Toyota Avalon reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 627 complaints about the Toyota Avalon with NHTSA since 2010, most often about other or unspecified and electrical system. Toyota has filed 14 warranty extensions and 12 service campaigns for it, and there are 23 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Toyota Avalon? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Avalon a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 627
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 14
- Filed by Toyota
- Service campaigns
- 12
- Filed by Toyota
- Safety recalls
- 23
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Avalon with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | Other or unspecified (50%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 21 | Airbags (57%) | 2 | 3 |
| 2020 | 10 | Fuel and propulsion (50%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2019 | 71 | Electrical system (24%) | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | 24 | Airbags (25%) | 2 | 7 |
| 2017 | 14 | Engine (43%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2016 | 23 | Other or unspecified (22%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2015 | 41 | Brakes (22%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2014 | 96 | Other or unspecified (22%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2013 | 137 | Body and structure (18%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2012 | 30 | Body and structure (20%) | 4 | 5 |
| 2011 | 106 | Steering (29%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2010 | 46 | Cruise control and speed control (28%) | 6 | 12 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Avalon model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Toyota
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Toyota filed with NHTSA for the Avalon, in its own words. A warranty extension means Toyota pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionDec 2024· Engine· model years 2019–2021
This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on Certain 2019-2021 Avalon & Avalon HV, 2018-2021 Camry & Camry HV, Certain 2020-2021 Corolla, Certain 2019-2021 Corolla HB, 2020-2021 Highlander, Certain 2019-2021 RAV4 & RAV4 HV,…
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Brakes· model years 2018–2020
On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2023· Brakes· model years 2018
On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2017
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS Customer Support Program ZKG Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint
- Warranty extensionDec 2019· Body and structure· model years 2010–2017
Dealer Daily Message: ***Phase 2 ? Customer Renotification and Repair Phase*** Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint.
- Warranty extensionNov 2017· Mobility equipment· model years 2010
Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of heat or humidity.
- Warranty extensionDec 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Wpb: Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of heat or humidity.
- Warranty extensionDec 2015· Electrical system· model years 2010
In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota has announced a Warranty Enhancement Program (the ?Program?).
- Warranty extensionDec 2015· Electrical system· model years 2010
WPB: Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of heat or humidity.
- Warranty extensionSep 2015· Engine· model years 2010
Wpb: Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. Toyota is now announcing the part replacement phase of warranty enhancement program ZE7 for vehicles exhibiting excessive engine oil consumption.
- Warranty extensionDec 2014· Electrical system· model years 2010
Electronic Communication: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program.
- Warranty extensionDec 2014· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
Warranty enhancement program.
- Warranty extensionApr 2014· Steering· model years 2010–2012
In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for the Steering Column Telescopic Adjustment Lever Detent Clip in 2005- Certain 2012 Model Year Avalon vehicles.
- Warranty extensionApr 2014· Steering· model years 2010–2012
In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where, after securing the telescopic adjustment lever, the steering column?s telescopic adjustment function may not retain its set adjusted position.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Electrical system· model years 2013–2022
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
- Service campaignMar 2021· Airbags· model years 2010–2021
Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2020
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignJan 2020· Engine· model years 2020
Technical instructions: Technical instructions for special service campaign 19TC06 engine ECU reprogram certain 2020 Camry 2020 Avalon
- Service campaignOct 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignAug 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- Service campaignJan 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements.
- Service campaignJan 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Technical Instructions: LSC Expired on December 31, 2017. TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN F0B OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SENSOR CERTAIN 2012–2013 MODEL YEAR TMMK CAMRY & CAMRY HV.
- Service campaignSep 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013–2014
September 27, 2017. A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that E0J expired on July 31, 2017.
- Service campaignJun 2016· Visibility· model years 2015–2016
This communication is informing vehicle owners of a special service campaign initiated by gulf states toyota, inc.
- Service campaignJun 2016· Visibility· model years 2015–2016
This communication is informing all dealer principals, general managers, service managers & parts managers of a special service campaign initiated by gulf states toyota, inc.
- Service campaignApr 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2014
In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is launching a Limited Service Campaign on certain 2012 - 2013 MY Tundra and Sequoia vehicles This LSC will cover approx. 19,000 Sequoia and 103,000 Tundra vehicles equipped with a 5.7 liter engine.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Avalon model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Other or unspecified91 (15%)
- Electrical system85 (14%)
- Cruise control and speed control70 (11%)
- Airbags62 (10%)
- Body and structure56 (9%)
- Steering52 (8%)
- Visibility and wipers45 (7%)
- Brakes41 (7%)
Safety recalls
23 recalls cover at least one Avalon model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event…
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS…
The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.
The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check.
During a vehicle repair, the seat belt inner buckles may have been replaced with parts that may incorrectly tell the air bag management system that the seat belt is always buckled.
The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment.
In the affected vehicles, the sub-woofer speaker located in the trunk may experience an intermittent electrical short which may cause damage to the integrated circuit (IC) in the audio amplifier.
The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
And 8 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA19001Engineering analysis· opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024· Airbags· model years 2012–2018
Electrical overstress
Led to recall 20V024.
NHTSA's own page for the 2022 Toyota Avalon has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Toyota Avalon reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 627 owner complaints, 14 warranty extensions and 12 service campaigns Toyota filed, and 23 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2013 (137), 2011 (106), 2014 (96). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Avalon?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name other or unspecified (15%), electrical system (14%), cruise control and speed control (11%). Toyota has filed 14 warranty extensions covering the Avalon, listed on this page.
Which Avalon model years have the most complaints?
2013 (137), 2011 (106), 2014 (96). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Avalon with each other rather than with other models.
Has Toyota extended the warranty on the Avalon?
Yes: engine (model years 2019–2021); brakes (model years 2018–2020); brakes (model years 2018), and 11 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Avalon?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 23 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.