70 of the
4,245 complaints filed about the Toyota Avalon
are about the seat belts —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
Went to dealer cause air bag malfunction came on they said it was the driver seat belt clicker being faulty. They wanted 250 to fix it. I fixed it myself for 50. To find out it was the passenger clicker. They have a recall on the passenger but dealer lied said it was driver side to get me to pay n them 250
NHTSA complaint #11739543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
March 13, 2026, I was on a road trip from CA to AZ and while driving around 75-80mph (speed limit), something in the driver's side seat belt or the shoulder holster exploded, the belt tightened, and something metal or plastic flew off. Shortly after (within 30 seconds or so), the passenger's side seat belt did something similar where something in the seat belt mechanism exploded and another part went flying. There was an electrical buzzing noise. I was looking for a place to pull over when the air bags went off. There was no bump in the road or a dip and I did not hit anything. I don't remember the order the air bags exploded but it was one after the other. The driver's side air bag exploding left a red abrasion on my left hand. The vehicle was brought to a nearby dealership (Anderson Toyota) where they said they could not verify what the issue was. The safety of myself and others on the road were at risk as the explosions were very loud and the air bags occluded my view while traveling at a high speed. The vehicle has been inspected by a 3rd party representative from Bosch (Apr 2nd) as sent by Toyota corporate and Toyota has not given me any updates. Calling them several times they have failed to return calls, and after a call today, they said the case was filed as closed without my prior notice. I do not recall warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms.
NHTSA complaint #11732589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Involved in a 2 vehicle accident on October 26th. My car is totaled and so is the other car. No airbags deployed and my drivers side seat belt failed to lock in the accident. I was injured and taken by ambulance to hospital.
NHTSA complaint #11701511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,578.
NHTSA complaint #11628627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS ARE NOT REGISTERING FOR AIR BAG AND THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF SAYING TO PUT SEAT BELT ON, BUT NO ONE IS SITTING IN BACK SEAT. SO WHILE I'M DRIVING I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND PLUG SEAT BELT IN TO GET THE SEATBELT WARNING SOUND TO STOP. THE SEATBELT IS NOT REGISTERING IN THE BACK SEAT AND THE FRONT SEAT IS NOT REGISTERING SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE FOR THE AIRBAG. IT DOESN'T REGISTER MY GRANDSON OR MY SON, WHICH IS DANGEROUS. KIDS ARE INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #11626075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRAVEL ON THE STREET AND MAY HIT AN OBJECT (COULD BE AN EMPTY TRASH CONTAINER. VEHICLE LEFT THE TRAVEL LANE, GOING UP ON THE SIDEWALK, STUCK 2 GARBAGE CANS AND THROUGH THE NUMEROUS BUSHES.
NHTSA complaint #11362196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY INTO THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL HENDRICKSON TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5201 W, FL-834, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11323645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY INTO THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL HENDRICKSON TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5201 W, FL-834, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11323645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FROM A SPECIFIC SUPPLIER DESIGNED TO RECEIVE SIGNALS FROM CRASH SENSORS AND DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS. THE ECU MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION AGAINST CERTAIN ELECTRICAL NOISE THAT CAN OCCUR IN CERTAIN CRASHES, SUCH AS SEVERE UNDERRIDE CRASHES. THIS CAN LEAD TO INCOMPLETE OR NONDEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS AND/OR SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS.
NHTSA complaint #11319632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V569000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOTALED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NHTSA complaint #11316549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT DURING THE IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIGHT HAND, MULTIPLE LACERATIONS ON HIS FOREHEAD THAT REQUIRED 29 STITCHES, NECK PAIN, WHIPLASH, AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11267296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEECHMONT TOYOTA (8667 BEECHMONT AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45255, (513) 388-3800) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,807.
NHTSA complaint #11164181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR HAS BEEN ON A MANUFACTURER RECALL SINCE NOVEMBER 3, 2015. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER FOV NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15V728 RECALL STATUS : RECALL INCOMPLETE IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS, THE OPTIONAL PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) COULD INTERPRET A STEEL ROAD JOINT OR STEEL PLATE IN THE ROAD SURFACE AS AN OBSTACLE OR VEHICLE IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL AND ACTIVATE. WHEN THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES, MY VEHICLE'S BRAKES ARE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY. THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES BRAKE ASSIST MODE, AND MY FRONT SEATBELTS MAY TIGHTEN. I WILL HEAR A WARNING BUZZER, THE PCS INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND A MESSAGE WILL APPEAR ON THE MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY.
NHTSA complaint #11098719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I TRIED TWICE TO GET A SAFETY RECALL FIXED BY KOONS TOYOTA TYSONS CORNER AFTER RECEIVING A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY TOYOTA AVALON (RECALL 15V-043). TWICE THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO INSPECT THE CAR TO SEE IF IT NEEDED A REMEDY TO THE RECALL AND ONLY AFTER AN INSPECTION WOULD THEY ORDER PARTS. I BROUGHT IT IN THE FIRST TIME, THEY SAID IT DID NEED THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS. THEY NEVER DID. WHEN I TRIED TO SCHEDULE IT AGAIN, THEY TOLD ME THE SAME STORY THAT I HAD TO BRING IT IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEN THEY WOULD DECIDE IF THEY COULD ORDER THE PARTS. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO GO THROUGH SUCH TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND SO THEREFORE THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10897761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA YEARS AGO. I CALLED THEM A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY RECEIVED IT BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. TOYOTA IS RISKING MY LIFE AND THOSE OF MY PASSENGERS.
NHTSA complaint #10860693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DASH LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON SHOWING AIR BAGS ICON AND WE HAVE A RECALL DATED IN OCTOBER 2015 AND STATED THAT THE SUB-WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED AND THE THE SRS ECU WAS NOT REPLACED. EVERY TIME I CALL MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I FIND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT SENT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I USE [XXX] IN SYLACAUGA, AL 35150: PHONE [XXX]. GETTING WORRIED THAT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT DEPLOY ON US AND CAUSE US TO WRECK. TOYOTA IS DRAGGING FEET! MY PHONE IS [XXX] AND CAR IS IN WIFE'S NAME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10859873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IN MARCH 2015. MY CAR'S AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE TOYOTA DEALER RECOMMENDS THE ECU BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH TOYOTA AND MY CALL HAS BEEN ESCALATED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY STILL ARE NOT FIXING MY CAR. TOYOTA SAYS THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYING ACCIDENTALLY. I DO NOT FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS TAKING MY SAFETY OR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY SERIOUSLY. THE RECALL I RECEIVED CLEARLY STATES THAT THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM "REPLACEMENT OF THE SRS ECU IS NOW ALSO REQUIRED FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL TO BE COMPLETE," IT JUST SEEMS THAT THEY WON'T. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A CAR IN WHICH I AM NOT CONFIDENT. PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA EXECUTE THIS RECALL IN A MORE TIMELY MANNER.
NHTSA complaint #10836656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.