2013-2015 Toyota Avalon Pre Collision System Recall F0V

[OishiiJPN]

Recall Letter

Remedy Instructions

You can check the status of any Recall on your Toyota here.​

Condition:
In certain driving situations, the optional Pre-Collision System (PCS), on the involved vehicles could interpret a steel road joint or steel plate in the road surface as an obstacle or vehicle in the path of travel and activate. When the system activates, the vehicle’s brakes are applied automatically, the system activates Brake Assist mode, and the front seat belts may tighten. The driver will hear a warning buzzer, the PCS indicator lamp will illuminate, and a message will appear on the multi-information display.

Remedy:
Any authorized Toyota dealer will replace certain PCS components with improved ones at NO CHARGE.

Covered Vehicles:
There are approximately 24,700 2013 – 2015 model year Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles covered by this Safety Recall.

Owner Letter Mailing Date:
Owners of the vehicles covered by this Safety Recall will receive a remedy owner notification letter via first class mail starting in July, 2016.

 

[Raymond Alcala]

Hello I have a Avalon 2013 with recall F1V for pre-collision system problem. I took the car in and they said there was nothing to do for now. I'd like to know if I'm not to drive.
The first time I took it in they said they turned off. Since then the cars seatbelt and brakes abruptly stopped. So what to do. Thanks

 

[OishiiJPN]

Raymond, thanks for taking the time to ask your question and can understand your concern. Right now the F1V Recall is in the "Interim" phase which means that Toyota is working on a permanent fix. Once a repair becomes available the recall nomenclature will change to F0V. If you visited your local Toyota Dealer then they should have disabled the system for you. If you are still having concerns or have questions you can visit your Dealer or contact Toyota directly via their contact page here.

 

[Clifford Botwin]

Do you have any idea when the filx for the PCS system in mly 2014 Avalon will be available?

 

[Lewis]

The Dealer Techs are going through training now and parts will be allotted by VIN (meaning that you car has to be there with a written repair order and parts ordered). The repair may take around 2.5 hours or more depending on your Dealers schedule. I would not suggest that you wait on it. Drop it off and let them perform the recall. Ask them to wash it, clean the windows and vacuum it, then pick it up at the end of the day.

 

[OishiiJPN]

Do you have any idea when the filx for the PCS system in mly 2014 Avalon will be available?

Lewis is correct and it should be within a few weeks now.

 

[Miekina]

Considering that the system was faulty, will we be reimbursed for the additional cost of purchase in any way? We paid for something that has not worked and in fact, could have been hazardous. Will the fix be the latest upgrade being used in new cars?

 

[Lewis]

Considering that the system was faulty, will we be reimbursed for the additional cost of purchase in any way? We paid for something that has not worked and in fact, could have been hazardous.

Like every other recall with vehicles, I would say no.

Will the fix be the latest upgrade being used in new cars?

Yes, from what I understand. That's why the new harness is installed.

 

[New Me]

Did this faulty sensor stop the car from being driven and unable to start up?

 

[Lewis]

Did this faulty sensor stop the car from being driven and unable to start up?

Not that I am aware of.

 

[Eric]

Hi. I have a 2013 Avalon I bought new from the dealer a little over 3 years ago. I got several PCS recall letters and the dealer called and asked me to get this recall repair done. I actually had been driving for 3 years and had never had a problem with the PCS.I took it in several months ago and left it. They called and said only 1 tech guy could fix it and he had just started 1 month maternity leave. They rescheduled and I took it in 5 weeks later. They said they were having trouble and couldn't get it calibrated and had to get the top expert from another dealership to come tomorrow. Finally, they called a day later and said it was fixed. I drove it several days later, and for the first time ever, the PCS alarm sounded and the PCS light came on and then the light went off. I called and they said bring it back. Took a month to get an appointment which was 9 days ago (on Mar 22, 2017). They kept it for several days and told me to come get it. They said they could find nothing wrong with the PCS and it met the calibrations etc and no computer codes found. I took it home and didn't drive much until yesterday when I went on a 20 mile trip. The PCS alarm went off again 8 times for no reason while I was doing around 40 MPH on the highway. The alarms sounds beep beep multiple times and the yellow PCS light shows up and a red BRAKE sign shows up too. I went for a 14 mile trip today and it went off again twice. I called the dealer and the service dept secretary who didn't even know what a PCS was even when I described it, scheduled me to bring my car in again for the 4th time (next appointment is 5 weeks from now). I am feeling a little worried now. What should I do?

