Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
4T1BF28B12U••••••2002 Toyota AVALON
This build draws 1.9× more complaints than the average 2002 Toyota AVALON build (10 vs 5).
10on this build
102on the model
19builds in total
3involved a crash
1involved a fire
3injuries
Most reportedAir Bags 5Electrical System 2Steering 2Suspension 1
What owners of this build wrote
Air BagscrashNov 2015
During a front-end collision in which my car was stopped and rammed into by another vehicle the air bag inflation sensor was sheared off it's mounting bracket. The air bag failed to inflate because the sensor failed to detect the impact
SteeringcrashDec 2010
The contact owns a 2002 toyota avalon. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the steering wheel suddenly locked and caused the vehicle to veer off road, crashing into a tree. The contact was reported injured and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. A police…
Electrical SystemfireDec 2005
Had driven about 10 miles. Stopped at traffic signal and noticed smoke filling passenger compartment, thought it was from car in front which had excess exhaust, rolled down window and cleared air. Drove several hundred feet and noted car fill with smoke and also coming from hood…
Engine And Engine CoolingSep 2013
While driving home on 9/24/13 my check engine light came on, I drove right to the toyota dealership. I was informed that the catalytic converter system was below threshold ( code p0420). This repair cost me $2,541.27. I was told this would correct the problem with my air bag…
Vehicle Speed ControlMar 2011
2002 toyota avalon. S10 appropriate handling- letter to the secretary from complaint regarding toyota problems *tgw the consumer stated when she applied the brake, the vehicle failed to stop and on one occasion, she went through an intersection. She also stated the accelerator…
Read all 10 complaints on this exact buildFull text, search by keyword, and the systems that fail most on cars built like yours.Unlock with Pro →
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 19 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 4T1BF28B12U263114 · decoded Oct 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.