IllustrationOVER THE COURSE OF 1 MONTH BOTH HIGH BEAMS EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BULB CHIPS ARE INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY. HEADLIGHT LEVELING SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING ON 1 SIDE, LIGHT IS POINTING TO THE GROUND. *TR
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
What owners actually said
349 reportsWHEN I STARTED MY CAR LAST WEEK, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BULB BUT TOOK IT TO A SHOP WHERE THEY TRIED TO REPLACE THE BULB BUT I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT THE BULB. IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER BUT SEEMS TO TURN ON AND OFF BUT WITHOUT ANY CONSISTANCY. WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, …
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WHEN I STARTED MY CAR LAST WEEK, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BULB BUT TOOK IT TO A SHOP WHERE THEY TRIED TO REPLACE THE BULB BUT I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT THE BULB. IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER BUT SEEMS TO TURN ON AND OFF BUT WITHOUT ANY CONSISTANCY. WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNING ON AND OFF TOGETHER. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE WORKING BUT I HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF EVERY FEW MINUTES TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE CHECKED AGAIN BUT I AM BEING TOLD AGAIN IT IS NOT THE BULBS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE! I AM WAITING FOR THEM TO TURN OFF ONE LATE NIGHT AND NOT RETURN ND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, INJURING ME AND MY FAMILY. *TT
THE STARTER BUTTON WILL NOT WORK ABOUT 1 OUT OF EVERY 50 TRIES. THIS IS A NO KEY IGNITION CAR. THIS CONDITION STARTED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES. DOESN'T RESPOND TO PROCEDURE IN CAR'S HAND BOOK. TOYOTA DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. TOYOTA DEALER IN REDLANDS CALIFORNIA.
I HAVE THE 2008 TOYOTA AVALON TOURING. THE HID/LOW BEAM PASSENGER LIGHT WENT OUT. DEALER ADVISED BOTH LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEED REPLACED AT $1088 EACH PLUS 2 HOURS LABOR. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THEY ARE BACKLOGGED 90 DAYS. DEALER JUST RECEIVED ONE THAT WAS ORDERED 90 DAYS AGO. DRIVING WITH ONE LIGHT (MAYBE 2 SOON) IS DANGER…
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I HAVE THE 2008 TOYOTA AVALON TOURING. THE HID/LOW BEAM PASSENGER LIGHT WENT OUT. DEALER ADVISED BOTH LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEED REPLACED AT $1088 EACH PLUS 2 HOURS LABOR. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THEY ARE BACKLOGGED 90 DAYS. DEALER JUST RECEIVED ONE THAT WAS ORDERED 90 DAYS AGO. DRIVING WITH ONE LIGHT (MAYBE 2 SOON) IS DANGEROUS AND I CAN'T PARK IT IN THE GARAGE FOR 90 DAYS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE REPLACING FREE AND SUPPLYING A RENTAL CAR WHILE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. *TR
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS BOTH RIGHT & LEFT GO OFF INTERMITTINGLY, I HAD ORIGINALLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH NIGH BEAMS THEY WERE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
RIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT / DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT GOES OUT APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED. OCCURS WHETHER VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTING WILL RESET LIGHT FOR A FEW MINUTES.
I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH FRONT LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WOULD WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY KEEPING ME AT BAY AS I COULD NOT DRIVE @ NIGHT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE REPLACED ON TWO APPOINTME…
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I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH FRONT LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WOULD WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY KEEPING ME AT BAY AS I COULD NOT DRIVE @ NIGHT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE REPLACED ON TWO APPOINTMENTS AT $192.50 PER BULB ALONG WITH LABOR.. THE TOTAL CAME TO $310.20 X 2= $620.40 THAT'S A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS INFORMED THAT I WAS USING THE LIGHTS TOO MUCH AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE LIGHTS GOING OUT!! MY CAR HAS LOW MILES AND IT TOLD HIM THAT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. I AM VERY DISCOURAGED WITH THE OUTCOME OF HAVING TO FORK OUT SO MUCH MONEY FOR A FACTORY DEFECT, SHAME ON TOYOTA! *TR
DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. TURNING LIGHTS OFF AND ON MAKES IT WORK AGAIN, BUT PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND THE DURATION THE HEADLIGHT STAYS ON APPEARS TO BE SHORTER AFTER EACH ON/OFF CYCLE. *TR
HID HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. LIGHT WAS REPLACED IN MAY, 2011. HID LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED ON 12/13/11.
HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERING... ONE DAY ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT, THE NEXT DAY, THE OTHER LIGHT... ESSENTIALLY TAKING TURNS GOING OFF. THEN BOTH WOULD BE ON. PER SOME RECENT COMPLAINTS, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE REPLACING THE LOW BEAMS WILL FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURING ISSUE CONSIDERING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS S…
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HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERING... ONE DAY ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT, THE NEXT DAY, THE OTHER LIGHT... ESSENTIALLY TAKING TURNS GOING OFF. THEN BOTH WOULD BE ON. PER SOME RECENT COMPLAINTS, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE REPLACING THE LOW BEAMS WILL FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURING ISSUE CONSIDERING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME MODEL. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ADVISED THIS HAD NOTHING TO DUE WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE HIGH BEAM ISSUE. *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.