What 96 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Toyota Avalon

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to AAA Auto Repair facility and the contact was informed that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase the vehicle mileage was 93,326, and after AAA retrieved the Carfax Report, it was discovered that the mileage was 362,712.

NHTSA ODI 11683520

Installed new Rainex wipers two days ago. Driving tonight in rain and the exterior of the windshield has a film on it that makes it difficult to see when the wipers cycle when near streetlights or when cars with headlighs on are approaching. Seems really dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11626532

I was pulling into a parking spot when my car suddenly accelerated to a very high speed. I traveled over a curb, on some pavement, through some bushes, knocked down a light pole and miraculously came to a stop. My foot was pumping the brakes to no avail. My entire car was damaged but miraculously no one was hurt. Car was towed to a mechanic who confirmed that the car accelerated with him as well. Front, back, underside, roof, tires and frames were all badly damaged.

NHTSA ODI 11607893

My 2014 Toyota Avalon transmission failed with only 98,000 miles on it. I have always maintained this car flawlessly. I got a check engine light 07/07/23 and immediately had it towed to a certified mechanic. Was told the car needs a transmission replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11531081

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH for 20 miles, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was parked and then towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,917.

NHTSA ODI 11518025

The rear window retractable sun visor motor/gears have failed. When this happens, it leaves the sun visor in the up position in the rear window at all times. This makes it very, very, hard to see anything out the rear window at night, also pretty hard when it's raining or cloudy out. I understand this has happened to quite a lot of these cars and is a VERY expensive repair cost. I feel this is hazard that Toyota should bear the cost of fixing, because of the sheer amount of vehicles this has happened. Thank you for keeping us all informed and safe from these types of things!

NHTSA ODI 11514911

Dash board is melting which causes it to get shiny which causes it to reflect onto the windshield. This reflection makes it very difficult to see other vehicles, road lines, and traffic direction sighns.

NHTSA ODI 11510757

The reflective trim on the interior of the vehicle creates pain for the eyes and is so high that it interferes with the ability of the driver to see out the front window.

NHTSA ODI 11474248

The passenger side mirror failed. The mirror exploded into the passenger window with a loud sound while driving at 35 mph. No rock found impacting mirror, no bird found at impact point, no dead animal found at impact point. If passenger window had not been up then mirror remains would have entered the car cabin. The mirror has been replaced and is not available for inspection. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center to my knowledge. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of a problem prior to the failure. The problem occurred on March 22nd, 2022 at 10:30 AM eastern time zone approximately.

NHTSA ODI 11458372

Multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dash while stopped at a traffic signal. (Photo attached) Note: the photo does not show the red "PCS" light which was flashing. I was able to get off the road safely although the brakes did not feel normal. Had the car towed to Capitol Toyota in San Jose the following morning for repair. They diagnosed the problem as a failure in the Master Cylinder Booster Unit and replaced it. Note: the attached invoice misstates the issue as "check engine light" which is incorrect.

NHTSA ODI 11443380

My Avalon is trying to kill me. I promise I have done nothing wrong! When going down the highway at 85mph I have had people cut in front of me. When pushing on the brakes to avoid collision, the brakes lock up and do not release for about 5 seconds. Naturally, this is quite unnerving for myself, passengers as cars that scatter around me when the Avalon takes control --- slamming on the brakes --- and wont hand control back until it has caused quite a mess. This has happened three times now and no one can tell me what is wrong. I am told to get a brake job at the Toyota dealership even though the pads still have plenty of life.

NHTSA ODI 11434535

TL*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL CASING FOR THE ELECTRONIC ADJUSTABLE SEATS LOOSENED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAVANNAH TOYOTA (11101 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31419) WHO REPLACED THE CASING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11414006

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, LIGHT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR INCIDENTS OF UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE FOURTH INCIDENT RESULTED IN A COLLISION WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPACE AHEAD. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LIA TOYOTA OF ROCKLAND (618 NY-303, BLAUVELT, NY 10913) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND A TEST DRIVE WAS PERFORMED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A THIRD-PARTY TEST DRIVE AND DIAGNOSIS THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11406432

FROM THE TIME FRAME OF 2017 TIL THE PRESENT, THE HEADLAMPS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD BURN OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. EACH TIME I REPLACE THEM, THEY WOULD LAST FOR ABOUT 4 TO 6 MONTHS AND THEN THEY WOULD BURN OUT AGAIN. SOMETIMES EITHER ONE WOULD BURN, LEFT OR RIGHT, AND TWICE I'VE HAD BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS CAUSING THE HEAD LAMPS TO BURN OUT. I'VE REPLACED THEM EACH TIME, AND IN COUNTING I HAVE REPLACED THEM AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE 2017. THIS IS TOTALLY UNUSUAL COMPARED TO MY OTHER TWO CARS WHERE I'VE NEVER ONCE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS ON THESE. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AND OTHER TIMES WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON BEFORE DRIVING. TODAY (MARCH 1, 2021) IS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THE DRIVER SIDE LAMP WENT OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA ODI 11398613

THE TOYOTA AVALON HAS A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH THE SUNSHADE IN THE REAR VIEW WINDOW BREAKING AND STAYING IN THE UP POSITION. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FUNCTION TO KEEP THE SUNSHADE IN THE DOWN/STORED STATE. THIS CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS VISIBILITY ISSUE WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR AND/OR AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11398285

THE REAR WINDOW SHADE MUST STAY IN THE UP POSITION OR MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN VEHICLE IS I PLACED IN REVERSE. THEREFORE, THE SHADE HAS TO STAY IN THE UP POSITION, WHICH MAKES NIGHT DRIVING HAZARDOUS DUE TO LACK OF REAR VISION. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND MANY TOYOTA'S HAVE THIS PROBLEMS FOR MANY YEARS MODELS ACCORDING TO INTERNET. NEEDS A RECALL FOR SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI 11339454

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE SUN ROOF. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT LOST THE KEYS FOR THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FRED HAAS TOYOTA COUNTRY, 22435 TX-249, HOUSTON, TX 77070, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,014.

NHTSA ODI 11338665

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11318833

ALL LEATHER AREAS ARE STICKY AND DIFFICULT TO USE IN THE CABIN. THE DASH, ALL COVERS, SHIFT NOB, CENTER CONSOLE, AND STEERING WHEEL. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WHERE EVERYWHERE YOU TOUCH IS STICKY. IT ALSO HAS AN ODOR AND MOLD/MILDEW SMELL. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11312183

ON AUGUST 17, 2018 I WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON IL ROUTE 83 AND I ENTERED AN INTERSECTION AT IL ROUTE 83 AND TORRANCE AVENUE AT LYNWOOD, IL ON A GREEN TRAFFIC SIGNAL. A DRIVER WITHOUT A DRIVERS LICENSE WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON TORRANCE AVENUE AND ENTERED THE INTERSECTION ON A RED SIGNAL. I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON MY CAR BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND MY CAR HIT THE OTHER DRIVERS CAR IN THE SIDE. THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11301817

REAR HEADLINER TO VEHICLE IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM INTERIOR ROOF. THIS IS APPEARING AT REAR WINDSHIELD AREA WHICH IS COMPROMISING INHIBITING THE VIEW, SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS 42,400 MILES BUT OVER A YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS APPEARED IN DECEMBER 2019. SHOULD NOT OF HAPPENED TO A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE/MILES. TOYOTA HAS SAID THIS WILL BE A ONE TIME FIX.SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO SEE OUT OF REAR WINDOW, AN ATTORNEY WILL BE CONTACTED FOR A LAWSUIT AGAINST TOYOTA AS I'VE READ OF OTHER CAR WITH EXACT SAME DEFECT

NHTSA ODI 11299563

I HAVE 95000 MILES ON MY TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT JUST QUIT - DEAD STOP (VERY DANGEROUS) AND, HAD IT NOT BEEN A HYBRID, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. TURNS OUT THAT THE FUEL PUMP STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. MY LAST AVALON WENT ALMOST 300,000 MILES ON THE SAME FUEL PUMP. THE PUMP, IN MY OPINION, IS FAULTY BUT OUT OF WARRANTY. TOYOTA IS CHARGING OVER $1,000 TO FIX IT. I TRIED TO GET TOYOTA MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION (DISTRICT MGR.) FROM THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WOULD NOT SUPPLY IT IN ORDER FOR ME TO DRAW ATTENTION TO TOYOTA OF THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF A KEY COMPONENT OF THE CAR. I CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS, GOT THE SAME RESPONSE AND FELT LIKE THEY COULD CARE LESS THAT THERE MAY BE A DEFICIENCY IN THEIR COMPONENTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN ONLINE OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS EARLY FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. TOYOTA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND THEY NEED TO ISSUE A TSB ON IT AND PERFORM THE WORK AT COST VS MAKING MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT COULD KILL ME AND MY FAMILY MEMBERS. I STILL CAN GET OVER THEIR LACK OF CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11289360

I HAVE A REAR SUNSHADE ON THIS 2014 AVALON LIMITED VERSION THAT WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL I DECIDED TO PARK MY CAR OUTSIDE IN THE HOT SUMMER IN HOUSTON. THE AUTOMATIC REAR SUNSHADE STOPPED WORKING AND IS NOW STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. NOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE VISIBILITY IS VERY POOR AT NIGHT AS A RESULT OF THE SHADE STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE SHADE. I AM UNABLE TO REVERSE AT NIGHT. VERY INCONVENIENT. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11267975

PRE COLLOSION SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE A COMPUTER IN THE SYSTEM AT A COST OF OVER $1000. WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY OR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11267586

PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS). MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED BUT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING MORE THAN ATTEMPT TO RECREATE. THEY DID SAY, THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY THE PCS MISREADING OBJECTS ON THE ROAD, WHICH IS WHAT YOUR RECALL NOTICE STATES. CAN YOU PLEASE INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THIS RECALL. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR THIS WARNING SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE, FALSELY NOTIFYING OF EMERGENCY WHEN THERE IS NONE. I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE ON 5/3/2019 AS A TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED CAR. WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASING I BEGAN HAVING THIS PCS WARNING LIGHT AND BEEPING GOING OFF AND THE BREAK LIGHT COMING ON. THE BREAKING SYSTEM HAS NOT AUTOMATICALLY BEEN ENGAGED BUT I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN I DRIVE. AT BEST, IT IS A HUGE DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER

NHTSA ODI 11241024