604 of the
4,245 complaints filed about the Toyota Avalon
are about the throttle and cruise control —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
604
Complaints
14%
Share of all complaints
252
Crashes
4
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
On XXX I purchase the vehicle TOYOTA AVALON XSE, with VIN #: [XXX]. I purchase the vehicle at LARRY [XXX] AMERICAN TOYOTA in [XXX], with the LIEN [XXX] KIRTLAND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BANK same city of [XXX]. I was told the vehicle had a 160 point check, yet when I check the THUMB DRIVE that was given to me by the business personnel. When I looked at the thumb drive, their were signed documents between myself and the business department of [XXX] American Toyota. I asked several of the salesperson if the car had a COMPREHENSIVE TUNE UP, all the replies were the vehicle had a 160 point check. So, I figured the vehicle had to have some kind of TUNE UP, the 160 point check consists of a WALKAROUND CHECKLIST. I even asked if the vehicle had any RECALLS, the salesperson, the business department, there was nothing, NO RECALLS. Even looking on this website it shows ZERO RECALLS. Well, on XXX the service advisor at [XXX] American Toyota, [XXX] who called the vehicle a " XXX CAR ". Mr. [XXX] gave me SERVICE HISTORY of all the problems the car with previous owners and myself. I took the time at home on July 9, 2026 and notice, there was an OPEN CAMPAIGN RECALL 20TA02, 12/20/2019 with MULTIPLE SAFETY ISSUES, and since car the was still under WARRANTY the RECALLS were fixed. The dealership never seemed to bothered notifying the NHTSA about the RECALLS. Even, Mr. [XXX] informed there were NO RECALLS. Since purchasing the vehicle with extended warranty, because the vehicle was sold as a CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED used car with the mileage of 76, 632. I owned this car for four years with numerous BREAKDOWNS starting from August 21, 2024. If the vehicle would have a COMPREHENSIVE TUNE, I wouldn't be filing out this form today. I have paid over $24,000 to own and fix breakdowns on this vehicle. [XXX] American Toyota should be held accountable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11751699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Immediately upon making a low-speed contact of my back bumper with a pole, the engine revved loudly. I attempted to go from reverse to drive to get some clearance from the pole. I then immediately attempted to put the car in park so I could get out and observe any damage. Immediately, the car accelerated extremely suddenly and quickly. I went over a curb where I had parked prior to backing up and contacting the pole. I hit a landscaping decorative boulder and a young tree. It was clear that my car was headed into the two-way street straight ahead since it was clear my breaking efforts were useless. I believe the car went airborne for a second, landed and continued straight, thankfully not hitting any vehicle or pedestrian. I saw a parked black full-size pickup truck and figured we would hit it, we did. I thought if the truck didn't stop us then we would continue into the building just beyond it. We landed on a memorial boulder next to the truck with the front end on the boulder and the rear of the car low to the ground. It was very difficult to exit the driver's door because the truck was angled so that my door wouldn't open much. It was difficult to get the door handle to actually open the door. I kept trying the lock in case it was engaged. I squeezed out praying loudly for God to help us, over and over again as I squeezed out. I thought the engine was on fire - I thought I saw smoke but later realized it was the powder from the airbags. I was trying to get to the other side of the vehicle to help my friend out. I had a hard time walking due to scraped up legs. A lady came up to me to help. I asked if my friend was ok. I asked if anyone was hit. She said he was out of the vehicle and no one was hit. I held onto her because I was very weak and shaking. I thought my chest pain was due to a heart attack. But when she coached me on my breathing I realized the pain at my sternum was from the seatbelt. I yelled, "I tried to stop, I couldn't stop, the brakes didn't work!
NHTSA complaint #11751413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cruise control stopped working while driving interstate speed. Would not work and all lights on dashboard came on . Proceeded to Nearest dealership and was informed that I needed a brake switch. Did not fix the problem. Have been informed that I need a wiring harness! About to spend a total of 400.00
NHTSA complaint #11659486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed and became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11618530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The vehicle then returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11610549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was pulling into a parking spot when my car suddenly accelerated to a very high speed. I traveled over a curb, on some pavement, through some bushes, knocked down a light pole and miraculously came to a stop. My foot was pumping the brakes to no avail. My entire car was damaged but miraculously no one was hurt. Car was towed to a mechanic who confirmed that the car accelerated with him as well. Front, back, underside, roof, tires and frames were all badly damaged.
NHTSA complaint #11607893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 approximately 109,400.
NHTSA complaint #11543398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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).
NHTSA complaint #11532109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Is available gas pedal stuck open hitting the brake wouldn't stop it didn't stop till impact with another vehicle doing 1to5 miles an hour in parking lot haven't taken in yet can't afford it Dec 27 day of accident was first time 2nd owner talked to first owner said brake recall is the one he fixed didn't know about the gas pedal recall
NHTSA complaint #11507986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was submitted. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #11505882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leaving a parking lot, the car jumped out of gear. Thought maybe I had bumped the gear selector but attempts at putting the car in gear resulted in grinding noises and the only option was to put it in PARK. Check engine light came on. Mechanic diagnosed a speed sensor. Had this happened on the freeway or while trying to pass another car on a two lane and a speed sensor disable the entire car to me is dangerous and should be addressed. Had the check engine light come on, I would have had the sensor replaced right away. I now feel this is an unsafe situation that could arise in other 2017 Toyota cars
NHTSA complaint #11490639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
on 3 lane expressway (US422)about 1/4 mile from where the lanes split( see attached). No cars in front of me but cars in the lane to my left slowed. My car suddenly braked causing the car behind me to swerve to my right to avoid a collision. The adaptive breaking (incorrectly) determined that there was a collision hazard, thus creating an actual collision hazard
NHTSA complaint #11476773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This incident has happened twice in three years. Hence it is a very rare occurrence. Both times involved the same events. Cruise control was on. I was traveling in the left lane of the interstate highway, approaching an 18-wheel truck which was in the right lane. When I was approximately 50 feet from the rear of the truck, the truck began to enter my lane. I suspect I was in the trucker's blind spot. My car did not sense the truck. The cruise control did not disengage. The brakes did not engage. But the MOST troublesome was that the car did not respond to my pressing on the brake pedal. I had to press 4 or 5 times before the cruise control would disengage and the brakes engage. Since I was traveling approximately 70 mph, the distance between my car and the truck (each time) closed rapidly. In the first instance, the truck tire hit my right front fender. I moved to the shoulder of the road and eventually the car braked. In the second case, I avoided collision by about 10 feet. I use the cruise control frequently and in EVERY other circumstance, the sensors on my car have worked correctly and disengaged the cruise control and I have never had a problem with breaking. I suspect a blind spot in the sensor system but why, only in this situation, does the brake system fail to disengage the cruise control when i press on the brake is a very troublesome mystery to me. Answering question on web page: My safety - life threatening, No dealer consultation, Regular maintenance schedule maintained, No warnings.
NHTSA complaint #11417486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY AFTER TAKING MY DAD ABOUT 45 MINS AWAY WAS DRIVING AS USUAL AND THE CAR DIED HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD PUT IN PARK AND RESTART. HAS DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES AFTER WE HAVE HAD IN AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE. SENT ME HOME WITH AN UNSAFE CAR FOR THE 4TH TIME. TRIED TAKING CAR BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT AS ISSUE HAPPENED ON FEB 6 21 AND I PURCHASED ON JAN 27 21 GOING TO CHANGE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEXT WEEK AND SEE IF THATS WHAT IT IS. PLEASE HELP I AM STUCK WITH A 23000 LOAN FOR A CAR I CANT DRIVE SAFELY OR CONFIDENTLY!
NHTSA complaint #11404730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL NUMBER: SET16B: THE SEATS CUSHION IS COMPRESSED AND WHEN TURN ON THE HEATER FOR THE SEATS IT GET OVER HEATED AND IT HARD TO TURN IT DOWN SO IT CAN COOL OFF FAST. LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATIONS LABELS THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD NO 110, REQUIREMENTS. TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO DEPRESS SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE OR IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION WHICH MAKE IT HARD FOR THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. WHILE IN MOTION. WHICH CAN CAUSE A RISK OF A CRASH. PEDAL ENTRAPMENT WHILE IN MOTION THE OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOME IN A VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #11388511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I JUST PURCHASED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON FROM CARMAX. DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS OF DRIVING I HAD OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING. ONE. THE REAR WINDOW IS DISTORTED AND WILL NOT COME CLEAN NO MATTER WHAT I ATTEMPT TO USE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A CLEAR VISIBILITY. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT WHILE IN A STOP POSITION, WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND REAPPLY TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE A SEVEN DAY RETURN POLICY NO QUESTIONS ASKED. BUT I REALLY LOVE THIS CAR IN BEEN WAITING TO FIND THAT PARTICULAR COLOR EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR WHICH IS BLACK LEATHER. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL OR OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11384856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND PROCEEDING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLS. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR HAS DONE THIS (EACH TIME BEING TAKEN TO SERVICE AT TOYOTA). ONE IN PARTICULAR ALMOST BEING HIT BY A TRUCK WHEN GOING FROM A RED LIGHT TO GREEN LIGHT.ANOTHER ONE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HAVING TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO CARS COMING MY DIRECTION IN FEAR OF BEING HIT WHILE TURNING AND CAR STALLING. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN TOO MANY SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. THIS MATTER HAS BEEN TAKEN UP TO CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND REVIEWING HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT FAILED TO REPAIR MY CAR. I HAVE CONTINUED TO TAKE THE CAR TO BE SERVICED AND DIAGNOSTIC COMES UP WITH NO PROBLEMS IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *I ALSO HAVE VIDEOS AND ALL OF MY SERVICE INVOICES REGARDING THE STALLING ISSUE THAT HAS YET TO BE CORRECTED.*
NHTSA complaint #11338968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON MARCH 7, 2020 THE DRIVER ENTERED A PARKING LOT OF A RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT. THE DRIVER, USING THE BRAKES AND TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR, TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS THE DRIVER NEGOTIATED THE TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED HEADFIRST INTO A RETAIL SIGNAGE POLE. DESPITE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, THE DRIVER COULD NOT STOP THE CAR ONCE THE CAR SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR WOULD HAVE LANDED IN A BUSY FOUR-LANE ROAD, IF IT HAD NOT CRASHED INTO THE SIGNAGE POLE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO FATALITY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THERE WAS SOME PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT. IT WAS TRULY A HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE FOR THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #11318519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.