What are the most common problems on the 2015 Toyota Avalon?

NHTSA has 53 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2015 Toyota Avalon. Service Brakes is the most-reported problem area on the 2015 Toyota Avalon, cited in 15 of 53 filed complaints (28%).

Problems › Toyota › 2015 Avalon

2015 Toyota Avalon Problems & Owner Complaints

53 NHTSA owner complaints

8 crash 3 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~4.4 complaints per year on the road — ranking 5 of 13 Toyota Avalon years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Service Brakes is the most-reported problem area on the 2015 Toyota Avalon, cited in 15 of 53 filed complaints (28%).

Forward Collision Avoidance is next (10 complaints, 19%), followed by Air Bags (8), Electrical System (7), Vehicle Speed Control (7).

Across all complaints, 8 report a crash, 3 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 5 crash, 3 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2015 Toyota Avalon, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 53.

Service Brakes 15 3 crash 1 injury

“I WAS HEADING DOWN SNOW GEESE SOUTH IN DUCK N.C. TO TURN LEFT ONTO WOOD DUCK DRIVE. AS I APPROACHED THE TURN, MY BRAKES FAILED AND I WENT INTO THE PARKING AREA OF 1324 DUCK ROAD. I COULD HIT A PARKED TRUCK OR HOUSE. I HIT THE TRUCK. THE AIRBAGS DIDNT DEPLOY. NONE OF THEM. IT WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE POLICE SHOWED UP AND WERE SUPRISED THAT THERE WERE NO AIRBAGS. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY. THE BRAKES FAILING WAS SCARY ENOUGH, BUT ABSOLUTELY NO AIRBAGS! *DSY”
NHTSA complaint #11290892, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“ON MAY 25TH, 2020 I WAS PULLING INTO A TACO BELL DRIVE THROUGH. IT WAS LOCATED UP A LITTLE HILL. AS I DROVE UP THE HILL I HIT A LITTLE CURBING. I BACKED UP AND ADJUSTED THE CAR TO MISS THE CURB. WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED. SEEING I WAS GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT, I HIT MY BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL I HAD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT WITH A LOT OF FORCE. THAT CAR WAS THROWN INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF IT. THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF A HUGE SCARE! I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE SO I COULD OBSERVE THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I DID S…”
NHTSA complaint #11326182, 2020 · crash

“ON FEB. 5, 2020 AT ABOUT 6:30 AM, MY WIFE WAS PULLING UP BEHIND CARS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS SHE COULD, THE CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD HITTING THE CAR AHEAD OF HER IN LINE. SHE COULD HEAR THE CAR ENGINE RACING AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, BUT IT WENT INTO REVERSE AND RAPIDLY MOVED BACKWARDS, EVEN WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HIT THE CAR BEHIND HER. SHE THAN ONCE AGAIN TRIED TO UP THE CAR IN PARK, BUT PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND THE OUR CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AGAIN FILL SPEED HITTING THE CAR…”
NHTSA complaint #11308465, 2020 · crash

Forward Collision Avoidance 10

“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated, and the brake independently activated. The vehicle was taken to a specialty brake shop, where it was diagnosed that the brake actuator had failed, causing the ABS system to activate independently. The vehicle was repaired. On the drive back to the residence, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with brake master cylin…”
NHTSA complaint #11680608, 2025

“05/04/2025 First of all, we love our Avalon. However, for the last 6 months or so, water is getting in the car and ends up soaking the carpet on the left front floorboard carpet. We have checked everything we can think of to find the source of the leak but was uneasily. We had to have some scratches fixed and took the car to a body shop to see if they could find the source of the leak. They sprayed water on the sunroof for about an hour but no water leaked inside. We have also taken the car to the local Toyota Dealership (Sheehy Toyota in the Fredericksburg area, they could not find the s…”
NHTSA complaint #11658794, 2023

“While driving the pre-collision system (PCS) turns on unexpectedly, without any warning lights or sounds, and applies the brakes. This happens when I am driving in traffic with plenty of space between the car in front of me. I typically drive between 3-6 seconds behind the car in front of me to allow for at least 300 feet in space when driving at highway speeds. Despite leaving plenty of room for cars in front of me, on multiple occasions the car has started braking abruptly while going anywhere between 50, 40, 30, or 20 miles per hour. This can be verified for inspection upon request. D…”
NHTSA complaint #11518883, 2023

Air Bags 8 5 crash 3 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND NOSE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11203313, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED BY A PICKUP; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, RIBS AND SHOULDER REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10854792, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Unknown Or Other 8 2 crash 1 injury

Electrical System 7

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, the contact noticed that the title listed the mileage at 133,510, with the note " Not the Actual Mileage" next to the mileage. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 133,510, and it was later discovered that the Carfax report listed the mileage at 251,617. The Carfax report also displayed that the vehicle was sold at an auto auction on 11/25/2025. Additionally, th…”
NHTSA complaint #11709132, 2026

