2012 Toyota Avalon Problems & Owner Complaints

Air Bags 6 4 crash 5 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN AN 18 WHEELER COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SPINAL INJURIES AND BRUISES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN 18 WHEELER STROKE THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE REAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOST…”
NHTSA complaint #11316549, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“MY VEHICLES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I WAS HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAD AT LEAST 2 REAR END HITS BY THIS 18 WHEELER ESTIMATED AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF 25 MILES PER HOUR FASTER THAN MINE (I WAS GOING AT 70MPH NORTHBOUND ON US 75, NINE MILES SOUTH OF TULSA OKLAHOMA ON A SUNNY MONDAY AT 3PM). THE STREET WAS DRY. THE TRUCK INITIALLY HIT ME ON MY REAR AND ON MY LEFT REAR QUARTER. I WAS SPUN IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND HE HIT ME AGAIN ON THE REAR QUARTER AND THE BUMPER AND SPUN ME IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND THEN PUSHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AT AN ESTIMATED 40+ MPH.…”
NHTSA complaint #11161898, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUCK THEIR HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. THE POLICE WERE PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE…”
NHTSA complaint #10594538, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Structure 6 1 crash 1 injury

“THE TRUNK LID IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY COUNTERBALANCED AND FALLS CLOSED EVEN WHEN RAISED TO ITS UPPER LIMIT. SOMETIMES THE LID WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SWITCH; IT UNLOCKS, BUT DOES NOT OPEN (3 FAILURES). THIS FAILED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE LID FELL CLOSED, NUMEROUS TIMES, MINOR INJURY TO MY HEAD (1 TIME). TOYOTA TELLS ME NOTHING IS WRONG AND IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED”
NHTSA complaint #10700569, 2014 · 1 injury(ies)

“I ATTEMPTING TO PARK . THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND STRUCK A HANDICAP SIGN AND THEN STRUCK THE BUILDING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10706213, 2015 · crash

“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while it was hot outside, or whenever there was direct sunlight on the dashboard, the dashboard would become very sticky. The contact stated that the glare on the windshield from the reflection of the dashboard made it very difficult to see out the windshield. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer, and manufacturer about the failure, and was informed that previously there was a recall for the failure however, the recall had expired. The contact contacted the NHTSA after researching the failure. The failure mileage was 50,…”
NHTSA complaint #11460724, 2022

Electrical System 4 1 fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED THE SUB-WOOFER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 5/19/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUB WOOFER EXPERIENCED A FIRE BY A FAULTY WIRE.…”
NHTSA complaint #10705855, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.”
NHTSA complaint #10783467, 2015

“2012 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RADIO SUB-WOOFER RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO OCCASIONS, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE ISSUE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE DEALER STATED THE HAD NOT RECEIVED THE MEANS OR THE INFORMATION AS TO HOW TO CORRECT THE SUB-WOOFER PROBLEM BUT HE WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN THE REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE. ON MAY 13TH, THERE WAS A LOUD CRACKLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONSUMER TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR, HE BELIEVED IT HAD…”
NHTSA complaint #10726044, 2015

Vehicle Speed Control 4 4 crash 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUCK THEIR HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. THE POLICE WERE PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE…”
NHTSA complaint #10594538, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON . THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP SHE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ENGINE RPMS THEN INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE SERVICE BRAKES FAILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10596345, 2014 · crash

“2ND COMPLAINT (FIRST COMPLAINT - #10522765) - ON JULY 2, 2013, AROUND 5:20 P.M., MY FOURTH INCIDENT OF BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AND APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKES FAILED AND ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RACING. I CRASHED INTO A THE REAR OF A SEDAN WHICH WAS STOPPED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CARS TO A DEVELOPMENT TO EXCHANGE INSURANCE INFORMATION. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRADE-IN SINCE IT WAS UNRELIABLE FOR DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. AN EARLIER POTENTIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAS BRAKING AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A…”
NHTSA complaint #10522977, 2013 · crash

