2018 Toyota Avalon

24 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Nov 25, 2025Failure Oct 26, 2025Easton, KSAir bags, Seat beltsCrash1 injured

   Involved in a 2 vehicle accident on October 26th. My car is totaled and so is the other car. No airbags deployed and my drivers side seat belt failed to lock in the accident. I was injured and taken by ambulance to hospital.

   NHTSA complaint 11701511
2. Filed Jul 13, 2023Failure Jul 12, 2023Rock Hill, SCVehicle speed controlCrash

   Date of safety issue: July 12, 2023 Location: Piper Glen Shopping Center, Rea Road, Charlotte NC (destination was Run For Your Life at 6416 Rea Road - within the shopping center). Time: Approximately sometime between 1:30 and 2:00 ET Police Report Complaint # - [XXX] On July 12, 2023 I entered a parking lot at a busy retail establishment. I chose a parking space that has a curb and bushes between the space and Rea Road. Due to the busyness of the parking lot it is imperative to drive slowly and cautiously. As I turned into the parking space the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb and crashed into the bushes. The brake did not stop the car until it jumped the curb. I then put the car in reverse and it again accelerated and the car spun to the left and then finally stopped. Thank God for the curb and the bushes which prevented the car from surging into traffic on Rea Road. And, thank God no one was in the path of the car when the car accelerated in reverse. That was a miracle at this shopping center since it is very busy. I went into Run For Your Life and told them what happened. The salespeople looked on line to see if there were other similar incidents associated with Toyotas, specifically the Avalon model. They printed out 10 pages of incidents over various years. The experience was horrific and clearly the car is dangerous to drive. I called Rock Hill Toyota and spoke with the service advisor I've dealt with for several years. The car was towed to the dealership. The dealership's attitude is another story - very disappointing. A report was made at the dealership with Toyota Brand Engagement. I do not want this car back. Based on my research I found that Toyota cars have a history with the acceleration issue. In some cases there were serious injuries and fatalities. This issue is not resolved. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

   NHTSA complaint 11532109
3. Filed Jan 22, 2023Failure Jan 19, 2023Baldwin Park, CABody

   Hello, My name is [XXX]. I bought my car from Longo Toyota in El Monte about 15 months ago. The car was certified preowned and had a Carfax report with no accident reported history. That is exactly why I bought the car, because this was going to be my family car. So I bought it and have been driving around my daughter, who just turned one for over a year. I also work as a Behavioral Therapist and drive around kids with autism in my car on a daily basis. It wasn’t until I decided to trade in my car that it was discovered that the Avalon car has frame damage, which was discovered by third-party. A car condition expert came to check out the car and discovered the frame damage by using a true frame meter and a paint meter. Now Longo Toyota in El Monte has gave me the go around and hasn't even checked for frame damage. Longo Toyota is asking me how much would I want for my car and asking me about my car's value. There is clear fraud going on, and the fact that this is the largest car dealership in the country makes me wonder how many more people are driving around in cars that have frame damage as well. Best regards, [XXX] “INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

   NHTSA complaint 11503063
4. Filed Dec 19, 2022Failure Dec 12, 2022Highland, MIAir bagsCrash

   Air Bag did not deploy during a major front end collision. Resulted in total loss of the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint 11497996
5. Filed Nov 28, 2022Failure Nov 28, 2022Annville, PAFuel/propulsion system

   Intermittently, unpredictably, for several seconds at a time, the engine almost quits, especially when accelerating So far, it has not happened in heavy traffic, but if it did, it would create a possibly major safety hazard. I have not taken it to a dealer yet. Just learned about the fuel pump problem that is associated with my 2018 Toyota Avalon. Plan to contact the dealer tomorrow. I have not seen any instrumental warning or notification. There is no warning that the engine is about to lose power and so far the engine has not stopped, but recovers to normal operation.. This has been occurring over the last couple of months. I fear for my wife's safety so that she will be unable to drive this 2018 Toyota Avalon 3.5L sedan until it is repaired.

