KNOWN FAULTS · Toyota

Toyota Avensis (II) 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.4 VVT-i common problems.

2003–2008 · Petrol

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

2 known faults with sources

Applies if: Only the 1.8 VVT-i (1ZZ-FE), mainly before the facelift; Toyota changed the pistons in July 2005.

Oil consumption on the 1.8 VVT-i (1ZZ-FE)Engine

Engine / equipment: 1.8 VVT-i (1ZZ-FE): Corolla, Celica, MR2, RAV4 and Avensis
Period mentioned: Approx. 1998–2005
Symptoms: Oil must be topped up between changes (more than a litre every 1,600 km in bad cases), bluish smoke and fouled spark plugs; eventually misfires and a damaged catalytic converter.
Possible cause described: The piston rings on early engines stuck and let oil into the combustion chamber. Toyota changed the pistons in July 2005 and extended the engine warranty in the US.
Check for the garage: Measure consumption between two changes with the level set correctly and check the spark plugs and catalytic converter. If consumption is high, the lasting fix is new pistons and rings.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Petrol oil consumption and 2.2 diesel head on the Avensis IIEngine

Engine / equipment: Toyota Avensis II (petrol and diesel)
Period mentioned: 2003–2009
Symptoms: Oil consumption that rises with mileage (especially the 1.8); hairline cracks in the 2.2 diesel head; cloudy xenon headlamps, worn drive shafts, instrument lighting out from a weak battery, dirty EGR, starter and alternator.
Possible cause described: Toyota ran an action for petrol engines with extreme oil consumption (some engines were replaced as goodwill; the dipstick carries a green dot) and a factory action for 2.2 diesel head cracks.
Check for the garage: Measure oil consumption and look for the green dot on the dipstick; on the 2.2 diesel, a combustion-gas test on the coolant.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.