Service Brakes 3 1 crash

“2ND COMPLAINT (FIRST COMPLAINT - #10522765) - ON JULY 2, 2013, AROUND 5:20 P.M., MY FOURTH INCIDENT OF BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AND APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKES FAILED AND ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RACING. I CRASHED INTO A THE REAR OF A SEDAN WHICH WAS STOPPED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CARS TO A DEVELOPMENT TO EXCHANGE INSURANCE INFORMATION. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR TRADE-IN SINCE IT WAS UNRELIABLE FOR DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. AN EARLIER POTENTIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAS BRAKING AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A…”
NHTSA complaint #10522977, 2013 · crash

“THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE REMOTE, SO I HAD TO USE THE KEY TO GET ACCESS, THEN I WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS AND TURN ON IGNITION.I TURNED IGNITION ON AND SAW DISPLAY FLASH VARIOUS ICONS AFTER CAR WAS STARTED. AS I WAS DRIVING THE DASH ICONS FLASHED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT STOP, SO I CONTINUED DRIVING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10694604, 2015

“PURCHASED USED CERTIFIED-USED AVALON WITH 28.3K MILES ON JUNE 8. ON JUNE 15, THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED FROM PARKING LOT TO STOP SIGN. APPLIED BRAKES AND NO RESPONSE. AVALON SPED UP AND HAD TO TURN THE CAR TO AVOID ACCIDENT. APPLIED BRAKES AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. CONTINUED HOME AND NO PROBLEMS. ON JUNE 16, APPROACHING STOP SIGN FROM DOWNWARD HILL AND APPLIED BRAKES AND NO RESPONSE. AVALON SPED UP AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE TURN WITH BEING HIT BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND ATTRIBUTED TO USER ERROR. ON JUNE 30, APPROACHING A 4…”
NHTSA complaint #10522765, 2013

Visibility/Wiper 3

“There is a rear windshield shade that comes up automatically during a bright or hot day. It has a button to manually bring it up or down also. Just last month the gear inside the shade is broken and it does not come down. If I manually put it down it will come up automatically when driving, causing a loud noise distracting the driver even though, the driver has not pressed the button to pull it up. Now it is stuck in up position causing loud noise when reversing. And the biggest safety issue that I see is the night driving. Since the shade is up and I cannot make it go down, the visibility in…”
NHTSA complaint #11449358, 2021

“REAR SUNSCREEN REMAINS IN UP POSITION, WHEN LOWERED IN REVERSE, IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. HAVING TO DRIVE AT NIGHT PRESENTS A PROBLEM WITH VISIBILITY WHEN THE SUNSCREEN REMAINS IN THE UP POSITION.”
NHTSA complaint #11322510, 2020

“REAR DECK SUNSCREEN ACTIVATES AND COMES UP WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTIVATING IT. AND IT WILL NOT GO BACK DOWN WITHOUT MANUAL ASSISTANCE. WITH ASSISTANCE WHEN IT DOES GO DOWN THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THEN IT WILL COME BACK UP. TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF COMPLETE ASSEMBLY. (DEALER QUOTED $1674.86) OR PULL THE FUSE AND DEACTIVATE THE REAR SUNSCREEN. SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT SUNSCREEN UP AT NIGHT OR DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER RESTRICTS REAR VISION AND DRIVER CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS HE HAPPENS TO KNOW WHICH FUSE TO PULL AND WHERE IT IS LOCATED. WHEN ASKED WHY TOYOTA H…”
NHTSA complaint #11042989, 2017

Unknown Or Other 2

“THE REAR WINDOW SUN SHADE SCREEN DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. STICKS IN UP POSITION BLOCKING SITE OUT REAR WINDOW. WITH SCREEN DOWN WHILE CRANKING CAR, PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE CAUSES A LOUD NOISE OF GEARS STRIPPING. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM ON ALL TOYOTA PRODUCTS THAT HAVE THIS SCREEN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LINKS ONLINE. HTTPS://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/18198/TOYOTA/AVALON/TOYOTA-AVALON-REAR-SUNSCREEN-FAILURE HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/156-AVALON-3RD-GENERATION-2005-20…”
NHTSA complaint #10991699, 2017

