Verdict
2011 Toyota Avalon: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2011 Toyota Avalon — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.
Owners filed 106 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 52% of 2011 sedans. Steering leads the reports (29%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2011 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
106
Reports to NHTSA, 2011
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
23
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 52% of 2011 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2011 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Steering issues lead owner complaints (29% of 106 reports), followed by electrical system (22%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 106 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11397586, ODI 11373521, ODI 11338711, ODI 11292561, ODI 11279406.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical System · 15V047000Details +Close −
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles manufactured February 9, 2010, to October 22, 2012. 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. In some cases, the damaged IC may allow a constant electrical current flow to the sub-woofer.
Risk: A constant electrical current flow may cause the sub-woofer to overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the audio system amplifier and install a protective cover around the sub-woofer, free of charge. The recall began on July 1,2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2011 Toyota Avalon 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon | 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 | 29 | 23 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2011 Toyota Avalon: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2011 Toyota Avalon?
Owners filed 106 NHTSA complaints about the 2011 Toyota Avalon — more complaints than 52% of comparable 2011 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2011 Toyota Avalon?
The most-reported problem areas are Steering (29% of complaints) and electrical system (22%).
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Avalon have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2011 Toyota Avalon, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Toyota Avalon get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Avalon at 23 mpg combined.