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2019 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota Avalon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

30 reports with mileage · 40 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

70 reports
1,500 miles · Mar 7, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

MY CAR MOSTLY PARKED IN THE GARAGE. LATELY, IT'S GETTING WORSE AND NOTICING ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH, STALL AT SPEED ABOUT 20 MPH AND HUMMING FROM UNDER REAR OF THE CAR HOURS AFTER IT'S SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11316755

19,000 miles · Mar 7, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CHANGING INTERSECTION IN THE CITY STREETS ENGINE STALLS LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL.

NHTSA ODI #11316681

6,029 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ALONG A LOCAL ROAD, PROBABLY ABOUT 30MPH. I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR, AND THEN SPUN INTO A MEDIAN AND STRUCK A TREE. MUCH OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN AND DISPLACED FROM THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I WA…

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I WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ALONG A LOCAL ROAD, PROBABLY ABOUT 30MPH. I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR, AND THEN SPUN INTO A MEDIAN AND STRUCK A TREE. MUCH OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN AND DISPLACED FROM THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I WAS RESTRAINED BY THE SEAT BELT ONLY. THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS IS OF GREAT CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #11311011

500 miles · Feb 21, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

EVERY TIME CAR IS FILLED UP, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AS IT SITS IN MY GARAGE. AFTER DRIVING IT A BIT, THE ODOR GOES AWAY UNTIL I FILL IT AGAIN. I DON'T TOP IT OFF, YET THIS HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11310505

20 miles · Feb 15, 2020
Power Train

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL A MONTH AGO. EVERY TIME I'M DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH I FEEL A ROUGH DOWN SHIFT IS NOT THAT BAD, BUT I NOTICE IT. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING SLOW, MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THE CITY.TOYOTA HASN'T SENT ANYTHING REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I THOUGHT IT WOULD GO AWAY BU…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL A MONTH AGO. EVERY TIME I'M DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH I FEEL A ROUGH DOWN SHIFT IS NOT THAT BAD, BUT I NOTICE IT. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING SLOW, MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THE CITY.TOYOTA HASN'T SENT ANYTHING REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I THOUGHT IT WOULD GO AWAY BUT IT HASN'T.

NHTSA ODI #11309436

1,500 miles · Feb 9, 2020
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS, WHEN ON LOW BEAM, IN NON AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS (TOTAL DARKNESS) DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH TO DETECT PERSONS WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR CARS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS UNDULATING (DIPS, CURVES, HILLS). HEADLIGHT PROJECTION CAN BE REDUCED TO 1 1/2 CAR LENGTHS ON DIPS ON DAR…

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THE HEADLIGHTS, WHEN ON LOW BEAM, IN NON AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS (TOTAL DARKNESS) DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH TO DETECT PERSONS WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR CARS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS UNDULATING (DIPS, CURVES, HILLS). HEADLIGHT PROJECTION CAN BE REDUCED TO 1 1/2 CAR LENGTHS ON DIPS ON DARK NIGHT. THE LOW BEAM CUTOFF LINE CAN BE AN ISSUE AS THERE IS NO VISION THRU THE UPPER HALF OF THE WINDOW IN SUCH CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11307980

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE, A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR EMITS FROM THAT GAS TANK NEAR THE GAS CAP. AFTER PARKING IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT, THE ENTIRE GARAGE HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR AND IT EVEN LEAKS INTO THE HOUSE. DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED AND SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS AS…

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THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE, A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR EMITS FROM THAT GAS TANK NEAR THE GAS CAP. AFTER PARKING IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT, THE ENTIRE GARAGE HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR AND IT EVEN LEAKS INTO THE HOUSE. DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED AND SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS AS THERE HAS TO BE A LEAK OR SEAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11301532

4,500 miles · Dec 10, 2019
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS OR AT DUSK, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOSEPH AIRPORT TOYOTA (1180 W NATIONAL RD, VANDALIA, OH 45377, (937) 898-8060) TO BE INSPECTED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS OR AT DUSK, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOSEPH AIRPORT TOYOTA (1180 W NATIONAL RD, VANDALIA, OH 45377, (937) 898-8060) TO BE INSPECTED. THE HEADLAMPS WERE ADJUSTED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

NHTSA ODI #11288116

900 miles · Nov 25, 2019
Power Train

THESE ISSUES OCCUR CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREETS AT LOW SPEEDS, BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. (1) WHEN EXECUTING A STOP AND GO EITHER AT A STOP LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, MY 2019 AVALON XLE EMITS A "JERKING" MOTION BEFORE IT DECIDES TO KICK INTO GEAR. THE "JERKING" CAN EASILY BE FELT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE…

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THESE ISSUES OCCUR CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREETS AT LOW SPEEDS, BETWEEN 0-35 MPH. (1) WHEN EXECUTING A STOP AND GO EITHER AT A STOP LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, MY 2019 AVALON XLE EMITS A "JERKING" MOTION BEFORE IT DECIDES TO KICK INTO GEAR. THE "JERKING" CAN EASILY BE FELT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE DRIVERS EXPERIENCING THIS "JERKING". I THOUGHT THE "JERKING" WAS OCCURRING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS WARNING UP, BUT "JERKING" OCCURS AT ALL TIMES. (2) WHEN TRAVELLING AT 30-35 MPH, AND AFTER RELEASING PRESSURE OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IF THE BRAKES ARE SLOWLY BEING APPLIED INSTEAD OF COASTING DOWN THE STREET. I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. THE ABOVE ISSUES HAVE BEEN OCCURRING SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 10 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN TO BE PUBLISHED, BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY GUARANTEE THAT SUCH A BULLETIN WOULD EVER BE PUBLISHED. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL CASES AT TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD MY CASE WOULD BE REVIEWED BY THE TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. AGAIN, NO GUARANTEE THAT THE TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WOULD EVER REVIEW MY CASE. AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSES OR FOLLOW UPS EMAILS FROM TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS RE: MY 2019 AVALON TRANSMISSION ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11282119

3,600 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

AT 3600 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, CAN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PLUS ALL THE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS AND MALFUNCTION MESSAGES ABOUT EVERY SENSOR IN THE CAR, CAR LOST POWER AND ACCELERATION, ENGINE STARTS SOMETIMES ONLY. DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS A FULL TANK OF E85 GAS, GAS STATION DOES NOT SELL THAT AND NO ANY OTHER COMPL…

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AT 3600 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, CAN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PLUS ALL THE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS AND MALFUNCTION MESSAGES ABOUT EVERY SENSOR IN THE CAR, CAR LOST POWER AND ACCELERATION, ENGINE STARTS SOMETIMES ONLY. DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS A FULL TANK OF E85 GAS, GAS STATION DOES NOT SELL THAT AND NO ANY OTHER COMPLAINT OF E85. DID MY OWN TESTING, DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ANY ETHANOL IN GAS. I SAVED ALL THE GAS FOR FURTHER TESTING. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA CORP BUT THEY STOOD BY AND SUPPORTED THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS. GAS STATION INSURANCE CARRIER DENIED THE CLAIM. EVEN IF IT WAS E85 GAS, THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE ALL THIS IMPACT ON THIS AVALON AND ITS COMPUTER SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11279958

Official recalls

4

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 13, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

19V244000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 27, 2019

Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.

18V685000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:software

Oct 4, 2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.

Air Bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.

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.