IllustrationMUSTY WET SMELL INSIDE CAR WHEN HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER FAN IS TURNED ON. OFF AND ON SMELL OF OVERHEATED ELECTRICAL WIRES. *TR
2008 Toyota Avalon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Avalon years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Avalon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avalon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
510–25K
8625–50K
9550–75K
4375–100K
25100–150K
5150K+
305 reports with mileage · 44 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 209 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
44 reportsI OWNED A 2008 AVOLAN. IT CAUGHT FIRE DEC. 7 2009 AND BURNED UP. I THOUGHT I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS TO SOMEONE. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE, AND THE RESULT COULD BE DEATH. I GOT HURT BAD BUT I AM BETTER NOW.*CW
MY WIFE WAS TURNING OFF SUNRISE HIGHWAY (WESTBOUND) ONTO THE WELLWOOD AVE RAMP. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV VERY HIGH. SHE TRY TO STOP, USING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE THEN PUT IT INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WHILE STOPPED ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER IN THE REAR. THE MAIN PROBLEM HER…
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MY WIFE WAS TURNING OFF SUNRISE HIGHWAY (WESTBOUND) ONTO THE WELLWOOD AVE RAMP. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV VERY HIGH. SHE TRY TO STOP, USING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE THEN PUT IT INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WHILE STOPPED ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER IN THE REAR. THE MAIN PROBLEM HERE IS WHY DID THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE START TO REV UP. WHEN I GOT TO THE SCENE THERE WAS A POLICE OFFICE THERE. BOTH HE AND I CHECKED THE CAR, I GOT IN, HE OUTSIDE, AND WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE TACH SHOW ~950RPM. I LOOK AT THE FLOOR MAT AND IT WAS IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA. A REP FROM TOYOTA CALLED MY HOME AND SPOKE TO MY WIFE. HIS VERY FIRST QUESTION TO HER WAS DO YOU HAVE OTHER MANUFACTURER'S MATS IN THE CAR. SHE ANSWERED NO, THE CAME FROM TOYOTA. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN HOW NOTHING COULD BE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE WENT TO TOYOTA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE HE DETERMINE THE CORNER OF THE MAT MUST HAVE BEEN STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A FAIR INSPECTION SINCE HE SAID THIS SAME THING BEFORE HE EVER SAW THE VEHICLE AND WHEN THE POLICE OFFICE AND I CHECKED THE VEHICLE THE MAT WAS IN PLACE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BUT I DO KNOW THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE TOYOTA GAVE IT A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL INSPECTION. ALSO ANOTHER TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE CALL MY HOME AND IMPLIED WE WERE TRYING TO GET OUR DEDUCTIBLE FROM TOYOTA. IT IS REMARKS LIKE THIS THAT MAKE ME QUESTIONS THEIR FINDINGS. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING EXCEPT THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE VEHICLE IS SAFE NEITHER I NOR ANYONE ELSE WILL EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH HAS THE PUSH BUTTON START IN LIEU OF A KEY. WHEN STOPPING ON ANY INCLINE I DISCOVERED THAT UNLIKE THE TRADITIONAL KEY USED FOR THE IGNITION THAT IT IS POSSIBILE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT PUTTING IT INTO PARK. THE KEY SYSTEM FORCES YOU TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IN ORDER TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNI…
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I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH HAS THE PUSH BUTTON START IN LIEU OF A KEY. WHEN STOPPING ON ANY INCLINE I DISCOVERED THAT UNLIKE THE TRADITIONAL KEY USED FOR THE IGNITION THAT IT IS POSSIBILE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT PUTTING IT INTO PARK. THE KEY SYSTEM FORCES YOU TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IN ORDER TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION.. THE NEW ONE DOES NOT. I WAS DISTRACTED BY MY WIFE AND A NEW PUPPY WHICH WAS ABOUT TO VOMIT AND WANTED OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN I STOPPED I FAILED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND WHILE WE OPENED THE DOORS THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY.I REALIZE THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH THE OLD KEY SYSTEM . HOWEVER, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOT LESS LIKELY IN THE "OLD" KEY SYSTEM AND I BELIEVE THE NEW KEY LESS SYSTEM IS THEREFORE A DESIGN DEFECT AND A SERIUOS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.*CN
Official recalls
616V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
10V017000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Jan 21, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Oct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.