“THE SUBWOOFER RECALL IS BOGUS. WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE IS THAT THEY PUT A PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE SUBWOOFER TO PREVENT WIRES FROM TOUCHING THE CHASSIS; THEY INSTEAD REPLACE THE JBL AMPLIFIER. THE WORK DRASTICALLY ALTERS THE SOUND. I NO LONGER HAVE A PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM; THE NEW AMP CLEARLY DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME WATTAGE AS THE ORIGINAL ONE. LUSTINE TOYOTA AND TOYOTA CORPORATE ARE COPPING OUT AND WON'T FIX IT. THE THING HAS EVEN CUT OUT TWICE. I'M BEYOND PISSED. THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE BEST PART OF THE CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #10763895, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE REMOTE, SO I HAD TO USE THE KEY TO GET ACCESS, THEN I WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS AND TURN ON IGNITION.I TURNED IGNITION ON AND SAW DISPLAY FLASH VARIOUS ICONS AFTER CAR WAS STARTED. AS I WAS DRIVING THE DASH ICONS FLASHED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT STOP, SO I CONTINUED DRIVING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10694604, 2015

Engine 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN. THE MOTOR WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD TURN OFF THE ENGINE, IT WOULD SOMETIMES RESTART ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT CALLED BOWLING GREEN TOYOTA (2398 SCOTTSVILLE RD, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104, (270) 843-4321) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW REAR SHADE MOTOR WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11221166, 2019

Power Train 1

“While entering the highway on ramp, as I accelerated and turned on the left turn signal, the engine stopped. The steering became very hard. I stopped, put the transmission in park and started the engine, with no problems. This is the second time in3 months this has happened when turning to the left, and activating the turn signal. In both cases, the auto headlight dimming warning lite came on. The car is well maintained, and has never been damaged in any way. The weather was clear.”
NHTSA complaint #11520588, 2023

Seat Belts 1 1 crash 2 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN AN 18 WHEELER COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SPINAL INJURIES AND BRUISES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN 18 WHEELER STROKE THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE REAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOST…”
NHTSA complaint #11316549, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

Seats 1

“THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT HEADREST HAS BECOME A LIABILITY THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT HEADRESTS ARE SET AT SUCH AN ANGLE THAT IF I SIT CORRECTLY IN THE SEAT (BACK/SHOULDERS AGAINST THE SEAT BACK) MY HEAD IS POSITIONED SO THAT MY EYES ARE AIMED AT THE FLOOR AND NOT AT THE ROAD. I'VE ADJUSTED THE HEIGHT OF THE HEADREST TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THIS, BUT NO CORRECTION CAN BE MADE. THE RESULT IS PAIN IN MY NECK AND BACK WHILE DRIVING. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE ANGLE AND ALLEVIATE THE PAIN FELT WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER, I HAVE REMOVED THE HEADREST, TURNED IT BACKWARD, AND REINSTALLED IT. DOING THIS IS THE…”
NHTSA complaint #10913942, 2014

Suspension 1

“I PURCHASED THE AVALON AT THE END OF THE 2012 YEAR. IT NOW HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS GARAGED OUTSIDE IN MASSACHUSETTS. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2012 (MONTH AFTER PURCHASE) AND YESTERDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKING NOISE THAT HAPPENS DURING COLD WEATHER (32 TO -10 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT). BOTH TIMES THE MECHANICS SAY THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, NOTHING IS LOSE WITH THE SUSPENSION, AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ABOUT IT. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE NOISE IS WHEN GOING OVER POT HOLES IN COLD WEATHER, I HEAR A CLUNK FROM REAR SUSPENSION…”
NHTSA complaint #10561924, 2014

Visibility 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA AVALON. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND CARPET. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A MOLD ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEDOM TOYOTA OF HARRISBURG (6060 ALLENTOWN BLVD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL IN THE SUN ROOF WAS FAULTY AND CONFIRMED THE ABNORMAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11112320, 2018