2011 Toyota Avalon Problems & Owner Complaints

Steering 31

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO READJUSTED THE STEERING COLUMN HOWEVER, EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WITHIN A FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,800.”
NHTSA complaint #11397586, 2021

“I WAS USING THE LEVER TO PUSH THE SEAT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ONE SIDE STOPPED MOVING, CAUSING THE OTHER SIDE TO DERAIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM HUDSON TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY, AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO GET SEAT BACK ON TRACK. HOWEVER, HE WASN'T ABLE TO GET THE SIDE MOVING, AND STATED THE ENTIRE SEAT RAIL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, I WAS TOLD I HAVE A LEAK IN THE ROD AND PINION SYSTEM BECAUSE THE INNER SEAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH, I SERVICE MY VEHICLE REGULARLY WITH FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA, AND NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS.”
NHTSA complaint #11373521, 2020

“WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPIC LEVER COMES LOOSE AND THE COLUMN DEPRESSES. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE PULLING UP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL, DURING SHARP TURNS FOR EXAMPLE, AND THE LEVER UNLOCKS. THEN AS SOON AS YOU PRESS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, PERHAPS SOME TIME LATER, THE STEERING WHEEL GOES COMPLETELY INTO THE DASH. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS FALLING AWAY FROM ME, AND I HAVE PARTIALLY GONE THROUGH TWO (THANKFULLY EMPTY) INTERSECTIONS BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED UNEXPECTEDLY.”
NHTSA complaint #11338711, 2020

Electrical System 25 3 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. AFTER BRIEFLY TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A BRIEF PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK A PALM TREE AT 5 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…”
NHTSA complaint #10779059, 2015 · crash

“FEBRUARY 25, 2014, I ARRIVED FOR MY 2 P.M. DOCTOR'S APPT AND DROVE VERY SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE. I WAS CONSTANTLY BRAKING BECAUSE THE TOYOTA AVALON SPORT 2011 HAS LOTS OF LOW TRIM IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I DID NOT WANT TO SCRATCH THE CAR. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, STOPPED THE CAR, THEN OPENED THE DOOR TO CHECK THE WHITE LINE TO SEE IF I WAS IN MY PARKING SPACE. THEN, THE MOTOR BEGAN ACCELERATING VERY RAPIDLY. BEFORE I COULD TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND I FELT LIKE I WAS AIRBORNE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE CAR HIT THE VERY TALL HEAVY METAL AND GLASS DOORS OF THE DO…”
NHTSA complaint #10575701, 2014 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REAR DOOR WAS OPENED, THE CHIME DID NOT INDICATE THAT DOOR WAS OPEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE; THE VEHICLE DOOR CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A WARNING CHIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SOMEONE FROM THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTACT HIM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 1,300.”
NHTSA complaint #10371008, 2010 · crash

Vehicle Speed Control 11 8 crash 4 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRUSH OF CACTUS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (REPORT NUMBER: 120223189). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR GARAGE WHERE THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE BUT COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 06/05/12 *BF”
NHTSA complaint #10456327, 2012 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FROM PARKING SPOT TO FRONT OF RESTAURANT TO PICK UP PASSENGER, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VERY FAST WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. BOTH FEET WERE APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT HIT CEMENT PILLAR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, TOTALING THE CAR AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER.”
NHTSA complaint #10970748, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES TO HER ARM AND KNEE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE TO VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST YET REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD BE SENDING OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE NEXT THIRTY DAYS. THE CURRENT AND F…”
NHTSA complaint #10375409, 2011 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Unknown Or Other 10 1 crash

“THIS TOYOTA WAS IN A SIX (6) CAR TRAFFIC CRASH LIST THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THIS CAR WAS NUMBER 5. CARS WERE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT. THIS CAR HAD FRONT END AND REAR END DAMAGE. THIS CAR MAYBE TOTAL. ONE BODY SHOP PERSON SAID IT WAS TOTALED. AIR BAG IN SIX CAR DID GO OFF WHICH DID HIT THIS CAR IN THE REAR END. THE FRONT OF THIS CAR HAS HEAVY DAMAGE. THIS WAS LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR.”
NHTSA complaint #10899684, 2016 · crash

“the rear trunk lid arms broken lid feel on top of me”
NHTSA complaint #11515505, 2023

“The rear sun screen will get stuck in the up position . At night there is almost no visibility out of the back window. This is a very dangerous safety problem. Apparently Toyota has had a problem with this feature with no effort made to correct it.”
NHTSA complaint #11481479, 2022

Visibility/Wiper 9

“Failure of the Sun shade in the rear causes a problem with visability. Stays stuck in up or down position. Creates a loud distracting grinding noise when in operation and highly reduces visibility through the rear window. Particularly when it is stuck in the half way position.”
NHTSA complaint #11442918, 2021

“THE REAR SUNSHADE DOES NOT WORK AND OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW OF THE REAR ROAD. IF YOU GOOGLE IT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT.”
NHTSA complaint #11361052, 2020

“I RAISED MY REAR SUNSHADE AND COULDN'T LOWER IT. IT WAS DURING THE DAY RUNNING ERRANDS AND VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. I CHOSE NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR LATE EVENINGS AND NIGHT BECAUSE OF SAFETY AND VISIBILITY .I NEED MY CAR 24/7, I PAID FOR THE SHADE TO BE LOWERED BUT IT'S INOPERABLE. THIS SUMMER I KNOW I WILL NEED THE SUNSHADE.”
NHTSA complaint #11318717, 2020

Service Brakes 7 2 crash 1 injury

“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FROM PARKING SPOT TO FRONT OF RESTAURANT TO PICK UP PASSENGER, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VERY FAST WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. BOTH FEET WERE APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT HIT CEMENT PILLAR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, TOTALING THE CAR AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER.”
NHTSA complaint #10970748, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“FEBRUARY 25, 2014, I ARRIVED FOR MY 2 P.M. DOCTOR'S APPT AND DROVE VERY SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE. I WAS CONSTANTLY BRAKING BECAUSE THE TOYOTA AVALON SPORT 2011 HAS LOTS OF LOW TRIM IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I DID NOT WANT TO SCRATCH THE CAR. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, STOPPED THE CAR, THEN OPENED THE DOOR TO CHECK THE WHITE LINE TO SEE IF I WAS IN MY PARKING SPACE. THEN, THE MOTOR BEGAN ACCELERATING VERY RAPIDLY. BEFORE I COULD TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND I FELT LIKE I WAS AIRBORNE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE CAR HIT THE VERY TALL HEAVY METAL AND GLASS DOORS OF THE DO…”
NHTSA complaint #10575701, 2014 · crash

“I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS 4 TIMES ON MY 2011 AVALON.. I CURRENTLY HAVE 173,800 MILES WITH 75-80% OF THIS MILEAGE ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE FRONT ROTORS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL. MY ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT THIS PREMATURE ROTOR WEAR ISSUE HAVE EITHER NO RESPONSE OR A FORM LETTER STATING THEY HAVE NO ISSUES WITH THEIR BRAKES. MY VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND TO ME THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. PERHAPS YOU CAN GET THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.”
NHTSA complaint #11186570, 2019

Structure 6

“MY PAINT IS PEELING OFF MY CAR ALREADY HAD ONE AREA FIXED ON IT & NOW MORE IS PEELING ON THE ROOF. THIS IS RIDICULOUS I'M STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR & THIS LOOKS HIDEOUS 🤬 TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOME RECALLS SOONER THEN LATER.”
NHTSA complaint #11282554, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS WERE LOCKED, THE CONTACT COULD ONLY UNLOCK THEM FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTIVATORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10983566, 2017

“MY DRIVERS DOOR LOST A NUT ON THE TOP BOLT OF THE DOOR CLOSING MECHANISM. THE DOOR BEGAN TO CLICK WHEN OPENED AND CLOSED. WITHIN A WEEK THE BOTTOM NUT OF THE SAME DOOR CLOSING MECHANISM BEGAN TO PULL THROUGH THE METAL. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AND SENT ME TO A BODY SHOP. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN THIS SAME ISSUE LATELY ON A LOT OF TOYOTAS. I HAD TO PAY FOR MY REPAIRS WHEN IT WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING. NO EXCESSIVE USE OR INCIDENT SUCH AS WIND WAS INVOLVED I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS AN ISSUE WITH HOW TIGHTLY TO…”
NHTSA complaint #10695185, 2015

Visibility 5

“2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS SLOWING DOWN, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP, WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. HE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 21, 2011 AS HE WAS ABOUT TO THE PARK, THE ENGINE REVVED AGAIN, AT A HIGH RATE, WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE REAR WINDOW SUN SCREEN WOULD ENGAGE. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10449878, 2011

“THE REAR POWER SUNSHADE CONTROL IS NEXT TO THE TRUNK BUTTON. I ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE WRONG BUTTON WHILE DRIVING AND OPENED THE TRUNK..THE TRUNK BUTTON SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY SWITCH WHICH DOESN'T ALLOW THE TRUCK TO BE OPENED WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10443916, 2011

“I HAVE A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED WITH A POWER REAR SUNSCREEN. THE CONTROL BUTTONS FOR THE SUNSCREEN ARE POSITIONED ADJACENT TO THE TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD LOCATED NEAR THE LEFT KNEE OF THE DRIVER WHICH IS HIDDEN BY THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING I INADVERTENTLY PUSHED THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON INSTEAD OF THE SUNSCREEN BUTTON AND THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN. I WOULD THINK THAT THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON SHOULD EITHER BE AWAY FROM THE POWER SUNSCREEN SWITCH OR NON OPERATIONAL WHILE DRIVING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10435458, 2011

