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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

349 reports
59,100 miles · May 2, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS COASTING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE HARDER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE BEGAN TO UNCONTROLLABLY RACE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD, FLIPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, MISSING THE CAR IN FRONT BY …

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I WAS COASTING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE HARDER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE BEGAN TO UNCONTROLLABLY RACE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD, FLIPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, MISSING THE CAR IN FRONT BY INCHES. I WAITED APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS, RESTARTED THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO UNCONTROLLABLY RACE AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES RE-STARTED THE CAR AND IT STARTED SOMEWHAT ROUGHLY BUT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR I CHECKED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS FIRMLY ANCHORED AND NOWHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND IT WAS. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT I WAS BRAKING AND THE CAR WAS SLOWING APPROPRIATELY SO IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ITSELF BECAME STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY TO THE DEALER AND NOTIFIED TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586209

90,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT TIME, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT AT VARIOUS TIMES. OCCASIONALLY AT THE SAME TIME. HE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT TIME, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT AT VARIOUS TIMES. OCCASIONALLY AT THE SAME TIME. HE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 5/19/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10576151

96,500 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS UTILIZING THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS PERIODICALLY ON A DARK EVENING. NEAR THE END OF A 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTE TRIP, THE HIGH BEAMS GAVE A SLIGHT FLICKER AND WENT OUT. UPON EXAMINATION TODAY, BOTH LIGHTS HAD BLOWN OR SHATTERED. I ORDERED NEW BULBS TODAY WITH $35 EACH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574485

68,000 miles · Mar 22, 2014
Exterior Lighting

WE WERE DRIVING ON ROUTE 95 IN SOUTH CAROLINA IT WAS RAINING WE HAD BEEN USING OUR BRIGHT LIGHTS WHEN WE SUDDENLY LOST OUR BRIGHT LIGHTS. WHEN WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION WE PULLED INTO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WE WERE INFORMED OUR HEAD LIGHT AND FIXTURES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THEY BOTH SIDES HAD EXPLODED WE WERE TR…

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WE WERE DRIVING ON ROUTE 95 IN SOUTH CAROLINA IT WAS RAINING WE HAD BEEN USING OUR BRIGHT LIGHTS WHEN WE SUDDENLY LOST OUR BRIGHT LIGHTS. WHEN WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION WE PULLED INTO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WE WERE INFORMED OUR HEAD LIGHT AND FIXTURES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THEY BOTH SIDES HAD EXPLODED WE WERE TREATED VERY POORLY BY TOYOTA.UPON INVESTIGATION THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA AVALON AND A EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD BEEN ISSUED OF WHICH WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF AND IT HAD EXPIRED.A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE EVENT HAPPENED AND IT COST US $2600 DOLLAR AND HAD TO DRIVE WITH A HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574181

80,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAMS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND TOYOTA IS NOT ADDRESSING. THEY WANT 3500 WITH LABOR TO FIX THIS ISSUE. SHOULD BE A RECALL. HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AT NIGHT AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES SHOULD BE PAID BY TOYOTA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568958

90,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,614.

NHTSA ODI #10568347

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2014
Exterior Lighting

HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HIGH BEAM BULBS ON TWO OCCASIONS (AUGUST 4, 2010 (UNDER WARRANTY) AND FEBRUARY 4, 2010) INCLUDING HAVING AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT EVALUATION PERFORMED WITH THE LAST INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566922

110,000 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Exterior Lighting

BOTH HIGH BEAMS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME WHILE ON DARK COUNTRY ROAD. LOW BEAM ON RIGHT SIDE CUTS OUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 72000 MILES FOR THE HID LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF BOTH HIGH BEAMS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION…

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BOTH HIGH BEAMS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME WHILE ON DARK COUNTRY ROAD. LOW BEAM ON RIGHT SIDE CUTS OUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 72000 MILES FOR THE HID LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF BOTH HIGH BEAMS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT CAUSE A CRASH. THE LOW BEAM CUTTING OUT AS IT DOES IS DANGEROUS. MY LOCAL DEALER SAYS BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2660.00. HEADLIGHTS ARE A NECESSARY SAFETY FEATURE. TOYOTA MUST KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION AND THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MODEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA TO DEMAND TOYOTA RECALL THE TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED CARS WITH THIS TYPE OF HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE LIGHTS WITH A RELIABLE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562254

45,000 miles · Jan 29, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10561978

101,000 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Exterior Lighting

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MAY 2013. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING. THE HEADLIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING BUT WILL COME BACK ON THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. CHECKING ONLINE REVEALED OTHER COMPLAINT…

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WE PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MAY 2013. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW THE LEFT HEADLIGHT IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING. THE HEADLIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING BUT WILL COME BACK ON THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. CHECKING ONLINE REVEALED OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE SAME ISSUE, INCLUDING BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF AT THE SAME TIME - DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT APPEARS THE HIGH BEAMS ARE OKAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561895

Official recalls

6

16V396000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.