CSR

Toyota · NHTSA safety record

2019 Toyota Avalon

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 70 safety complaints about the 2019 Toyota Avalon with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 17 complaints, 24% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 5,117 miles, the median across the 30 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

70 complaints on file

70

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

5

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 · 24%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17 · 24%
POWER TRAIN 10 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 · 11%
ENGINE 7 · 10%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 7 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 4 · 6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 4 · 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 · 4%
LANE DEPARTURE 3 · 4%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 70.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 24.

28 21 14 7
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Toyota AVALON, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V682000 · November 4, 2020

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

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,525,742 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V012000 · January 13, 2020

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

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 1,830,752 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

19V244000 · March 27, 2019

The defect
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."
The risk
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. · up to 3,634 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

18V685000 · October 4, 2018

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

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 168,187 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STRUCTURE:BODY

3 injured · crash · towed · 2,370 miles

MY HUSBAND, AN 84 YEAR OLD, WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND GOT INTO A DOUBLE ACCIDENT. FIRST, HE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND HE GOT IN THE CAR AND BACKED UP. AS HE BACKED UP HE HIT A VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND HIM CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES. (PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR FULL POLICE REPORT FOR INFORMATION AS TO EXACTLY HOW FAR HE WOULD HAVE BACKED, BUT I BELIEVE NOT MUCH MORE THAN 1 TO 2 CAR LENGTHS.) THIS CAR HAD THE TOYOTA CARE PACKAGE INSTALLED, WHICH INCLUDED THE SAFE BACKING FEATURES TO SLOW A VEHICLE WHEN BACKING AND ANOTHER OBJECT IS BLOCKING THE PATH. MY QUESTION - WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE SAFETY FEATURES. MY HUSBAND LEFT THAT ACCIDENT AND DROVE ABOUT 1 BLOCK DOWN

NHTSA complaint 11241658, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 6,029 miles

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 complaint 11311011. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

crash · towed · 6,240 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO HER NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBORS METAL FENCE. THE CONTACT STATED AN UNKNOWN RED SIGN WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES OR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY AND HAD COSMETIC REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint 11367055, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

crash

I was pulling into a parking space when the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb and hit a tree. The car has auto-braking but this system did not function to stop the car.

NHTSA complaint 11552788. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
While driving the vehicle and stopped at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate when pressing the gas pedal. I pulled to the curb and turn off the car. After I start the car again, it will work fine. The vehicle has failed to accelerate several random times while driving and stopped at a light or stop sign causing a hazardous situation. The last time it occurred was on September 1, 2026. It has happened three times prior to this date also. No vehicle codes or warnings lamps were displayed on the dashboard at any time.

NHTSA complaint 11761911. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On XXX I purchase the vehicle TOYOTA AVALON XSE, with VIN #: [XXX]. I purchase the vehicle at LARRY [XXX] AMERICAN TOYOTA in [XXX], with the LIEN [XXX] KIRTLAND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BANK same city of [XXX]. I was told the vehicle had a 160 point check, yet when I check the THUMB DRIVE that was given to me by the business personnel. When I looked at the thumb drive, their were signed documents between myself and the business department of [XXX] American Toyota. I asked several of the salesperson if the car had a COMPREHENSIVE TUNE UP, all the replies were the vehicle had a 160 point check. So, I figured the vehicle had to have some kind of TUNE UP, the 160 point check consists of a

NHTSA complaint 11751699, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Ever since, I purchase my certified 2019 Toyota Avalon in around June 2022, my car has left me stranded on highways, city areas, and broke down coming out of my garage. I even purchase extended warranty, because of the high mileage it had 77,000 miles. On [XXX] car broke down Drive Belt had to be replaced, [XXX] [XXX] warning lights, dealership service technician couldn't figured out why engine was slowing down the vehicle, engine repair evac leak for gas cap, [XXX], while driving my car the vehicle, my car immediately stopped, it was towed to dealership of Larry H Miller on Alameda in Albuquerque NM, caused of my car stopping on the road in Albuquerque, the technician stated that he found

NHTSA complaint 11749408, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
UA80 transmission issues. High pitched whining Erratic and hard shifting shuttering and hesitation Issue has been diagnosed by dealership Toyota Technician and independent service center ASE Certified technicians. Car is still drivable, with no warning lamps as of yet. Issue became more noticeable after I had the transmission fluid changed by dealership.

NHTSA complaint 11746113. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The transmission needs to be replaced. My car has 75,146 miles and my check engine light came on while I was driving down the interstate. I took it to the Toyota dealership and they confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. I was told it would cost $8,600. I was looking for any recalls on my car and saw there were multiple lawsuits involving the transmission in my car and other Toyota and Lexus models. The primary lawsuits involve millions of vehicles equipped with the UA80 8-speed automatic transmissions.

NHTSA complaint 11743610. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am writing to formally report a serious and ongoing safety issue involving the Telematics / Data Communication Module (DCM) installed in Toyota vehicles. This issue presents a clear risk to driver and passenger safety and warrants immediate corrective action. The DCM is responsible for critical telematics and safety systems, including SOS Emergency Assistance, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. Failures of this system are not merely inconveniences—they directly compromise emergency response capabilities and vehicle reliability. Documented Failures and Safety Risks: Severe Battery Drain: Defective DCM units drain the vehicle battery even when the vehicle is off, leaving drivers stranded

NHTSA complaint 11726374, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Toyota Avalon

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2021 21 2 —
2020 10 3 1
2018 24 2 —
2017 14 2 10
2016 23 3 —
2015 41 2 —
2014 96 4 —
2013 137 4 —
2012 30 4 —
2011 106 1 —
2010 46 7 —

Other 2019 Toyota models

Every Toyota on this site — 281 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst