Toyota Avalon 2001 Problems

Even though the Toyota Avalon wasn’t particularly big seller, there were still plenty of them made, so second-hand parts shouldn’t be a problem. The best bet is probably to take the broken handle to a parts recycler (we used to call them wrecking yards) and find an Avalon that is being broken up and recycled. That way, you’ll have a pretty good chance of finding a replacement handle that actually fits as well as one in the correct colour to match the rest of your car’s interior.

There are specialist Toyota wreckers (sorry, recyclers) in Perth and surrounds, but even generic wrecking yards are likely to have the odd Avalon lying around ready to donate its door handle. Toyota was also very good at sharing parts between models. So while you’re scratching around the wrecking yard, check to see if the inside door handle from, say, a Toyota Camry or Aurion or similar is interchangeable with your broken one.

We've recently reviewed the mid-sized frontrunners, which is where they should be looking, and the Toyota Camry wins on quality, driving and value. But if they need more space, then point them to the Skoda Superb, which lives up to its name and gets The Tick.

IT IS unusual a service manager would advise against changing the belt for starters. He's right that there is enough clearance so there is unlikely to be any internal damage, but if it does break you will be left stranded. Car companies are generally conservative when it comes to service on items like the cam timing belt, but I'd err on the side of caution and have it replaced.

TOYOTA had an LPG-compatible engine for the Avalon when it was selling it to the taxi industry, but the LPG industry tells me there are no problems running the regular Avalon engine on LPG either. For an installer, contact Apollo Gas.