Latches/Locks/Linkages 4

“2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEY FOB AND DOOR LOCKS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE KEY FOB AT TIMES WOULD ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. ALL OTHER DOORS HAD TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. MORE RECENTLY, THE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AS WELL AS THE LOCK SWITCHES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ECM. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11383733, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS AND THE REAR DRIVER DOOR. THE DEALER (GLOCKNER TOYOTA, 2867 US-23, PORTSMOUTH, OH, 740-351-2980) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT”
NHTSA complaint #11103853, 2018

“ON 3/25/15 THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH FOB OR SWITCH ON DRIVERS DOOR. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES IT UNLOCKED. SINCE THEN THEY SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH REAR DOORS AT SAME TIME. WHEN HITTING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON FOB THE DOOR BEEPS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DOES NOT UNLOCK. I GAVE UP TRYING TO UNLOCK IT AND WENT TO MY NEXT DESTINATION. AFTER COMING OUT, THE REAR DOOR UNLOCKED NORMALLY. I NEVER KNOW NOW WHEN THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK, AND AM AFRAID I WILL GET TOTALLY LOCKED IN OR OUT AT SOME POINT. I HAVE AN APPT. ON THURSDAY AT TOYOTA TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.…”
NHTSA complaint #10705301, 2015

Engine 3 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. AFTER BRIEFLY TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A BRIEF PERIOD OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK A PALM TREE AT 5 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE OF THE CRASH AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…”
NHTSA complaint #10779059, 2015 · crash

“The engine has quit while in traffic several times and the check engine light and the skid control lights are the only lights lit on the dashboard. Once the car comes to rest and one waits 3 to 5 minutes, the car will restart. We have taken the car to the dealer twice, ( each time the had it for nearly a week) and they could not find the problem. This is a very serious problem because the engine stops without notice causing loss of power steering and total loss of control. The lights for check engine and skid control are sometimes on when this happens, but not always; and the fact that these l…”
NHTSA complaint #11443659, 2021

“PURCHASE THE 2011 TOYOTA AVALON ON JUNE 13, 2010 WHICH ON MY FIRST SERVICE DATE I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING COLUMN AND HARSH FEELING OF THE CAR DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN. BUENA PARK TOYOTA KEPT TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG RIGHT UP TO THE LAST SERVICE THAT WAS DONE THE END OF JUNE 2014. ON JUNE 30TH WENT TO VICTORVILLE TO VISIT MY WIFES SISTER. ON JULY 2 2014 WE STARTED BACK HOME WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACKING LIGHT CAME ON, FORTATLEY THE ISSUE HAPPENED BEFORE COMING DOWN THE CAJHON PASS ON HIGHWAY 15. WE WHERE ONLY 2 MILES AWAY FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VICTORVILLE AND…”
NHTSA complaint #10608465, 2014

Seats 3

“I WAS USING THE LEVER TO PUSH THE SEAT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ONE SIDE STOPPED MOVING, CAUSING THE OTHER SIDE TO DERAIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM HUDSON TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY, AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO GET SEAT BACK ON TRACK. HOWEVER, HE WASN'T ABLE TO GET THE SIDE MOVING, AND STATED THE ENTIRE SEAT RAIL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, I WAS TOLD I HAVE A LEAK IN THE ROD AND PINION SYSTEM BECAUSE THE INNER SEAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH, I SERVICE MY VEHICLE REGULARLY WITH FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA, AND NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS.”
NHTSA complaint #11373521, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED WHEN SUDDENLY, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION THEM BECAME SUNKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,400.”
NHTSA complaint #10575395, 2014

“HEAD REST DOES NOT ALLOW DRIVER TO SIT UP STRAIGHT. NECK IS BENT FORWARD CAUSING DISCOMFORT.”
NHTSA complaint #10766466, 2011

Air Bags 2 2 crash 2 injury

“WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY F250 FORD TRUCK ,AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK,MY WIFE HIT HER HEAD ON GLASS AND MY KNEE HIT FRONT PASSAGER SIDE DASH. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10579475, 2014 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING VEHICLE ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ANOTHER VEHICLE, STOPPED ABRUPTLY. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10626717, 2014 · crash

Engine And Engine Cooling 2 1 crash

“1/7/12-12:30 AM I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY THE MOTOR BEGAN TO RACE. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE PUT THE SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD ( ABOUT 30 SECONDS) I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. 1/10/12- I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT . BUT THE EARLIEST WAS AT 8.30 ON 1/17/12 FOR WHICH THEY CONFIRMED BY E-MAIL. ON 1/12/12, (5:15 PM), MY WIFE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING AREA. SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. SUDDENLY,THE MOTOR RACED AND T…”
NHTSA complaint #10451332, 2012 · crash