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH SHORTED OUT THE DISPLAY PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (DON MCGILL TOYOTA, 11800 KATY FWY HOUSTON, TX 77079, (281) 496-2000) WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11089004, 2018

“TIME TO TIME EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR SHUTDOWN (LIGHTS, NAVIGATION, STEREO SYSTEM E.T.C. ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES, IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN I DRIVE, ALSO THE DASHBOARD MAKES A NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A CLICK. ABOUT AN YEAR AGO I GOT A RECALL FOR BUT WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA OF NOHO THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM, SO NOTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND I STILL HAVE BOTH PROBLEMS WHICH HARD TO FIND OUT BY DRIVING COUPLES OF MILES, HOW A TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED TO ME. SO PLEASE REQUEST A REPLACEMENT OR FIX THEM, BECAUSE IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN POWER GOES OFF WHILE YOU ARE…”
NHTSA complaint #11062563, 2017

Vehicle Speed Control 7 2 crash

“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, drove over the curb, and crashed into bushes. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. There was no police report filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where she informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximatel…”
NHTSA complaint #11543398, 2023 · crash

“THE AVALON HYBRIDS COVERED ONLY BY WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT ZKK ARE SUFFERING THE SAME DANGERS AND FVMSS NONCOMPLIANCE DUE TO BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILURES AS THOSE TOYOTA COVERED BY SAFETY RECALLS (D0H & K0L). BY EXCLUDING AVALON HYBRIDS WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES FROM THE D0H AND K0L SAFETY RECALLS, TOYOTA IS LEAVING THE OWNERS TO HELPLESSLY EXPERIENCE LIFE-THREATENING BRAKE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION BEFORE TOYOTA WILL PROVIDE THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE COMPONENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE. THE LAW REQUIRES TOYOTA TO PREVENT THE LIFE-THREATENING DANGERS OF THIS BRAKE DEFECT BEFORE THE FAILURE OC…”
NHTSA complaint #11256523, 2019

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Engine 4 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HYBRID ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE SWITCHED FROM ELECTRIC TO GASOLINE OPERATION WHICH CAUSE A FASTER ACCELERATION AND JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FITZGERALD TOYOTA GAITHERSBURG (907 N FREDERICK AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD 20879) WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURE WITH VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A THIRD-PARTY IN…”
NHTSA complaint #11390023, 2019

“MY AVALON HYBRID WAS "RECALLED" OVER 6 MONTHS AGO FOR THE TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE PACKAGE. CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE SO I PURCHASED THE SAFEST POSSIBLE CAR. BUT, THE CAR STILL LACKS THIS FEATURE. WHEN WILL I GET THIS SAFETY FEATURE INSTALLED?”
NHTSA complaint #10855337, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 3

“I HAVE A SAFETY CONCERN. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT; THIS IS WHAT I EXPERIENCED WITH THE PCS SYSTEM. IT WENT OFF WITH WARNING BUZZER, RETRACTING THE SEAT BELTS. TO MY SURPRISE, THE FRONTAL CAR WAS MORE THAN 120 TO 150 FEET AWAY!; I BELIEVE I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH. SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE PCS SYSTEM, I AM NOT SURE IF THIS WAS NORMAL OR WHETHER I SHOULD BRING THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER; THEY GAVE ME A TOYOTA CASE NO. 152660366 ; MECHANIC SAID HE PERFORMED HEALTH CHECK ON THE VEHICLE AND PASSED. I HAVE NOT HE…”
NHTSA complaint #10780434, 2015

Fuel/Propulsion System 3 1 crash

“PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING ON RIGHT SIDE AND REAR OF VEHICLE. 2, AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN STATIONARY OR MOVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11282387, 2018

“THE ADVERTISED MILEAGE OF 39MPH AND 40MPH IS INACCURATE. WITH CAREFUL DRIVING THE MOST I CAN GET ON MY DAILY COMMUTE IS 32.9.”
NHTSA complaint #10845659, 2016

Structure 3

“The body of the car, clunks when making a right or left turn while leaving the road and entering a slightly raised or lowered entry. A very clear clunk sound occcurs emanating from the overhead, just behind the driver's seat. It doesn't happen every time, but is increasing in frequency. I don't know if this is or will be a safety risk. This has not been witnessed or confirmed by Toyota and cannot be verified by inspection because it is inaccessible, behind the overhead. It first occurred and was reported around the 50,000mi servicing.”
NHTSA complaint #11441665, 2019

“PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING ON RIGHT SIDE AND REAR OF VEHICLE. 2, AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN STATIONARY OR MOVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11282387, 2018

“2015 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION AND DECK LID ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD START WITH NO OCCUPANT ASSISTANCE AND THE REAR DECK LID WOULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE'S STARTER WAS ROUGH, HESITATED, SHUTTERED, OR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10965570, 2016

