1998 Toyota Avensis Linea Terra from UK and Ireland - Comments

The first things to go were rear shocks and coil springs after 15,000 miles. The bushings in the rear also went shortly afterwards. At around 40,000 all 4 shocks and coils were replaced again. Then after that at different intervals gearbox, clutch, starter, numerous batteries, bushings in suspension all round, steering wheel worn through, gearstick worn, drivers seat broke, handbrake broke off, several sets of brake pads, also a set of rear brake shoes, lots of tyres, vacuum pump for brakes on top of engine, ignition switch, were all replaced.

The car has covered 120,000 miles on Irish roads in 1 year as it is used as a taxi. It is used 24 hours a day and is hardly ever parked. Most of the problems have been covered under the warranty up until now. Most of the problems occured after 60,000 miles but were still replaced under the warranty. very good dealer service. The car is still very smooth and quiet on the road even though it needs shocks and coil springs all round again!! The engine diagnostic light has a habit of going on and off even though no fault is recorded. I would say they are a fairly OK car, brilliant service from Tim.

Good grief, are you for real. You must be a one man demolition derby.

Most Toyota's are virtually indestructible, you must be treating it in an appalling manner, and I don't think things like a worn gear lever after 120000 miles is a relevant comment to make.

Several sets of brake pads and a set of shoes in 120,000 miles. Yeah, that's normal for that mileage, a Ford would have got through six times that figure.

Whats the problem?

If it's used as a taxi as heavily as you say, then I'm not surprised. Most Toyotas ARE very durable, but not Avensis's - these were built in the UK and the build quality is very poor.

This cannot be for real. If all those things went wrong in one year you could not possibly have done 120k -- the car would have been in the garage for too long!!!

Hi.anybody know how to reset an avensis sun-roof it will only close half-way thanks

mylesrooney@yahoo.co.uk.

>>This cannot be for real. If all those things went wrong >>in one year you could not possibly have done 120k -- the >>car would have been in the garage for too long!!!

I've seen seven year old Carina's cabs with 300-400k miles on the clock. If you share the car with another driver it is easy to clock that sort of mileage up. 120k works out at 328 miles a day over a year. Nothing for a Taxi.

I have a three year old avensis estate. It is very comfortable as a family car and economical to drive. However I have had problems with the front brakes producing a grating shudder when applied hard, and this was not convincingly fixed after a service and now requires treatment again. My wife was not given a satisfactory explanation last time this happened. Can anyone provide an explanation as to what is happening and does it have any safety implications.

I have a three year old avensis estate. It is very comfortable as a family car and economical to drive. However I have had problems with the front brakes producing a grating shudder when applied hard, and this was not convincingly fixed after a service and now requires treatment again. My wife was not given a satisfactory explanation last time this happened. Can anyone provide an explanation as to what is happening and does it have any safety implications.

Paul.

My 1999 Avensis GS is one of the best cars I have owned,

quiet engine, smooth gearbox, and comfortable. If anyone

has experienced steering column 'rumble', this was a recall

about 2 years ago, a faulty seal. Return to dealer.

I have a 2001 Avensis, 35K miles never driven hard or with a heavy load yet gearbox bearings have packed up. Yes I expect to get the job done under warranty, but 2 weeks wait for parts is not acceptable. No loan car so who pays for the hire?. At least the other jobs that are to be done under warranty and are still outstanding from January might get done.

I am not impressed at all with the car or Toyota service.

Wish I had kept the old Mondeo.

Somebody thought that he has has troubles with the Avensis front brakes. Well, those symptoms only tell that you have an ABS system in your car.

It prevents the tires sliding in hard breakings and keeps your car steerable..

I had a similar problem with my Carina before and the Avensis I have now - its the front discs having excessive "run-out", or not being flat on the surface, leading to vibration when the brakes are applied. My dealer has skimmed the disks to make them flat again - until I give them too much abuse, and they warp again.

The company I work for uses the Avensis. We have had about a 40 percent failure rate on gear boxes and lots of brake trouble with warping front discs. The warped discs give a grating shudder. Also we have had electrical faults like vent fan stays on when you turn the ignition off, warning lights, central locking opening all doors after being stood for five minutes and steering problems. I also suffered back problems due to a lack of support from the center of the upright part of the seat and had to down grade to the Corola. The Corola has got valve problems and the power steering drops assistance completely if you turn the wheel too fast with no warning.