IllustrationThe telescopic steering wheel lever comes loose which will cause the wheel to lurch forward if the brakes are pushed in hard. This could be dangerous. This has happened twice in 2 months.
2008 Toyota Avalon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Avalon years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Avalon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avalon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
510–25K
8625–50K
9550–75K
4375–100K
25100–150K
5150K+
305 reports with mileage · 44 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 209 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports
Steering complaints
17 reportsTILT STEERING COLUMN LOCK DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE AND WILL DROP DOWN ANY TIME. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN CHANGE POSITION ANY TIME AND MY KNEE HITS THE LOCKING LEVER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK DRASTICALLY WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK DRASTICALLY WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE THAN TWICE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, A NEW RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTER HAD TROUBLE REMAINING LOCKED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO DROP VOLUNTARILY ONTO THE DRIVER'S LAP, WHICH MADE THE STEERING WHEEL IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTER HAD TROUBLE REMAINING LOCKED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO DROP VOLUNTARILY ONTO THE DRIVER'S LAP, WHICH MADE THE STEERING WHEEL IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
THE ADVISOR FROM TOYOTA GARAGE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE THE RACK BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING RACK IS LEAKING OIL AND I CAN HAVE AN EXPLOSION WHEN THE RACK IS FULL OF OIL. MY TOYOTA HAS 41.000 MILEAGE. HE IS LYING OR THE PART IS DEFECTIVE? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY CAR HAD 2 CALLS: PEDAL AND VVT-1 (4-12-10) AND CRACKED …
Read full complaint
THE ADVISOR FROM TOYOTA GARAGE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE THE RACK BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING RACK IS LEAKING OIL AND I CAN HAVE AN EXPLOSION WHEN THE RACK IS FULL OF OIL. MY TOYOTA HAS 41.000 MILEAGE. HE IS LYING OR THE PART IS DEFECTIVE? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY CAR HAD 2 CALLS: PEDAL AND VVT-1 (4-12-10) AND CRACKED DASHBOARD REPLACED (4-8-16).
TELESCOPIC LEVER IS RELEASED AND STEERING WHEEL MAKES TOWARD ON THE HIGHWAY IN DRIVING. THIS IS MY 3RD TIME EXPERIENCE. HOW CAN STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS RELEASED WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN DRIVING. ACCORDING THE 2008 TOYOTA AVALON MANUAL, TOYOTA ALREADY MAKES CAUTION LIKE THIS.(PAGE61) "AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL. MAKE S…
Read full complaint
TELESCOPIC LEVER IS RELEASED AND STEERING WHEEL MAKES TOWARD ON THE HIGHWAY IN DRIVING. THIS IS MY 3RD TIME EXPERIENCE. HOW CAN STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS RELEASED WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN DRIVING. ACCORDING THE 2008 TOYOTA AVALON MANUAL, TOYOTA ALREADY MAKES CAUTION LIKE THIS.(PAGE61) "AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL. MAKE SURE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. OTHERWISE, THE STEERING WHEEL MAY MOVE SUDDENLY, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND RESULTING IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY." "WHILE DRIVING. DO NOT ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL. DOING SO MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO MISHANDLE THE VEHICLE AND AN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY." TOYOTA MANUFACTURER ALREADY UNDERSTAND IF STEERING WHEEL IS UNLOCKED OR RELEASE IN DRIVING, CAUSING IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. I THINK TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY MAKES RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNLOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FULL FORWARD. THE LOCK HAD ALSO COME UNLOCKED ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR BUT I HAD NOTICED IT AND CORRECTED IT PRIOR TO THE WHEEL GOING FORWARD. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TODAY AND NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS SITES WITH COMPLAINTS OF TH…
Read full complaint
THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNLOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT FULL FORWARD. THE LOCK HAD ALSO COME UNLOCKED ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR BUT I HAD NOTICED IT AND CORRECTED IT PRIOR TO THE WHEEL GOING FORWARD. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TODAY AND NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS SITES WITH COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE ABOUT THE AVALON. *TR
STEERING WHEEL COLUMN ADJUSTMENT LEVER DROPS DOWN ALLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN TO COLLAPSE FORWARD (OR MOVE BACK IF HOLDING ON TO IT DURING VEHICLE ENTRY). LEVER INTERFERES WITH ENTRY AND EXIT OF THE VEHICLE AND HURTS THE LEG. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN IS NOT LOCKED AND IF IT COLLAPSES DURING A…
Read full complaint
STEERING WHEEL COLUMN ADJUSTMENT LEVER DROPS DOWN ALLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN TO COLLAPSE FORWARD (OR MOVE BACK IF HOLDING ON TO IT DURING VEHICLE ENTRY). LEVER INTERFERES WITH ENTRY AND EXIT OF THE VEHICLE AND HURTS THE LEG. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING COLUMN IS NOT LOCKED AND IF IT COLLAPSES DURING A CRASH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO LESS EFFECTIVENESS OF THE AIRBAG. THE PROBLEM STARTED SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE -- SOMETIMES UNLOCKING DAILY. *TR
STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY AS AUTOMOBILE AGE. POTENTIALLY CAUSE FOR AN ACCIDENT. FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS AT WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBLE.COM. AUTOMOTIVE VIBRATION CAUSES LEVER TO LOOSEN AND HANG DOWNWARD. DRIVER ENTERING OR EXITING VEHICLE KNEE STRIKES L…
Read full complaint
STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY AS AUTOMOBILE AGE. POTENTIALLY CAUSE FOR AN ACCIDENT. FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS AT WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBLE.COM. AUTOMOTIVE VIBRATION CAUSES LEVER TO LOOSEN AND HANG DOWNWARD. DRIVER ENTERING OR EXITING VEHICLE KNEE STRIKES LEVER CAUSING PAIN AND IN SOME CASES BRUISING. ASK LOCAL DEALER IF THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL, THEY SAID NO. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY NOT. *TR
Official recalls
616V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
10V017000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Jan 21, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Oct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.