Steering Column problems of the 2003 Toyota Avalon

Letter from senator ted cruz constituent and Toyota refusing to pay for a recall repair done on his 2003 Toyota Avalon (mailed to austin, TX office attn: susanna sovran). The consumer stated the vehicle broke down twice, and it had to be towed. The repair shop replaced the ignition cylinder and switch housing assembly, at a cost of $430. 00. Two months later, the consumer received a recall notice regarding an issue with the steering column upper bracket. The consumer went to the dealer, in regards to the recall, and ask if the recall was for the ignition switch, and the dealer stated no. When the consumer requested to see the part that was replaced, he noticed it was the same part, that was replaced in his vehicle two months prior. The consumer was denied reimbursement, in which the letter stated the vehicle did not meet the criteria, for reimbursement under the special service campaign goodwill.

2003 Toyota Avalon. Consumer states unintended acceleration the consumer stated over a year ago, he was driving into a garage, when the vehicle suddenly, and he hit a brick wall. The consumer realized he accidentally, hit the accelerator, instead of the brake. In 2003, the steering column did not telescope and tall drivers, such as him had a problem selecting the degree of tilt on the steering column. Because he could not extend the steering column, on that occasion, he tilted the steering wheel down, but further than he usually did. The result, was that the steering wheel blocked his right leg from moving to the left.

2003 Toyota Avalon. Consumer writes in regards to safety recall notice concerning steering column the consumer contacted the dealer on two separate occasions, only to be told the parts were not available.

On this date the car was recalled for a steering column upper bracket replacement. Today March 19th, we took the vehicle to our regular mechanic for front brakes and to check because the key will come out of the ignition when the car is turned off and in drive or reverse rather than park. It was also pointed out to us by our mechanic that the steering wheel no longer locks which has been the case since they did the recall work but we just realized today. He then proceeded to tell us about the recall and we explained we had taken it in for the bracket. So, in short, since Toyota replaced the bracket on this recall, the steering wheel no longer locks and the key will come out in drive when the car is turned off, which should not occur.