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Model-year record

2018 Toyota Avalon
Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor · See source file

2018 Toyota Avalon

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

25

Reports to NHTSA, 2018

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

24

EPA estimate

Known issues

Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (20% of 25 reports), followed by unknown or other (20%).

Air Bags20% · 5 reports
Unknown Or Other20% · 5 reports
Steering16% · 4 reports
Fuel/Propulsion System12% · 3 reports
Electrical System8% · 2 reports
Vehicle Speed Control8% · 2 reports
Exterior Lighting4% · 1 report
Forward Collision Avoidance4% · 1 report

+ 2 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 25 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11701511, ODI 11497996, ODI 11242028, ODI 11233352, ODI 11301611.

Individual complaint reports(25)

Showing the 25 most recent reports
Air BagsNov 2025 · ODI 11701511 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

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.

Reported
Nov 2025
Incident date
Oct 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11701511 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2023 · ODI 11532109 · crashDetails +

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).

Reported
Jul 2023
Incident date
Jul 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash
Open ODI 11532109 at NHTSA →
StructureJan 2023 · ODI 11503063Details +

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).

Reported
Jan 2023
Incident date
Jan 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11503063 at NHTSA →
Air BagsDec 2022 · ODI 11497996 · crashDetails +

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

Reported
Dec 2022
Incident date
Dec 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash
Open ODI 11497996 at NHTSA →
Fuel/Propulsion SystemNov 2022 · ODI 11495198Details +

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.

Reported
Nov 2022
Incident date
Nov 2022
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11495198 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemDec 2021 · ODI 11442884Details +

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. The contact stated that the navigation system, the radio, and the upper third brake light was not functioning properly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the EMU in the computer on the air bag that was malfunctioning to be replaced. The dealer replaced the radio but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was not available.

Reported
Dec 2021
Incident date
Sep 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11442884 at NHTSA →
SteeringAug 2021 · ODI 11430947Details +

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.

Reported
Aug 2021
Incident date
Aug 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11430947 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJun 2021 · ODI 11422114Details +

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,

Reported
Jun 2021
Incident date
Jan 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11422114 at NHTSA →
Forward Collision AvoidanceMay 2021 · ODI 11415720Details +

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.

Reported
May 2021
Incident date
May 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11415720 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherMar 2021 · ODI 11405151Details +

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

Reported
Mar 2021
Incident date
Mar 2021
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11405151 at NHTSA →
Exterior LightingNov 2020 · ODI 11375620Details +

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.

Reported
Nov 2020
Incident date
Nov 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11375620 at NHTSA →
Fuel/Propulsion SystemAug 2020 · ODI 11350749Details +

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.

Reported
Aug 2020
Incident date
Aug 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11350749 at NHTSA →
Fuel/Propulsion SystemJul 2020 · ODI 11341599Details +

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.

Reported
Jul 2020
Incident date
May 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11341599 at NHTSA →
SteeringMay 2020 · ODI 11323844 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

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.

Reported
May 2020
Incident date
Jan 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11323844 at NHTSA →
Air BagsJan 2020 · ODI 11301611Details +

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.

Reported
Jan 2020
Incident date
Jan 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11301611 at NHTSA →
SteeringOct 2019 · ODI 11271236Details +

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

Reported
Oct 2019
Incident date
Oct 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11271236 at NHTSA →
SteeringSep 2019 · ODI 11253690 · crashDetails +

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.

Reported
Sep 2019
Incident date
Aug 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash
Open ODI 11253690 at NHTSA →
Air BagsAug 2019 · ODI 11242028 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

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.

Reported
Aug 2019
Incident date
Sep 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11242028 at NHTSA →
Air BagsJul 2019 · ODI 11233352 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

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

Reported
Jul 2019
Incident date
Jul 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11233352 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlJun 2019 · ODI 11219860Details +

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.

Reported
Jun 2019
Incident date
Jan 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11219860 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherMay 2019 · ODI 11207521Details +

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).

Reported
May 2019
Incident date
Apr 2019
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11207521 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherOct 2018 · ODI 11132427Details +

THE PRE-COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE. DEALERSHIP MIKE ERDMAN TOYOTA OR TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN TEXAS WILL PUT IN WRITING THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS NOR WILL THEY DO AN ACTUAL TEST TO PROVE THAT IT IS OPERATIONAL. ALL THEY WILL SAY IS THAT THE COMPUTER ANALYSIS SAYS IT SHOULD BE WORKING. IT DOES NOT WORK AND WILL NOT STOP THE CAR IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OR WARN YOU OF A POTENTIAL DANGER!!!!!

