2009 Toyota Avalon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Avalon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Exterior lighting2523.6%
- Driver assistance1917.9%
- Steering1817.0%
- Electrical1110.4%
- Brakes109.4%
- Airbags54.7%
- Visibility43.8%
- Body & structure43.8%
- Engine32.8%
- Interior & seats21.9%
- Other / unspecified21.9%
- Powertrain (other)21.9%
- Fuel system10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
When driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon my headlights sporadically go out. Mostly on the drivers side. I have replaced the headlight on 3 separate occasions with in the last 3 Years and each time it cost me $185.00 for labor and the headlight. I also got stopped by the POLICE for it! Now in 2023 the right head light goes on and off sporadically since March 2023. Again, I got stopped by the POLICE! Now it's JUNE of 2023 and both lights went out while driving home at night. We took it to a different repair shop and was FINALLY told that this has been a problem for the 2009 Toyota Avalon for a while as it was a manufacturing DEFECT. A head light ballast I think. Why should I pay to fix this as well as tickets from the POLICE for a manufacturing ERROR!!! Now I have to pay for 2 Ballasts and 2 headlights????.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *BF *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR FOR SOME REASON HAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND ALSO THE VSC AND ABS LIGHT S COME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FEW VEHICLES DRIVING ON THE ROAD, A CURB, AND A PARKED VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The steering latch to adjust steering wheel unlocks while I’m driving causing my steering wheel to drop literally while I’m driving.
The steering wheel telescoping lever is faulty in that it will loosen in its own causing the steering wheel to lunge forward toward the dash unexpectedly with little pressure while driving.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. , DISCOVERED THAT BOTH LIGHT BULBS HAD SHATTERED INSIDE THE HEAD LAMP HOUSING. DEALER & TOYOTA USA CONFIRMS THAT TOYOTA HAS CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DESIGN THAT ACCOMODATES A DIFFERENT HIGH BEAM BULB THAT WILL NOT SHATTER. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE HOUSING EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED TO RECALL STATUS. TOYOTA USED, A NOW EXPIRED, EXTENDED WARRANTY TO AVOID THIS BEING A RECALL AS IT SHOULD BE. HOW MANY AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE TO LOSE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS!
VSC & ENGINE CHECK LIGHT LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY; THIS TIME AT 154K MILES. I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED AT A COUPLE OF DEALERSHIPS WITH NO RESOLUTION TO ISSUE.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR FOR SOME REASON HAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND ALSO THE VSC AND ABS LIGHT S COME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND VIBRATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,616.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN A JUNE 21 "T- BONE" COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS HIT BY AN SUV ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON US 20 IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, NONE OF THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY TO MY LEFT RIB CAGE (11 OF 12 RIBS EITHER BROKEN OR CRACKED). THE SUV HAD RUN A STOP SIGN AND WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN GOING 45-50 MPH. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BUT NOT THE SIDE AIRBAGS THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED VITAL PROTECTION. I SUSPECT THAT THE SENSORS FAILED TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
THE CAR FOR SOME REASON HAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND ALSO THE VSC AND ABS LIGHT S COME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD WHICH IS ALSO SHINY. IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS IT DISTRACTS THE VISIBILITY.
A POWER REAR WINDOW SUNSHADE IS AN OPTION THAT IS DESIGNED TO BE RETRACTABLE. A PUSH BUTTON SWITCH BELOW THE DASHBOARD IS SUPPOSED TO TOGGLE THE PERFORATED SUNSHADE TO THE RAISED AND RETRACTED POSITION. ONCE THE SUNSHADE IS RAISED NORMALLY, IT CANNOT BE RETRACTED AGAIN. ANY ATTEMPT TO LOWER IT RESULTS IN A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AS THE SHADE TRIES TO RETRACT BUT CANNOT.. THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED WHEN BACKING UP, SINCE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE (R) SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT THE SUNSHADE BUT CANNOT DO SO. MY SUNSHADE IS STUCK IN THE RAISED POSITION AND CANNOT BE LOWERED. ALTHOUGH I CAN SEE THROUGH THE SHADE FAIRLY WELL DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, VISION IS OBSCURED AT NIGHT AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALED THAT MANY OTHER AVALON OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAD THIS SUNSHADE OPTION HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND STRUGGLED TO FIND A SOLUTION. MANY TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM SO DIFFICULT TO SOLVE THAT THEY MUST CHARGE AN EXORBITANT SUM OF MONEY FOR A TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT MIGHT NOT LAST VERY LONG. THIS IS AN ANNOYING PROBLEM THAT BEGS FOR A PERMANENT AND AFFORDABLE SOLUTION!