Check Engine Light On problems of the 1996 Toyota Avalon

The engine cut out/stalled in the middle of the expressway with no warning. Pulled to the emergency lane, turned off engine, waited a while, turned engine back on and engine light was on for first time. Towed car to dealership, who indicates it is oil sludge due to failure to change oil frequently enough. Oil has been changed every 4000 miles. Getting no satisfaction from dealer, who indicates minimum repair cost will be $3300 - $3500 for rebuilt engine. Made complaint to Toyota corporate, who also are not providing assistance at this time. Getting run around as complaint was filed, which is being sent back to regional office for handling. Regional office already indicated that they probably aren't going to offer any assistance because the 1996 model isn't included in the oil sludge recall on 1997 - 2002 models. Engine has just over 63,000 miles on it. I bought the vehicle one year old with 29,000 miles on it. Only 34,000-35,000 miles has been put on the car in the last six years of my ownership. I feel very taken advantage of, and placed not only in harms way by a defective product, but with a financial burden now as well.

Engine cut out/stalled in middle of expressway with no warning. Pulled to emergency lane, turned off engine, waited a while, turned engine back on, engine light was on. Took to dealership, who indicates it is oil sludge due to failure to change oil. Oil has been changed every 4000 miles. Getting no satisfaction at this point from dealer, who indicates minimum repair cost will be $3300 - $3500 for rebuilt engine. Made complaint to Toyota corporate, who also are not providing assistance. Getting run around as complaint was filed, which they are sending back to regional office for handling. Regional office already indicated that they probably aren't offering any assistance. Engine has less than 65,000 miles on it. Bought it one year old with 29,000 on it. There is no reason for this car to have engine trouble with less than 65,000 miles on it. Only 35,000 miles have been put on the car in last 6 years. Toyota needs to stick by their product, and make repairs that are required. Consumers at being placed in very poor position, and we are being taken advantage of.

I own a 1996 Toyota Avalon with 53k miles on it. It started consuming oil and blowing smoke on cold starts over the winter. I have done numerous maintenance and repairs to rectify the problem. Before then, the check engine light came on 15months ago so I asked my Toyota dealer to check the engine. They did some minor checks and turned the light off. Currently my car has been diagnosed as "engine internall damaged needs engine" both the service manager mike and the district service manager acknowledged sludge in engine that caused diagnosed engine problems. I have been trying to resolve with Toyota corporate personell as I became aware of the 1997-2002 Toyota vehicles with the same engine that are currently being repaired by Toyota under the "spa campaign" that Toyota said they worked out with your organization. I have been offered 50% repair from Toyota corporate despite being accused of neglecting my vehicle(I provided Toyota with all of my scheduled mainteneance and oil change receipts at well within their recommended time/mileage intervals. I am aware of many other 1996 Toyota Avalon owners that are experiencing he same problems/false accusations an grief from Toyota. Some have received full payment for their engine repairs. Toyota needs to take responsibility for the oil gelling(sludge) problems many of their vehicles are having. I feel that my 3 small children and I are at risk of serious personal injury due to the problem with Toyotas 6 cyl engine. I would like to know if there is any assistance you can give me and why 1996 Avalons are not included in the "spa" program when it is the same engine and same engine problems occurring. Please help. Monica at Toyota said it was with your organization, guidance and approval that the current "spa" campaign was implemented. Toyota needs to stand up tall and support their loyal customers in good times and bad. It is way too easy to be a "fair weather friend" . Now we are "neglectful owners" hmmm.