Common Toyota Interior Problems

  1. Bluetooth Echos During Calls

    What's the point of hands-free calling if you can't have a conversation without an annoying echo getting in the way? That's the position many 2016-2019 Toyota owners find themselves in as they struggle with their car's bluetooth connection.

    Continue reading article "Bluetooth Echos During Calls"
  2. Melting Dashboards

    One of the automotive world's worst science projects is coming to an end. Toyota dashboards have long been known to melt under the heat of the sun. The melted dashes warp and extrude a strange, goo-like substance that is oddly shiny and sti…

    Continue reading article "Melting Dashboards"

Where Interior Complaints Happen

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

What Toyota Owners Say About Their Interior

Hands-Free Calls Are Unusable Due to Echo Defect

New car. Wife uses for business, so echo a very serious and annoying problem. Toyota dealership has opened a case with Toyota. Attempted to adjust microphone sensitivity. Don't know cause of echo feedback. Suggest it is Apple IPhone X problem. Not so. Same phone worked with previous 2014 Avalon Hybrid Limited, previous 2015 RAV4 Limited and new 2018 RAV4 Hybrid Limited.

2018 Avalon Hybrid Owner

Hands-Free Calls Are Unusable Due to Echo Defect

When speaking to someone on the phone using the bluetooth connection in the car, the person you're speaking with hears their own voice echo back to them. I drive often for work and am frequently on the phone. It's extremely annoying for whomever you're speaking with on the phone.

2018 Highlander Owner

Hands-Free Calls Are Unusable Due to Echo Defect

The Bluetooth in this car for phone calls is unusable. The caller on the other end says it echoes awful and I have to call them using the speaker on my phone. I have read TONS of postings about this online - no one seems to know how to fix it but a lot of people have it. I have tried all the posted suggestions but nothing fixes it.

2017 Highlander Owner

Recent Interior News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A lawsuit wonders how Toyota can keep calling their bluetooth implementation "hands-free" when owners very much need to use their hands to prevent echos on each and every call.

    For years owners have complained about this issue, but Toyota's only suggestion has been to pickup the phone and turn it's volume all the way up after the call has been initiated. Oh, and also make sure the radio volume is below level 45. Sorta defeats the point, don't you think?…

    keep reading article "Illinois Lawsuit Says Toyota's Hands-Free Calling is Unusable"
  2. It's been a while since Toyota announced their extended warranty program for melting dashbord in 3.5 million vehicles.

    So, how are things going? According to [a] lawsuit, when Toyota first announced the warranty program the automaker notified customers and said it could take months to gather the replacement parts. However, Toyota then sent a second notice that removed the information about a timeline for repairs.

    Oh, well it can't be too long before everyone gets their replacement dash, right?…

    keep reading article "Owners Are Still Waiting For Replacement Dashboards"
  3. Is there a design flaw in the 2005 4Runner's automatic door locks?

    The SUV has been involved in multiple carjackings and now the victims are suing the automaker. The Toyota 4Runner lawsuit alleges the owner of the SUV had no idea the doors would automatically unlock when the SUV was shifted into PARK. The plaintiff blames Toyota for not informing consumers about how the door locks work and the dangers of doors automatically unlocking, especially in urban areas.

    Yes, you can argue the merits of the case, but the carjackings have all resulted in terrible stories --- from sexual assault to the death of an entire family. No matter what the judge decides, your heart have to be with those affected.

    keep reading article "Are the 4Runner's Door Locks Leading to Multiple Carjackings?"
  4. How hot do you like your seat heater in the winter?

    If you like it really toasty — as in, with an actual flame — you’ll probably love one of 7,700 Toyota vehicles with seat heaters that catch on fire. The vehicles have been recalled because fire and cars don’t get along, what with their tanks of highly flammable liquids and all. All the affected vehicles are equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters that contain copper strand heating elements. The recall is being handled by Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET) which is the world’s largest distributor of Toyota and Scion vehicles.

    The recall is expected to begin on July 14, 2016 and the seat heaters will need to be disconnected. Owners will be reimbursed.

    keep reading article "Toyota Wants to Stop Seat Heaters From Setting Owner's Buns on Fire"
  5. Like something out of a bad music video, the subwoofers in the 2011-12 Toyota Avalons are catching on fire.

    The problem doesn't have anything to do with how loud you crank the volume or how many times your local station plays that Taylor Swift song -- although let's be honest, it could use a break[1]. Instead, it all comes down to the subwoofer's exposed wires. When something in your trunk slides around it can knock the speaker's wires out of position. Once that happens, if they come in contact with the woofer's metal frame you could be singing come on baby, light my fire on your next commute.…

    keep reading article "Avalon Subwoofer Fire Recall"
  6. One of the automotive world's worst science projects is coming to an end. Toyota dashboards have [long been known to melt and warp][19] under the heat of the sun.

    The deformed dashes have also been known to extrude a strange, goo-like substance that is oddly shiny and sticky; like something you'd find in a toddler's coat pocket. This led to some understandably upset owners and a couple of lawsuits. Feeling the heat of pending litigation, Toyota announced they will extend warranty coverage on the dashboards in 3.5 million vehicles rather than go to court. I guess they wanted to avoid a sticky situation (I never promised that the jokes would be good, folks).…

    keep reading article "Toyota Tries to Get Out of Sticky Dashboard Situation with Warranty Extension"
  7. Does your dashboard shine like Mr. Clean's freshly polished cranium? Does it feel like you let a toddler loose with a glue stick?

    A new lawsuit says Toyota designed, manufactured and subsequently ignored dangerous Velveeta-like dashboards in the 2006-2008 [Lexus ES][4], [Lexus IS][6] and the 2007-2009 [Toyota Camry][7]. The lead plaintiff, Melissa Graham, says the melting conditions create a glossy film on the dashboard that make it difficult to see when it's sunny out. Melissa should just move to northern VT, it feels like my house has been under a never-ending wall of clouds the entire month of November. But I digress...…

    keep reading article "Toyota Melting Dashboard Lawsuit"