EGR Valve: The EGR valve on the Avensis is prone to blockages, which can cause plumes of black smoke from the exhaust and reduced engine performance.
  • Sat-Nav Giving Wrong Directions: The Avensis' infotainment system has been criticized for providing incorrect directions, leading to frustration for drivers.
  • Airbags: Some Avensis models built between 6 September 2016 and 21 October 2016 may have a problem with side airbags that might not activate in a collision.
  • Exhaust Bolts: The exhaust system of 2.0-litre diesel models manufactured between 23 June 2016 and 27 October 2016 may have bolts that can work loose, potentially causing damage to the turbocharger.

While the Toyota Avensis is generally reliable, these common problems should be considered when purchasing a used vehicle. Regular maintenance and servicing can help prevent many of these issues, ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience.

Toyota Avensis

Are Toyota Avensis reliable?

Not only does it offer exceptional value for money, it's also one of the most comfortable cars in its class. Throw into the mix the cheap running costs and excellent reliability and you've got the hallmarks of a great used car." The Toyota Avensis is the car you buy when you've got little imagination, right?

How many miles will a Toyota Avensis last?

What is Toyota Avensis lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Toyota Avensis is 257,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit.

Why did Toyota discontinue the Avensis?

The Avensis makes way for the Camry hybrid, with the Camry name returning to the UK after a 14-year hiatus. Sales of the Avensis have been slow, given the decline of D-segment saloons as buyers opt for SUVs. Toyota sold 3473 examples of the Avensis in 2017, compared with 3921 RAV4s.

Does a Toyota Avensis have a timing belt or chain?

Expert answer

You've not told us the year, which is a key thing, here, as the current Avensis (first launched in 2009) uses a timing chain in its 2.0-litre diesel engine, but some versions of the previous version use a timing belt.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Toyota Avensis years

We have researched Toyota problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Toyota Avensis cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Toyota Avensis model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Toyota Avensis model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Toyota Avensis years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Toyota Avensis car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Toyota Avensis , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Suspension problems
  • Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Toyota Avensis vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Avensis model years

A total of 1 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Avensis model years

There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Toyota Avensis . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Toyota Avensis vehicles.

List of Toyota Avensis complaints

Toyota Avensis 2011
  • Date Of Incident: 2014-06-24
  • Date Complaint: 2015-04-08
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: SB1BE76L40E
  • Components: SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS
  • Summary: DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I AM A US CITIZEN LIVING IN SERBIA, EUROPE, WORKING AS AN EXPAT FOR AMERICAN SEMICONDUCTOR COMPANY WITHIN EAST EUROPEAN SALES DIVISION. I AM BRINING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE US MODELS OF TOYOTA MAY HAVE IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEMS AS THE ONE IN AVENSIS THAT CRASHED. ON JUNE 24TH, 2014, AN INEXPLICABLE CAR CRASH HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. AT 8:30AM AND PERFECT WEATHER (MOSTLY SUNNY 75F), MY TOYOTA SUDDENLY STARTED TURNING AROUND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AT ABOUT 75MPH. I TRIED TO RETURN IT BACK BY PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT, BUT EVEN STRONGER FORCE PULLED MY CAR TO ROTATE AROUND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL, TURNING THE CAR BY 180 DEGREES. THEN, MY CAR SLAMMED WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AGAINST THE OUTSIDE GUARDRAIL. THE CAR THEN FLEW UP IN THE AIR, TURNING SEVERAL TIMES AROUND ITS CENTRAL AXIS, BEFORE LANDING IN THE FIELDS NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLY. UPON EXPERT WITNESS REPORT THAT THE BREAKAGE OF THE FRONT RIGHT HALFSHAFT AND FRONT RIGHT "OSCILLATING BALL SHOULDER" CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, I CONTACTED TOYOTA SERBIA TO HELP WITH THE INVESTIGATIONS AS A POSSIBLE REASON WAS, PER EXPERT WITNESS, POOR QUALITY CONTROL. TOYOTA SERBIA RECEIVED THE PARTS IN QUESTION AND SENT THEM TO TOYOTA EUROPE INVESTIGATIONS CENTER IN BELGIUM. AFTER LONG SEVERAL MONTHS, TOYOTA SERBIA SENT AN ABRIDGED REPORT IN SERBIAN LANGAUGE. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO SEND THE ORIGINAL REPORT IN ENGLISH. IN SUMMARY , TOYOTA'S BEHAVIOR IS VERY UNUSUAL, THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER HOW THESE COMPONENTS AND PARTS COULD BRAKE AT ALL. THEY ALSO DID NOT RESPOND TO THE QUESTION WHY AIRBAG SYSTEM DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE HIT AND SEVERE TUMBLING. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY CLAIM THAT THE TUMBLING DAMAGED HALFSHAFT. ALSO, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS ONE DAMAGE TO THE COATING OF THE HALFSHAFT OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN THAT THEY DIDN'T EXPLAIN. *TR

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