Tires 3

“I have tire size P225 / 45 R 18. Michelin Primacy mxm4. The compalint tire exploded at 65 MPH (the speed limit). The falure caused the car to swerve into the next lane which was occupied by another car at the time. My safety was at risk when I momemtarily lost control of the vehicle and others were at risk when I enetred an occupied lane. Problem was inspected and confirmed by Mavis (formerly NTB) in Keller TX. The only warning was that a couple of weeks prior to the incident while rotating my tires the Mavis location found a bubble in the sidewall of another tire (not the one that exploded…”
NHTSA complaint #11548028, 2023

“Tire Size 225/45 R 18. The tire had slightly over 3,000 miles on it. 1. Rear driver side tire that is in my possession and available for inspection, but is in 2 parts. 2. My wife and I traveled from Brandon, MS to Birmingham, Al for a medical appointment early the next day. In Tuscaloosa, Al driving in right hand lane approximately 60 MPH the handling became rough, the tire blew out, causing loss of control and throwing the vehicle in center lane, fortunately no other vehicle was there, I regained control and moved to side of road without out any physical injury. 3. After attempting to change…”
NHTSA complaint #11438793, 2021

“HAVE TOYO EXTENSA AS II TIRES ON CAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES ON TIRES. ON INTERSTATE 69 IN HOUSTON RUSH HOUR WITHOUT WARNING THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OFF RIM. LEFT AT 70MPH WITH ONLY RIM ON THE BACK TIRE. I DID SAFELY PULL OVER AND NO HARM TO MYSELF OF VEHICLE. THE TIRE ONLY HAD RUBBER LEFT AROUND RIM. WAS IF TIRE WAS A PIECE OF PAPER THAT BLEW AWAY. NO EXPLOSION, NO LOW TIRE NOTICE ON CAR PRIOR TO TIRE COMING OFF THE RIM. THERE WAS NO OTHER SIGNS OF TROUBLE LIKE CAR CAR SHAKING, WOBBLING OR ANY OTHER WARNING. I DO HAVE PICTURE OF RIM AND WILL KEEP REMAINING 3 TIRES. I HAVE NE…”
NHTSA complaint #11408017, 2021

Power Train 2

“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission shuddered. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure did not occur once the vehicle speed exceeded 45 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure was common with the vehicle model year. The manufacturer was not made aware of t…”
NHTSA complaint #11749514, 2026

Equipment 1

“2015 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH GPS SYSTEM. *LD THEN CONSUMER STATED THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND DISTRACTING. AFTER OPTING TO VIEW AN ALTERNATE ROUTE THE SCREEN WENT BLANK. THE SCREEN ALSO, BECAME CLUTTERED WITH TOO MANY OPTIONS. UPDATED 09/27/2017*JS”
NHTSA complaint #11029549, 2017

Exterior Lighting 1

Lane Departure 1

Seat Belts 1

“TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE WHICH STATES THAT THERE WILL BE SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL A DEFECT IS DEALT WITH THAT COULD CAUSE A FATALITY AND IN THE MEANTIME RENDERS THE CAR WORTHLESS.”
NHTSA complaint #11316632, 2020

Seats 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL CASING FOR THE ELECTRONIC ADJUSTABLE SEATS LOOSENED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SAVANNAH TOYOTA (11101 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31419 ) WHO REPLACED THE CASING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11414062, 2020

Steering 1

“The steering tilt lock mechanism is failing. Vibrates loose while driving. It is a non-wear item. Toyota had to recall 2009-2012 models of Avalon for the same problem. My vehicle is a 2015 and is out of warranty and only has 50,000 miles. I did have a service center check it and they confirmed the problem. You can repair this non-wear item you must replace the complete steering column assembly. With parts and labor the cost is @ $1500. Whatever they did to redesign the mechanism since the 2012 model year to fix the problem was not effective. Toyota responded to my letter and declined…”
NHTSA complaint #11437591, 2021

Visibility 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED NEWARK TOYOTA WORLD (230 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 24, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11222139, 2019

Visibility/Wiper 1

“REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY IS SERIOUSLY HAMPERED BY INTERIOR REFLECTION ON INSIDE OF REAR WINDOW. THIS VEHICLE HAS A LIGHT GREY INTERIOR COLOR AND THE BACK PACKAGE TRAY AND SPEAKER COVERS ARE ALSO LIGHT GREY. THIS LIGHT GREY COLOR IS REFLECTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. WHEN LOOKING OUT THE REAR WINDOW USING THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, THE REAR WINDOW LOOKS AS IF IT IS EXTREMELY DIRTY OR FOGGED. THE CONDITION IS WORSE WHEN SUBJECTED TO SUNLIGHT. AT PRESENT, WHILE AWAITING IF/WHEN A REPAIR/MODIFICATION WILL TO BE MADE BY THE SELLING DEALER, I HAVE LAID A BLACK TOWEL ON THE PACKAGE…”
NHTSA complaint #10777900, 2015

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2015 Toyota Avalon draws about 4.4 complaints per year on the road, ranking 5 of 13 among the Toyota Avalon model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.