[TedT]

Sent this to Toyota (Torrance, CA) and to the dealer service area.
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Toyota Corp. fax sent:

June 29, 2007

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Torrance, CA 90501

Reference: Toyota Avalon Complaint

Dear Toyota Representative:

This letter is a formal complaint as to the transmission anomalies which I am experiencing with my vehicle. It has about 1,700 miles.

Per the attached letter it was related that I was fortunate that a factory technician was on site Thursday. It was represented that new software would be downloaded and applied to my vehicle that would correct the problem. Unfortunately while I firmly believe the above steps occurred, the anomalies persist and now there is a new anomaly.

To wit, when I slow to a stop the engine RPM declines to 800 then increases to 900+ RPM and finally diminishes to 800 RPM. Rarely, does the engine RPM decline to the “normal” 700~ RPM.

All anomalies, documented herein this letter and the attachment, waste fuel, will lead to premature brake wear and are a safety hazard to the driver and other vehicles. Why is it a safety hazard? Because one must apply the brakes where in other vehicles there is no such urgent need during coasting or deceleration.

Please advise soonest what Toyota will do to correct these anomalies such that the vehicle operates properly?

Enclosed is additional documentation.

Yours truly,

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Dealer fax sent:

Reference: Toyota Avalon Limited

Dear Mr.:

This letter is to confirm the two voice mails that I left for you late this afternoon. As I related in my voice mails, the anomalies that I submitted to xxxxxx Wednesday evening (see attached) have been exacerbated as the issues persist and there is now a new issue.

It was related that I was fortunate that a factory technician was on site Thursday. It was represented that new software would be downloaded and applied to my vehicle that would correct the problem. It was further asserted that I would 100% satisfied.

Unfortunately while I firmly believe the above steps occurred, the anomalies persist and now there is a new anomaly.

To wit, when I slow to a stop the engine RPM declines to 800 then increases to 900+ RPM and finally diminishes to 800 RPM. Rarely, does the engine RPM decline to the “normal” 700~ RPM.

All anomalies, documented herein this letter and the attachment, waste fuel, will lead to premature brake wear and are a safety hazard to the driver and other vehicles. Why is it a safety hazard? Because one must apply the brakes where in other vehicles there is no such urgent need during coasting or deceleration.

Please advise soonest what Toyota will do to correct these anomalies such that the vehicle operates properly?

Yours truly,

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2007 Toyota Avalon Limited

Transmission anomalies
On a level stretch of road, take the car to 40 mph.
Then allow the car to coast to a stop.
At approximately 28 mph, the car’s transmission down shifts (?). At this same time, the RPM climbs and the car surges forward. Then it slows again.
Again at approximately 20 mph, the car’s transmission down shifts (?). At this same time, the RPM climbs (to 1,200 RPM) and the car surges forward. Then it slows again.
The increase in RPM uses fuel, which is wasteful to say the least.
If I am in traffic, I must apply the brakes which causes additional unwanted wear to the brake pads.
The surge (increase in speed) is hazardous as one must be mindful to control, the speed of the car as the speed does not continue to decline but in fact experiences multiple surges (higher speed) that need to be controlled with the brakes.
In the last three years, I have rented over sixty different cars, of varying manufactures, and not one has demonstrated this transmission anomaly.
I believe this is a defect in the transmission control system.