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To find out if your vehicle is involved in the recent recalls, you can enter your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on The Toyota Owners Web site to find out if your specific vehicle is involved:

Customer FAQs for 2000-2004 Toyota Avalon Recall

1. What is the condition?: Due to the improper casting of the steering lock bar ("bar"), which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the bar could break. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary.

If the vehicle while being driven is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft. If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash.
2. Under what conditions does this occur most frequently?: This condition mostly occurs when the vehicle is parked, the steering wheel is turned to be locked and the ignition key is removed.
3. Where is the steering lock bar located?: The steering lock bar is integrated into the ignition key cylinder.
4. How many cases have been reported?: There have been 6 cases of this condition lock bar breakage reported in the U.S.
5. Have there been any reports of accidents?: There are three unconfirmed minor accidents alleged to be related to this condition. The accidents do not involve injuries.
6. Are there any warnings that this condition has occurred?: No, there are no specific warnings that this condition exists.
7. What is Toyota going to do?: Owners of the involved vehicles will receive a Safety Recall notification by first class mail beginning in late August, 2010. Toyota dealers will replace the Steering Column Bracket at NO CHARGE to the customer.
8. How long will the repair take?: The repair will take approximately two hours. However, it may be necessary for the owner to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time depending upon the dealer’s schedule.
9. What if an owner has previously paid for repairs for this condition?: Owners who have previously paid for their steering column bracket to be replaced to address this specific condition should refer to the owner letter for reimbursement consideration instructions.
10. What if an owner has additional questions or concerns?: Owners with questions or concerns are asked to please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371 Monday through Friday, 5:00 am to 6:00 pm, or Saturday 7:00 am through 4:00 pm Pacific Time.

Toyota Announces Intent to Voluntarily Recall Certain Toyota Avalons to Replace Steering Column Bracket

TORRANCE, Calif., July 29, 2010 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it intends to conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 373,000 2000-2004 Model Year Toyota Avalons sold in the United States to address the possibility that the vehicle’s steering lock bar could break under certain conditions. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall.

This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on July 29, 2010.

Because of improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary.

If the vehicle while being driven is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft. If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America, said, "Toyota is continuing to work diligently to address safety issues wherever they arise and to strengthen our global quality assurance operations so that Toyota owners can be confident in the safety of their vehicles."

As part of the recall, Toyota will replace the steering column bracket on involved vehicles, a procedure that takes about two hours to complete depending on the dealer’s schedule. Toyota will notify owners by first class mail beginning in late August 2010 to bring their vehicles to their local Toyota dealer for replacement of the steering column bracket at no charge to the customer.

Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.