Reported
Oct 2018
Incident date
Apr 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11132427 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherAug 2018 · ODI 11121781Details +

A. DAY DRIVING IMPAIRED VISIBILITY-REAR WINDSHIELD: A REAR WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE 2018 TOYOTA AVALON ON SUNNY DAYS.. THE COMBINATION OF THE STEEP ANGLE OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD AND THE LIGHT INTERIOR ON THE BACK DECK BEHIND THE REAR SEATS CREATES A GLARE ONTO THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS THE REFLECTION OF THE REAR DECK PANEL ONTO THE ENTIRE REAR WINDSHIELD. IT IS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE CLEARLY CARS APPROACHING FROM BEHIND THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. INSTEAD OF LOOKING THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW, THE DRIVER LOOKS AT THE REAR WINDOW WHICH CAUSES MORE DISTRACTION. THIS LACK OF CLEAR VISIBILITY CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2013 (NHTSA 10505067) AND SHOULD HAVE SOLVED IT. PHOTO IMAGE 5288 CLEARLY SHOWS THE REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY CAUSED BY THE GLARE WHICH APPEARS AS A HAZE ACROSS THE ENTIRE REAR WINDSHIELD. PHOTO IMAGE 5289, PROBLEM MITIGATED BY USING A DARKER INTERIOR (FOR CONTRAST, BLACK TOWEL ON LEFT SIDE) ON THE BACK DECK. B. NIGHT DRIVING IMPAIRED VISIBILITY-REAR WINDSHIELD HEADLIGHTS OF APPROACHING CARS FROM BEHIND SHINE THOUGH THE REAR WINDSHIELD, AND CREATE VERTICAL COLUMNS OF DASHED LINES AS SHOWN IN PHOTO BW1, WITH WINDOW FILM. THESE LINES ARE SPACED IN PROPORTION TO THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE HEATER STRIPS IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD. AND OBSTRUCTS THE DRIVERS VIEW. WITHOUT WINDOW FILM, THIS NIGHT EFFECT IS STILL NOT ELIMINATED AS SHOWN IN PHOTO BW2. TOYOTA HAS BUILT THIS AVALON FROM 2013 THROUGH 2018, AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED THESE DESIGN FLAWS; (1) THE DAYTIME GLARE ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD ON SUNNY DAYS, AND (2) THE NIGHT TIME VERTICAL COLUMN OF DASHES CREATED BY CAR'S HEADLIGHTS SHINING THROUGH THE HEATER STRIPS ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD. A CLAIM HAS BEEN FILED WITH TOYOTA BY THE DEALER, BUT TOYOTA HASN'T GOTTEN BACK TO ME.

Reported
Aug 2018
Incident date
Mar 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11121781 at NHTSA →
Service BrakesJul 2018 · ODI 11111801Details +

TOYOTA IN THEIR ADS SHOW THE AVALON TO STOP BY ITSELF IN FRONT OF OBSTACLES AND PEOPLE. MY TEST SHOWS THIS NOT TO BE THE CASE WITH MY CAR. TOYOTA ADVISED TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED AND THIS WAS DONE. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER PRONOUNCED THE CAR UP TO FACTORY STANDARDS. . PLEASE WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO : HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/XETNKNYB17W

Reported
Jul 2018
Incident date
Jun 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11111801 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJan 2018 · ODI 11065477Details +

THE LANE DEPARTURE BEEPING SIGNAL IS SO WEAK THAT I CAN HARDLY HEAR IT. NORMAL DRIVING NOISE SUCH AS TIRE NOISE, RADIO, CONVERSATION, ETC. USUALLY COMPLETELY DRIVES IT OUT. ON THE BUICK THAT I TRADED IN THE LDA SOUND WAS NORMAL AND ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS I DOZED OFF AND WAS SNAPPED OUT OF IT BY THE BEEPING FROM THE LDA. I AM DISMAYED THAT THIS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE IS ALL BUT USELESS IN MY NEW TOYOTA. A FRIEND JUST BOUGHT A NEW PRIUS AND HIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME WEAK LDA VOLUME AS MINE. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SAW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM ON ALL LATE MODEL TOYOTAS. I HAD THIS PROBLEM ON INTERSTATE, OTHER HIGHWAYS AND CITY DRIVING

Reported
Jan 2018
Incident date
Jan 2018
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11065477 at NHTSA →

Recalls(2)

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.

Fuel System · 20V012000Details +

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 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

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Air Bags · 20V024000Details +

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

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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

1 NHTSA investigation on record

Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.

Electrical overstress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Crash-test ratings

2018 Toyota Avalon 4 DR FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Avalon3.5L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive213024

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

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Compare the year-by-year record

Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.

2018 Toyota Avalon: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Toyota Avalon?

Owners filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Toyota Avalon. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2018 Toyota Avalon?

The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (20% of complaints) and unknown or other (20%).

How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Avalon have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Toyota Avalon, covering components such as fuel 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 2018 Toyota Avalon get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Avalon at 24 mpg combined.