 

[OishiiJPN]

Hi. I have a 2013 Avalon I bought new from the dealer a little over 3 years ago. I got several PCS recall letters and the dealer called and asked me to get this recall repair done. I actually had been driving for 3 years and had never had a problem with the PCS.I took it in several months ago and left it. They called and said only 1 tech guy could fix it and he had just started 1 month maternity leave. They rescheduled and I took it in 5 weeks later. They said they were having trouble and couldn't get it calibrated and had to get the top expert from another dealership to come tomorrow. Finally, they called a day later and said it was fixed. I drove it several days later, and for the first time ever, the PCS alarm sounded and the PCS light came on and then the light went off. I called and they said bring it back. Took a month to get an appointment which was 9 days ago (on Mar 22, 2017). They kept it for several days and told me to come get it. They said they could find nothing wrong with the PCS and it met the calibrations etc and no computer codes found. I took it home and didn't drive much until yesterday when I went on a 20 mile trip. The PCS alarm went off again 8 times for no reason while I was doing around 40 MPH on the highway. The alarms sounds beep beep multiple times and the yellow PCS light shows up and a red BRAKE sign shows up too. I went for a 14 mile trip today and it went off again twice. I called the dealer and the service dept secretary who didn't even know what a PCS was even when I described it, scheduled me to bring my car in again for the 4th time (next appointment is 5 weeks from now). I am feeling a little worried now. What should I do?

I think you are on the right track with this. I would also suggest that you contact Toyota and have them open up a case for you. This way, Toyota is made aware that there is an issue with this and can lend some Technical Expertise if needed. They will also get on contact with the Dealer and apply some much needed 'pressure' to get this at the top of the priority list. If you know what I mean.

 

[Becky]

I am having the same problem with my 2015 Avalon Hybrid - took the car in for the PCS recall in January 2017 (had not had any issues before the recall fix) and now the PCS light comes on and alarm sounds and the "brake" warning comes on multiple times when driving. I've documented dates, time, speed, location and proximity to other cars and have had the car into the dealership 3 times. Between the 2nd and 3rd trips in, the alarm went off over 40 times. Each time they keep the car a full day and then tell me they cannot replicate any of the problems. It's no longer comfortable to drive the car as the alarm is, in fact, alarming and disquieting to me as the driver and my elderly passengers. This last visit Toyota gave me a long list of conditions where they say this is normal operations - but it is not. I have had a normal situation prior to the recall. I have called Toyota and asked the dealer to escalate the issue. I'm awaiting a call from the technician at the dealership, but they have told me they won't replace it as a defective recall fix. This is extremely frustrating. Anyone had any success with this issue?

 

[Lewis]

I am having the same problem with my 2015 Avalon Hybrid - took the car in for the PCS recall in January 2017 (had not had any issues before the recall fix) and now the PCS light comes on and alarm sounds and the "brake" warning comes on multiple times when driving. I've documented dates, time, speed, location and proximity to other cars and have had the car into the dealership 3 times. Between the 2nd and 3rd trips in, the alarm went off over 40 times. Each time they keep the car a full day and then tell me they cannot replicate any of the problems. It's no longer comfortable to drive the car as the alarm is, in fact, alarming and disquieting to me as the driver and my elderly passengers. This last visit Toyota gave me a long list of conditions where they say this is normal operations - but it is not. I have had a normal situation prior to the recall. I have called Toyota and asked the dealer to escalate the issue. I'm awaiting a call from the technician at the dealership, but they have told me they won't replace it as a defective recall fix. This is extremely frustrating. Anyone had any success with this issue?

Have you test driven the vehicle with the technician to show him/her exactly what it is doing? They have to be able verify the concern, no better way to do that than with you driving with the technician.

 

[john 192567]

I have the 2013 Avalon purchased new and drove 6000 miles round trip coast to coast and experienced only one problem.
The radar would pick up a "signal" from the flat backs of semi's and activate the brakes way to early. I learned to get in another lane earlier than I normally would to avoid this 'detection' but other than that no problems, so I am not taking it in just to be disabled or messed up.