2017 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The torsion springs for the rear trunk are very weak. They have been that way since car was new. I have had multiple occasions where I opened the trunk and had it come down and hit me on the head. This has also happened to my wife.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2022
“Leaving a parking lot, the car jumped out of gear. Thought maybe I had bumped the gear selector but attempts at putting the car in gear resulted in grinding noises and the only option was to put it in PARK. Check engine light came on. Mechanic diagnosed a speed sensor. Had this happened on the freeway or while trying to pass another car on a two lane and a speed sensor disable the entire car to me is dangerous and should be addressed. Had the check engine light come on, I would have had the sensor replaced right away. I now feel this is an unsafe situation that could arise in other 2017 Toyota cars”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2017 toyota avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v024000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unnamed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2017 toyota avalon. The contact received an email confirmation of NHTSA campaign number: 20v024000 (air bags). The NHTSA hotline was contacted and an inquiry was made in regard to the status of the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“Toyota's failure to install an engine auto stop caused the carbon monoxide death of two people. Failure to have proper outside warnings like a honk to warn the operator not to remove the key from the car led to this death.”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“Toyota's failure to install an engine auto stop caused the carbon monoxide death of two people. Failure to have proper outside warnings like a honk to warn the operator not to remove the key from the car led to these deaths. Vehicle was stationary in a garage. People were inside the home. Https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=james-livingston&pid=192908732 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=sherry-penney&pid=192908731”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“Toyota's failure to install an engine auto stop caused the carbon monoxide death of two people. Car was stationary. Failure to have proper outside warnings like a honk to warn the operator not to remove the key from the car led to this death.”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“Toyota's failure to install an auto-stop caused the carbon-monoxide poisoning of two (more) people, many dozens of such deaths reported. (detail: they had likely stopped the engine, but the wireless fob can re-start; and this model has an auto stop/start function that can also lead to death.] note: not my car, my parents.”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“Toyota avalon fails to have an ignition auto shut off which led to death of two individuals. This design flaw did not prevent the car from idling indefinitely and filling the house with carbon monoxide' a toxic fatal gas. The car does not have proper external warnings like a honk to advise a driver they may have removed the key from the car.”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“I was pulling out of a church parking spot very slowly. Once out of the spot I stopped and then all of a sudden the car accelerated as if it shifted into curse control. We traveled approximately 15 feet before hitting a tree. It all happened so suddenly that there was nothing I could do.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2017 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Toyota Avalon. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2017 Toyota Avalon have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning tires:temporary/emergency spare tire. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.