“I WAS ENTERING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 80 FROM AN ON RAMP WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE, FOLLOWED BY WIND NOISE AND WITHIN A SHORT TIME A SNAPPING TYPE OF NOISE FOLLOWED BY QUIET. I STOPPED AN ON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE LEFT-SIDE PLASTIC UNDER-ENGINE COVER HAD FALLEN OFF. WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE RIGHT SIDE PANEL STARTED DRAGGING ON THE ROAD AND HAD TO BE REMOVED. I HAD BOTH REPLACED ABOUT A MONTH LATER. THREE DAYS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT WHILE ON BY WAY TO THE AIRPORT AND PASSING A SEMI TRUCK THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK NOISE AND ONE OF THE ENGINE UNDER-COVERS SKIDDED FROM UNDER THE CAR AND WENT IN A…”
NHTSA complaint #10532017, 2012

Exterior Lighting 2

“HEADLIGHTS BLINKED FOR A YEAR PLUS. HEADLIGHTS FAILED AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. LUCKY WE WERE NOT ON A LONG TRIP BUT WAS DRIVING IN SNOW. ALSO LUCKY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. RETURNED TO TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM AS OTHER VIV'S OF THE SAME YEAR DID. THEY REPLACED THE BALLASTS (NOTED AS DEFECTIVE ON THE REPAIR INVIOCE) AND STATED THE DEFECTIVE BALLASTS CAUSED THE BOTH HEADLIGHTS TO BURN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION. THE COST TO REPLACE THE BALLASTS AND HEADLIGHTS WAS $967.70. WOW. TOYOTA WILL NOT WARRANTY THE PARTS OR LABOR. THEIR CLAIM IS THAT…”
NHTSA complaint #11074346, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NEWLY DESIGNED HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGED HEADLIGHTS ONLY ALLOWED PARTIALLY ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND FILED A REPORT OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 750.”
NHTSA complaint #10392792, 2011

Power Train 2 1 crash

“1/7/12-12:30 AM I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY THE MOTOR BEGAN TO RACE. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE PUT THE SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD ( ABOUT 30 SECONDS) I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. 1/10/12- I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT . BUT THE EARLIEST WAS AT 8.30 ON 1/17/12 FOR WHICH THEY CONFIRMED BY E-MAIL. ON 1/12/12, (5:15 PM), MY WIFE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING AREA. SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. SUDDENLY,THE MOTOR RACED AND T…”
NHTSA complaint #10451332, 2012 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10716488, 2011

Seat Belts 2

“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side seat belt failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt latch failed to unlock. The contact stated that his wife was stuck in the seat for five minutes doe to the failure. The contact attempted several times before the seat belt unlatched. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled to be repa…”
NHTSA complaint #11628627, 2024

“2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES SEAT BELT REMINDER ALARM DINGS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN GOES INTO A RAPID EXTENDED REMINDER. *TGW”
NHTSA complaint #10409573, 2011

Fuel System 1 1 crash

“FEBRUARY 25, 2014, I ARRIVED FOR MY 2 P.M. DOCTOR'S APPT AND DROVE VERY SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE. I WAS CONSTANTLY BRAKING BECAUSE THE TOYOTA AVALON SPORT 2011 HAS LOTS OF LOW TRIM IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I DID NOT WANT TO SCRATCH THE CAR. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, STOPPED THE CAR, THEN OPENED THE DOOR TO CHECK THE WHITE LINE TO SEE IF I WAS IN MY PARKING SPACE. THEN, THE MOTOR BEGAN ACCELERATING VERY RAPIDLY. BEFORE I COULD TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND I FELT LIKE I WAS AIRBORNE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE CAR HIT THE VERY TALL HEAVY METAL AND GLASS DOORS OF THE DO…”
NHTSA complaint #10575701, 2014 · crash

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT EVEN SLOW THE CAR. IT WAS ONLY STOPPED BY HITTING A LOW RETAINING WAS, KNOCKING IT DOWN, AND THEN FALLING OVER THE EDGE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND BEING SUSPENDED LIKE A "SEE-SAW" OVER THE EDGE OF THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A 10+ FOOT DROP OFF INTO A WOODED RAVINE.”
NHTSA complaint #10875154, 2016

Parking Brake 1

“2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH PARKING BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD ON A 6% GRADE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THE DEALER ADJUSTED IT TO SPECIFICATION, BUT THE BRAKE STILL DID NOT HOLD. THE STEERING WHEEL TELESCOPE CLAMP LEVEL VIBRATED LOOSE, ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO TELESCOPE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INDICATED THE MALFUNCTION WAS SOMEWHAT COMMON, BUT TOYOTA HAD NOT ISSUED A REPAIR BULLETIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10480283, 2012

Suspension 1

“AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65+) THE FRONT END VIBRATES AND CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEATS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10442726, 2011