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2011 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Toyota Avalon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

78 reports with mileage · 28 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.

  • Steering. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

106 reports
45,300 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Steering

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-26 THROUGH COLUMBIA, S.C., THE LEVER THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN POSITION AFTER ADJUSTMENT BY DRIVERS BECAME DIS-ENGAGED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL QUICKLY FALL FORWARD CAUSING ME TO LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL AND SWERVE SLIGHTLY BEFORE I COULD REGAIN FULL CONTROL. I REPORTED THIS TO THE SERV…

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WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-26 THROUGH COLUMBIA, S.C., THE LEVER THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN POSITION AFTER ADJUSTMENT BY DRIVERS BECAME DIS-ENGAGED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL QUICKLY FALL FORWARD CAUSING ME TO LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL AND SWERVE SLIGHTLY BEFORE I COULD REGAIN FULL CONTROL. I REPORTED THIS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT JOHNSON CITY TOYOTA ON MY RETURN HOME. I RETURNED AGAIN A MONTH LATER TO REPORT ANOTHER INCIDENT AND FOUND THE FIRST REPORT WAS NOT RECORDED. I, AS WELL AS MY WIFE HAVE HAD THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE AND SOMETIMES TWICE A MONTH FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. I CHECKED YOUR DATA BASE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER AVALON OWNERS REGISTERED THIS SAME COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10764019

50,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Electrical System

THE PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE KEY NOR WITH THE DOOR-LOCK SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE PASSENGERS COULD NOT ENTER THE CAR. THEIR DOOR HAD TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE PASSENGER DOORS NEED TO BE OPENED QUICKLY FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PROBLEM DISAPP…

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THE PASSENGER AND REAR DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPEN WITH THE REMOTE KEY NOR WITH THE DOOR-LOCK SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE PASSENGERS COULD NOT ENTER THE CAR. THEIR DOOR HAD TO BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE PASSENGER DOORS NEED TO BE OPENED QUICKLY FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AFTER ABOUT ONE WEEK. THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN LATE LAST MONTH. THE TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE JUNCTION BLOCK AND REPLACED THE BLOCK. THEY STATED THAT THE FULL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $1000, BUT ONLY CHARGED ME $120.

NHTSA ODI #10762914

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED THE SUBWOOFER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE DEALER DID NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED THE SUBWOOFER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10735126

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10734566

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10733304

26,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Electrical System

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A TOYOTA GARAGE ON 4/13/15 FOR THE SAFETY RECALL ON THE REAR SUB-ROOFER. AT THAT TIME, NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, I HAD THE SUB-ROOFER DISCONNECTED. I JUST CALLED 7/9/15, ALMOST 3 MONTHS LATER AND STILL NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. LOUSY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE PART OF TOYOTA MOTOR SALES.

NHTSA ODI #10733027

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DISCONNECTED THE SUB WOOFER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DISCONNECTED THE SUB WOOFER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10726515

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10724986

15,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10716488

20,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Steering

STEERING COLUMN LOCK LEVER COMES LOOSE WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING COLUMN TO TELESCOPE TO ITS LOWEST POSITION. HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC CAUSING UNSAFE REACTION WHEN TRYING TO REENGAGE THE LOCK LEVER TO STABILIZE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705478

Official recalls

1

15V047000 · Electrical System

Jan 28, 2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles manufactured February 9, 2010, to October 22, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the sub-woofer speaker located in the trunk may experience an intermittent electrical short which may cause damage to the integrated circuit (IC) in the audio amplifier. In some cases, the damaged IC may allow a constant electrical current flow to the sub-woofer.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A constant electrical current flow may cause the sub-woofer to overheat, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the audio system amplifier and install a protective cover around the sub-woofer, free of charge. The recall began on July 1,2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.