Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

106 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 6 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

unintended acceleration 10sudden stalling 2
A recent report: The engine has quit while in traffic several times and the check engine light and the skid control lights are the only lights lit on the dashboard. Once the car comes to rest and one waits 3 to 5…
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The engine has quit while in traffic several times and the check engine light and the skid control lights are the only lights lit on the dashboard. Once the car comes to rest and one waits 3 to 5 minutes, the car will restart. We have taken the car to the dealer twice, ( each time the had it for nearly a week) and they could not find the problem. This is a very serious problem because the engine stops without notice causing loss of power steering and total loss of control. The lights for check engine and skid control are sometimes on when this happens, but not always; and the fact that these lights are lit does not predict this event happening.I think there might be a sensor in the engine that is faulty.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11443659 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
21

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 3unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEY FOB AND DOOR LOCKS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE KEY FOB AT TIMES WOULD ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S…
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2011 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE KEY FOB AND DOOR LOCKS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE KEY FOB AT TIMES WOULD ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. ALL OTHER DOORS HAD TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. MORE RECENTLY, THE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AS WELL AS THE LOCK SWITCHES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ECM. *JS

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11383733 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
8

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

unintended acceleration 4loss of braking 2rollaway 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GENERATOR AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GENERATOR AND SPUN IN THE GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. TOYOTA TOWED THE VEHICLE TO JEFF HENDRICKS TOYOTA: 228 S COLLEGE RD, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 (910) 791-2424, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INVESTIGATOR WHO TRAVELED FROM VIRGINIA. THE TEST WAS NOT COMPLETED AND THE RESULTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11221510 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
28

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 21fluid leaks 3
A recent report: TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN LOCK LOOSENS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES TO SHAKE. ADVISED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT I COULD PAY THEM…
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TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN LOCK LOOSENS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES TO SHAKE. ADVISED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT I COULD PAY THEM TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WITH A UPGRADED REPAIR THAT TOYOTA HAS IDENTIFIED. A NOTICE WAS NEVER SENT OUT TO TOYOTA OWNERS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NOTICE. SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE BULLETIN (#00206, NHTSA # 10019669) THEY NOW INFORM ME OF A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TELESCOPIC LEVER DETENT CLIP AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0147-13 AND ALSO THAT TOYOTA HAD A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ZTY TO ADDRESS IT WHICH EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD CONTINUE TO STAND BEHIND.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11407050 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3software faults 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side seat belt failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the front…
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The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side seat belt failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt latch failed to unlock. The contact stated that his wife was stuck in the seat for five minutes doe to the failure. The contact attempted several times before the seat belt unlatched. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,578.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11628627 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
26

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 2software faults 1
A recent report: the rear trunk lid arms broken lid feel on top of me

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11515505 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
6

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 2premature wear 1
A recent report: I WAS USING THE LEVER TO PUSH THE SEAT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ONE SIDE STOPPED MOVING, CAUSING THE OTHER SIDE TO DERAIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM HUDSON TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY, AND THE TECHNICIAN…
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I WAS USING THE LEVER TO PUSH THE SEAT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ONE SIDE STOPPED MOVING, CAUSING THE OTHER SIDE TO DERAIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM HUDSON TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY, AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO GET SEAT BACK ON TRACK. HOWEVER, HE WASN'T ABLE TO GET THE SIDE MOVING, AND STATED THE ENTIRE SEAT RAIL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, I WAS TOLD I HAVE A LEAK IN THE ROD AND PINION SYSTEM BECAUSE THE INNER SEAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH, I SERVICE MY VEHICLE REGULARLY WITH FRED ANDERSON TOYOTA, AND NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN SAID ABOUT THIS.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11373521 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 106 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2024, roughly 8 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.