2018 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2017 and 2020 model years look more trouble-free.
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 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Involved in a 2 vehicle accident on October 26th. My car is totaled and so is the other car. No airbags deployed and my drivers side seat belt failed to lock in the accident. I was injured and taken by ambulance to hospital.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2025
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. The contact stated that the navigation system, the radio, and the upper third brake light was not functioning properly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the EMU in the computer on the air bag that was malfunctioning to be replaced. The dealer replaced the radio but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2021
“My car check engine light lane sensor light and Lad light came on and card had rough handling i took it to Toyota of plano and they worked on charged me $650 so i was was happy they fixed the problem after one day the lights came back they said it was the rodent damage a Rat chewed the wire because what i learned toyota is using soy base wires it attracts Rats they should not use it it is a safety hazards now my safety feathers don't work i can not afford $600 every other day so please recall this problem Thanks so many accidents can be avoided,”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“I own a 2018 toyota avalon that is subject to recall for a potentially defective fuel pump. I took the car in 8/3/2020 to fix the problem. I was advised the dealer did not have the correct fuel pump in parts and that it will be late sept. Or oct. Before they have the correct fuel pump. In the interim, I have a vehicle with a potential safety issue.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2020
“Checking on the status of the fuel pump recall?? Was supposed to get a notice by may but have not received the notice yet. I entered the 17 digit VIN numeber in your form but got no response.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2018 toyota avalon. The contact became aware that the vehicle was subjected to NHTSA campaign number: 20v024000 (air bags) after a VIN search was performed online. The contact spoke with NHTSA hotline and was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted nor made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“When driving on the interstate speed between 60-70 mph the car suddenly jerks to the right. I had the car checked because it felt scary (as if I would hit the car in the next lane) I had the problem checked through a reputable service center- the torque steering was off; car jerked with acceleration”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2019
“In dynamic radar cruise control, the car does not act as described on page 237 of the owners manual. The manual states even without canceling the cruise control, the set speed can be increased by first accelerating the vehicle to the desired speed and then pushing thelever down to set the new speed." when I try to do this the vehicle will quickly slow down to 1 mph below the previous set speed. Sometimes, the brakes are applied to bring the car down to that speed. This could be unsafe, especially on wet pavement. Toyota say the car acts as intended.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2019
“Toyota in their ads show the avalon to stop by itself in front of obstacles and people. My test shows this not to be the case with my car. Toyota advised to have the car checked and this was done. The local toyota dealer pronounced the car up to factory standards. . Please watch this youtube video : https://youtu.be/xetnknyb17w”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2018
“The pre-collision detection system does not operate. Dealership mike erdman toyota or toyota headquarters in texas will put in writing that the system works nor will they do an actual test to prove that it is operational. All they will say is that the computer analysis says it should be working. It does not work and will not stop the car in any circumstances or warn you of a potential danger!!!!!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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 (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 2018 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 2018 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Toyota Avalon. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2018 Toyota Avalon have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. 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.