   NHTSA complaint 11495198
6. Filed Aug 29, 2021Failure Aug 21, 2021Mexia, TXSteering

   At approximately 42000 miles with no significant issues and no front end damages, the steering failed as I was driving at highway speed (70 mph) on a 2 lane road approaching a 90 degree curve. The power steering warning light and a separate triangle warning light appeared at the same time as I felt a pop and lost power and response in the steering wheel. Thankfully, I have driven heavy power equipment in the past and was able to control the vehicle to the shoulder and there was no surrounding traffic. I was able to proceed to my residence at a slow speed on the road shoulder with no power steering and an almost unresponsive steering wheel. After being towed to the local dealer, it was determined the torque sensor failed and the entire steering column required replacement. I had no warning of this impending failure. The airbag recall was done on this vehicle by the dealer several weeks prior to this with no reports of an issue. It is unknown if the airbag recall service impacted this catastrophic failure. The dealership was in possession of the faulty part on 8/27/2021, when the repair was completed. I understand there were previous recalls on Avalons pre-2005 for this issue.

   NHTSA complaint 11430947
7. Filed Jun 24, 2021Failure Jan 15, 2021Carrollton, TXElectrical system, Warnings, Warning

   My car check engine light lane sensor light and Lad light came on and card had rough handling i took it to Toyota of plano and they worked on charged me $650 so i was was happy they fixed the problem after one day the lights came back they said it was the rodent damage a Rat chewed the wire because what i learned toyota is using soy base wires it attracts Rats they should not use it it is a safety hazards now my safety feathers don't work i can not afford $600 every other day so please recall this problem Thanks so many accidents can be avoided,

   NHTSA complaint 11422114
8. Filed May 9, 2021Failure May 7, 202115,770 milesANN Arbor, MIAutomatic emergency braking

   THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT APPEAR TO WORK. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN CARS IN FRONT OF US HAVE SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES, THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT RESPOND. WE OWN A 2016 PRIUS WITH THE SAME FEATURE AND IT ALWAYS RESPONDS ' FLASHING A WARNING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY SAID THE SYSTEM IN OUR CAR PERFORMS A CHECK EVERY TIME WE TURN ON THE CAR AND SINCE IT DOES NOT INDICATE A FAULT, TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE THE SYSTEM IS WORKING FINE. THEY SAID THERE ARE NO OTHER TESTS FOR THEM TO PERFORM. I'VE ADJUSTED THE SYSTEM TO THE MOST SENSITIVE MODE (ACTIVE WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US IS FURTHER AWAY), BUT THIS HAS HAD NO EFFECT. ALSO, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH USES THE SAME RADAR SYSTEM AS THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING WORKS FINE. THERE DEFINITELY IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING, AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS SAFETY FEATURE WILL NOT SAVE US FROM A COLLISION. THE ONLY WAY SOMEONE WOULD BE AWARE THAT THE SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING IS TO EXPERIENCE A NEAR COLLISION. I BELIEVE THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM COULD BE TESTED WITHOUT DAMAGING OUR CAR BY PLACING A LARGE STATIONARY INFLATABLE OBJECT IN FRONT OF OUR MOVING CAR. I WOULD BE GLAD TO PROVIDE OUR CAR FOR YOU TO PERFORM SUCH A TEST OR ANOTHER TEST THAT YOU MAY HAVE DEVELOPED. THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER TOYOTA AVALONS AND OTHER CARS.

   NHTSA complaint 11415720
9. Filed Mar 27, 2021Failure Mar 20, 202133,000 milesHouston, TXUnknown or other

   I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY RADIO HANGING UP PHONE CALLS AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. AFTER TAKING MY CAR SEVERAL TIME I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY CAR AND LEFT IT OVER NIGHT MARCH 18TH AND MARCH 19TH. IT HAD A CHARGING LIGHT ON SO THEY SAID IT'S BEST IF IT SAYS OVER NIGHT. WHEN CONTACTED THE SATELLITE RADIO COMPANY TO GIVE THE NEW RADIO ID, THE SAID IT WAS THE ID. I CALLED APPLE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH MY IPHONE, THERE WAS NONE AND WE EVEN WENT THROUGH RESETTING THE PHONE, JUST IN CASE CASE THE RADIO WAS STILL DROPPING CALLS AND OTHER THINGS. I HAVE A CASE WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE #2103032049. I CONTACTED THEM AND THE DEALERSHIP THE MONDAY AFTERWARDS MARCH 22, I STILL WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY ANSWERS. I HAVE NO PROOF THE RADIO WAS REPLACED, NO ONE FROM TOYOTA OR THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH IS MIKE CALVERT TOYOTA 713-558-8100

   NHTSA complaint 11405151
10. Filed Nov 20, 2020Failure Nov 15, 20204,000 milesQuakertown, PAExterior lighting

    MY AUTO HIGH BEAMS DAILY FAIL TO WORK CORRECTLY DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING, THE LOW BEAM WOULD BE ON, THE TURN SIGNAL CONTROL LEVER WILL BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE DASH PANEL IS SHOWING A HEADLIGHT WITH A WORD "AUTO" WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD CYCLE ON & OFF AS THEY SHOULD WITH THE AUTO HIGH BEAM SYSTEM. THEN THE GREEN "AUTO" LIGHT WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY GO OFF AND THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD NOT TURN ON ANYMORE EVEN UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS - THIS WOULD LAST FROM THIRTY SECONDS TO ABOUT FIVE MINUTES..THEN THE AUTO HIGH BEAM SYSTEM MYSTERIOUSLY COMES BACK ON AND ALL WORKING CORRECTLY AGAIN. THIS IS ONLY ON NIGHT TIME DRIVING WHEN THE AUTO HIGH BEAM SYSTEM IS TURNED ON WITH THE GREEN AUTO INDICATOR. THIS IS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND MOSTLY ON DARKER / RURAL ROADS WHERE HIGH BEAMS ARE DESIRED. THIS PROBLEM IS WITH THOUSANDS OF TOYOTAS..AND LEXUS ES ALL MODELS AND THE LAST FIVE MODEL YEARS. DEALERS TURN A BLIND EYE TO IT... ALTHOUGH IT IS OFTEN A VERY INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TOYOTA DEALERS WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT... LOOK IN ALL THE TOYOTA ONLINE AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS... IT'S OUT THERE...THIS HAPPENS EVERY AND ANY EVENING WE DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. VERY ANNOYING FOR SURE.

    NHTSA complaint 11375620
11. Filed Aug 22, 2020Failure Aug 3, 202036,000 milesHouston, TXFuel/propulsion system

    I OWN A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON THAT IS SUBJECT TO RECALL FOR A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE CAR IN 8/3/2020 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT FUEL PUMP IN PARTS AND THAT IT WILL BE LATE SEPT. OR OCT. BEFORE THEY HAVE THE CORRECT FUEL PUMP. IN THE INTERIM, I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.

    NHTSA complaint 11350749
12. Filed Jul 27, 2020Failure May 5, 202018,000 milesGlen Burnie, MDFuel/propulsion system

    CHECKING ON THE STATUS OF THE FUEL PUMP RECALL?? WAS SUPPOSED TO GET A NOTICE BY MAY BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE YET. I ENTERED THE 17 DIGIT VIN NUMEBER IN YOUR FORM BUT GOT NO RESPONSE.

    NHTSA complaint 11341599
13. Filed May 8, 2020Failure Jan 26, 202010,000 milesLowell, MAAir bags, Service brakes, SteeringCrash1 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN ANOTHER CUT IN FRONT OF THEM AND IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE LEFT, THE CONTACT ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A SIDE BARRIER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS LEFT ARM, LEG AND CHEST/TORSO AREA MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE UNKNOWN DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, STEERING, AND BRAKING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED REPAIRS TO THE BODY, STEERING, AND BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THERE WAS A RUMBLING COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHENEVER DRIVING OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESOLVE PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11323844
14. Filed Jan 24, 2020Failure Jan 24, 2020Columbus, OHAir bags

    TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) AFTER A VIN SEARCH WAS PERFORMED ONLINE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH NHTSA HOTLINE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11301611
15. Filed Oct 26, 2019Failure Oct 23, 201934,836 milesNashville, TNSteering

    WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE SPEED BETWEEN 60-70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKS TO THE RIGHT. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BECAUSE IT FELT SCARY (AS IF I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE) I HAD THE PROBLEM CHECKED THROUGH A REPUTABLE SERVICE CENTER- THE TORQUE STEERING WAS OFF; CAR JERKED WITH ACCELERATION

    NHTSA complaint 11271236
16. Filed Sep 6, 2019Failure Aug 21, 201944,000 milesSaint Louis, MOPower train, Steering, WheelsCrash

    I WAS TRAVELING ON I-294 SOUTH IN THE VICINITY OF, SOUTH HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS NEXT TO THE MEDIAN. THERE WAS A CAR NEXT TO ME THAT WAS BEHIND AN 18 WHEELER, PULLING AN EXTRA TRAILER. THE 18 WHEELER SWERVED TO MISS A CAR AND AS A RESULT OF THE 18 WHEELER SWERVING, THE CAR NEXT TO ME SWERVED TO MISS THE TRAILER; WHEN THAT HAPPENED I SWERVED TO MY LEFT BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE. AS I DID SO MY VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE EMERGENCY STRIP THAT MAKES A NOSE LIKE YOUR TIRES ARE FLAT, ALMOST INSTANTLY IT APPEARED THAT I WAS PULLED INTO THE WALL MEDIAN. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT I COULD HAVE CORRECTED THAT WITH ALL THE STRENGTH THAT I WAS PUTTING INTO GETTING MY VEHICLE BACK IN THE LANE.

    NHTSA complaint 11253690
17. Filed Aug 6, 2019Failure Sep 26, 20189,300 milesOklahoma City, OKAir bagsCrash1 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, TREATED AND RELEASED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER JIM NORTON TOYOTA OF OKC, 8401 NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73162, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINED WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A THIRD PARTY COMPANY SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER CAME TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CLAIM WAS DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,300.

    NHTSA complaint 11242028
18. Filed Jul 17, 2019Failure Jul 17, 2019Oklahoma City, OKAir bagsCrash1 injured

    2018 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS THAT DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTO ACCIDENT. *LD *JS

    NHTSA complaint 11233352
19. Filed Jun 13, 2019Failure Jan 2, 201911,000 milesForest, VAVehicle speed control

    IN DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR DOES NOT ACT AS DESCRIBED ON PAGE 237 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE MANUAL STATES EVEN WITHOUT CANCELING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SET SPEED CAN BE INCREASED BY FIRST ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE TO THE DESIRED SPEED AND THEN PUSHING THELEVER DOWN TO SET THE NEW SPEED." WHEN I TRY TO DO THIS THE VEHICLE WILL QUICKLY SLOW DOWN TO 1 MPH BELOW THE PREVIOUS SET SPEED. SOMETIMES, THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO BRING THE CAR DOWN TO THAT SPEED. THIS COULD BE UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY ON WET PAVEMENT. TOYOTA SAY THE CAR ACTS AS INTENDED.

    NHTSA complaint 11219860
20. Filed May 14, 2019Failure Apr 23, 20194,500 milesBakersfield, CAUnknown or other

    THE BACK UP CAMERA DISPLAY CLEARLY SHOWS THE REAR LICENSE PLATE. VEHICLE PURCHASED MAY 25, 2018. THE CAMERA AND DISPLAY WORKED FINE UNTIL 4/23/2019, DID NOT SHOW THE REAR LICENSE PLATE. BILL WRIGHT SERVICE OF BAKERSFIELD, CA STATED THAT THIS WAS 'NORMAL' AND REFUSED TO CONSIDER ANY RE-DO OR REPAIRS. CALLED TOYOTA FACTORY SERVICE (COURTNEY) AT 1-800-331-4331 AND SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD NO SOLUTIONS FOR ME. CONTACTED CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF AUTO REPAIR (BAR), THEY INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND ONLY WANTED TO CHECK INSTALLATION MEASUREMENTS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE INSTALLATION OF THE CAMERA IS OK BUT BELIEVE THAT THE CAMERA LENS NOW SHOWS A DISTORTED VIEW I HAVE TWO PHOTOS THAT I WILL TRY TO ATTACH WHICH WILL ILLUSTRATE WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT MUCH USE OF CLOSING THE TRUNK HAS CAUSED THE CAMERA LENS TO SHIFT DOWNWARD. NOT A VERY GOOD SAFETY DEVICE AS PER PL 110-189 2/28/2008 CONTACTED THE BILL'S SPONSOR, (XXXX), BUT SHE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS PROBLEM. ONE PICTURE I HAVE IS A LATE MODEL TOYOTA COROLLA WITH NO EVIDENCE OF A REAR LICENSE PLATE, AND THE OTHER IS MY VEHICLE CAMERA VIEW CLEARLY SHOWING THE REAR LICENSE PLATE. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

    NHTSA complaint 11207521