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon on a sunny day, I could not see clearly through my windshield due to the intense sunlight reflection from my dashboard. Upon searching the Internet, I see this is an ongoing issue with my car model. The manufacturer does not provide any remedy to address this issue and I feel very unsafe driving my car. Please help address this issue with the manufacturer.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while at the dealer he was notified about an extended warranty on the dashboard by another customer. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that the warranty had expired. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The contact had not received notification for the extended warranty on the dashboard. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while at the dealer he was notified about an extended warranty on the dashboard by another customer. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that the warranty had expired. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The contact had not received notification for the extended warranty on the dashboard. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT MY HAIRDRESSER'S (PART OF A STRIP MALL) AND HAD ALMOST REACHED THE CEMENT PARKING STOP, MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, JUMPED THE CURB, AND CRASHED INTO THE GLASS STOREFRONT BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP. IT FELT AS IF THE CAR HAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. LUCKILY, THE STOREFRONT WAS VACANT, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED, INCLUDING MYSELF, BUT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE STOREFRONT AND MY VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE BUTTON FOR THE HEATED SEAT IN THE OFF POSITION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V396000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
AFTER SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT GENERAL AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATES "OFF". REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V014000: THIS COVERS PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR ADJUSTMENT WHICH IS PROBABLE CAUSE IN THIS COMPLAINT. UPON CALLING SOUTHEAST TOYOTA ([XXX]) FEBRUARY 20TH, THEY INDICATED VIN WAS NOT COVERED? REQUEST ACTION TO ENFORCE RECALL FOR MY VIN AS IT IS MOST LIKELY CULPRIT FOR LIGHTS; AND MY PASSENGERS ARE AT RISK FOR INJURY DUE TO LACK OF PROPER AIR BAG OPERATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2009 TOYOTA AVALON HAS TWO RECALLS. FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE & STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDAL. TOYOTA SAID I CAN HAVE A REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSTALLED IN APRIL 2010. IT'S NOW 2.5 MONTHS LATER AND I'M STILL WAITING. TOYOTA HAS BEEN INSTALLING THE REDESIGNED PEDAL ON NEW CARS COMING OFF THE MANUFACTURING LINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE NOT INSTALLING THEM ON CURRENT CUSTOMER CARS. THEY KEEP HOLDING ME OFF. THEY PREFER TO SAW MY CURRENT PEDAL. I WATCHED THE DEALER DO THIS ON A CUSTOMER'S CAR. A HAND HELD HACK SAW IS USED TO SAW THE PEDAL FOLLOWED BY A HAND HELD METAL GRINDER TO SMOOTH THE CUT. I PAID $35,000 FOR A NEW CAR, NOT ONE HACKED. I AM FILLING THIS COMPLAINT FOR YOUR RECORDS. TOYOTA STILL IS NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THIS RECALL FROM NOV. 2009. *TR
MY 2009 TOYOTA AVALON HAS TWO RECALLS. FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE & STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 4 MONTHS AGO FROM TOYOTA BUT HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A FOLLOW-UP LETTER FOR REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES BY MAIL BUT THEY NEVER RESPONDED. TOYOTA IS INSTALLING BRAKE OVERRIDE SOFTWARE ON NEW AVALONS, HOWEVER IS NOT AVAILABLE AT MY DEALERSHIP FOR MY CAR. MY COMPLAINT IS TOYOTA IS INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE ON NEW CARS BUT IS NOT MAKING IT AVAILABLE FOR MY CAR. THAT IS A SERIOUS MISHANDLING OF SAFETY. TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO TAKE CARE OF CARS ON THE ROAD BEFORE NEW PRODUCTION AVALONS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A SUBTLE VIBRATION BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY NOISE. THE NEXT DAY THE VIBRATION NOISE WAS A LITTLE WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I QUESTIONED AT UNDER 60000 MILES, THE SHRUGGED. 6964.08 DOLLARS LATER AND 4 DAYS, NOISE WAS GONE. *TR
WE PICKED UP OUR NEW 2009 AVALON LIMITED ON 7/31/09. ON 9/7/09, AFTER RETURNING FROM A DRIVE, THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AS IT WAS OPENING. WE HAD STOPPED ABOUT 6 FEET FROM THE DOOR TO OPEN IT. AS WE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SHOT FORWARD INTO THE DOOR. DAMAGE TO THE CAR AMOUNTED TO $1500, AND ANOTHER $1000 FOR THE GARAGE DOOR. I DID NOT FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM. TOYOTA LATER RECALLED THE VEHICLE TO PUT A SPACER ON THE GAS PEDAL AND TO "RE-FLASH" THE COMPUTER. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND NOT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE SPACER WAS THE SOLUTION. I'VE ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A PROBLEM WITH THE FLOOR MATS; BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO FIX IT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT AN OVERRIDE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (TO CUT OUT THE GAS PEDAL) WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF THAT RECALL. THAT MIGHT HELP, BUT I'M STILL WAITING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ONLY ONCE. ONCE WAS ENOUGH! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE CAR SURGED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .