296 of the
4,245 complaints filed about the Toyota Avalon
are about the engine —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
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.
After a maintenance service, i was made aware of an oil leak from where the bank 1 head gasket meets the timing cover. Verbally quoted for $6500 due to the “extensive labor” costs of replacing the gasket.
NHTSA complaint #11740440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving our 2021 Avalon on a busy interstate,the engine failed on us unexpectantly. This cathostrophic failure without warning startled my finance and ruined xmas holidays. The car was towed to a local Toyota dealership who diagnosed the issue as low oil pressure which prevented oil reaching the top engine ultimately collapsing the rocker arm. Oddly enough the technician shared it was not low on oil nor were there any signs of le. We were informed the engine must be replaced. We purchased the vehicle with 56K and just hit 69K. We've been responsible with routine maintenance and have service reports to support services performed from the original owner and us. When contacting Toyota to report the issue, the advocates and resolution team did not offer any service campaigns or good will programs to cover any out of pocket expenses. They acted as if we should hold the dealership who sold us the car liable ignoring any possibility of a defective engine. There is NO good reason why any engine with only 69k miles should fail this sudden. There are similar reports of class action suits currently against Toyota on other engines and they ignore all accounts of owning any portion of the repair due to the car not being sold from a Toyota dealership and being over the 60k power train warranty. Regardless of the warranty the manufacturer name is on the vehicle and all accounts of this issue are indicators of a defect. Our voices may have not be strong enough for them to make us whole at this moment. Not only was this a dangerous situation for my family, but the expenses to replace the engine in such a short time is ridiculous. A company with such a high reputation not to mention high revenue and EBITA should not ignore the voice of the customer. My hope is other customers unite and voice any similar concern similar to ours. This experience has changed my mind how much I value Toyota.There are core principles & expectations car manufacturers should stand by.
NHTSA complaint #11635159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Cylinder head gasket in the engine has failed and is now leaking coolant under the body of the car. This has been inspected by a certified Toyota Dealership and has been maintained by one since we bought the car. There were no warning signs or problems with the car other than feeling off (sounding slightly different than normal) so we went to get an oil change and inspection done on the vehicle. This car was just serviced three months prior for regular maintenance and the vehicle had no indicated issues at that time and was inspected again by the same Toyota Dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection. This issue seems to have started very suddenly without warning and will cause severe engine damage in my vehicle if not replaced soon.
NHTSA complaint #11548840 — 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.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while diving approximately 50 MPH, the engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the windshield had detached from the frame. The contact stated that the rear doors were failing to close correctly. The contact stated the vehicle would roll with the brake pedal depressed before coming to a stop. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the steering wheel fractured and the air bags inadvertently deployed. Additionally, the headlamps and turn signals also failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who stated that front door master switch, the pillar and racket, the brakes, the headlamps, and turn signals needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,500.
NHTSA complaint #11479951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon HV. The contact stated that while driving, all the instrument control panel lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer eight or nine times where it was diagnosed there was moisture in the brakes, the brake assembly, sensor harness, sensor in the grill, gear shifter, and hybrid sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel, warning lights illuminated, and the hybrid system overheated. The pull over somewhere safe message was displayed. The steering wheel was stiff. The brake pedal was stiff and failed to depress. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and drove into a ditch was air borne and cross to the other side of road. The contact was able to drive away from the scene, but the vehicle shutdown and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to contact's place of business. There were no reported injuries, fire or air bag deployment. There was a state trooper on the scene but there was no police report filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 800.
NHTSA complaint #11456819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while at the dealer he was notified about an extended warranty on the dashboard by another customer. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that the warranty had expired. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The contact had not received notification for the extended warranty on the dashboard. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
NHTSA complaint #11445651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 lights are lit does not predict this event happening.I think there might be a sensor in the engine that is faulty.
NHTSA complaint #11443659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle started smoking and the engine stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #11419230 — 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.
CAR MAKES A VERY, VERY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND WHEN STARTED WITH A/C OR HEATING ON (BUT MORE COMMONLY WITH A/C). THE SOUND WILL SOMETIMES DIE DOWN OR STOP ONCE A/C IS TURNED OFF, BUT NOT ALWAYS. PUDDLES CAN TRIGGER THE SOUND AS WELL. SOUND CAN BE HEARD MAINLY UPON INITAL STARTUP BUT CAN OCCUR AFTER CAR IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11402624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'VE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, ELECTRICAL, COOLANT OR SOMETHING. MY MECHANICS FINDS NO LEAKS, BUT I CHECKED ONCE AND THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY, FIND NO LEAKS. SOMEHOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR MUD FLAP CAME OFF AND THE TRUNK LID DOESN'T LINE UP. IT ALWAYS LOOKS LIKE IT'S PARTIALLY OPENED. WHEN DRIVING I HEAR AND FEEL RATTLING SOUNDS THAT SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION OR BODY PANELS. MORE LIKE THE SUSPENSION. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAD TIMING CHAIN, O2 SENSOR, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CHECKED AND FIXED OR REPLACED. THEY ALSO HAD IT COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT AND ANYTHING WRONG WAS FIXED. IT ALSO GETS VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE STEERING ALSO DOESN'T FEEL QUITE RIGHT, CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN THAT VERY WELL, OTHER THAN IT'S NO QUITE RIGHT. ALSO, FOR SOME REASON THE BATTERY WOULDN'T START THE CAR ONE DAY AND WE CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THE CELLS WERE DRY.
NHTSA complaint #11396567 — 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF TRI-CITIES (6321 W CANAL DR, KENNEWICK, WA 99336, (509) 736-9900) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11331972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 SO THE CAR ACCELERATE AT FULL SPEED IN REVERSE GOING BACK DOWN THE HILL AND HEADED STRAIGHT FOR A DRUGSTORE. THE CAR WAS MAKING A WHIRING SOUND, LIKE WHEN YOU REV UP THE ENGINE. I PUSHED THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP BUT KEEP GOING FASTER! I PUMPED THE BRAKES SOME MORE BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN I SAW I WAS HEADED INTO THE STORE, I TURNED THE WHEELS TO AVOID IT AND TRIED BRAKING AGAIN WITHOUT STOPPING. I FINALLY HIT THE STOP ENGINE BUTTON BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR HIT A PARKED TRUCK IN THE STORE LOT WHICH STOPPED IT. IT WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. I AM NOW AFRAID TO GET INTO A CAR. I WAS TOO UPSET TO TAKE PHOTOS. I WILL LIST THE CRASH REPORT IN THE FILE BELOW. *TR *BF
NHTSA complaint #11326182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.