2014 Toyota Avalon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Forward Collision Avoidance (16) · Visibility/Wiper (9) · Electrical System (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Avalon model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
60 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2020-01-17 · campaign 20V024000 · 2,891,976 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking 2015-11-03 · campaign 15V728000 · 30,812 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an
Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2014-11-07 · campaign 14V715000 · 5,650 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Camry, Camry HV, Avalon, and Avalon HV vehicles equipped with 16-inch and 17-inch rims. In the affected vehicles, the left-side front suspension lower arm may have been incorrectly manufactured. As a result, the left side lower arm may not have enough clamping surface area for one of the bolts that secures the lower arm to the lower ball joint.
Risk: Because of the insufficient clamping force, the lower arm may separate from the ball joint, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left side lower arm, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2014-09-19 · campaign 14V576000 · 15,872 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Service bulletins (448)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Showing the 6 most recent of 448 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-27 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 362,712 mi“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 …”
2024-11-20 · Visibility/Wiper“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.…”
2024-08-12 · Vehicle Speed Control“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 con…”
2023-07-08 · Power Train“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. …”
2023-04-20 · Steering:steering Wheel /Handle Bar:yaw/Angle Sensor · 96,917 mi“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 vehic…”
2023-04-01 · Visibility/Wiper“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 i…”
2023-03-08 · Visibility/Wiper“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. …”
2022-07-16 · Visibility/Wiper“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.…”
2022-03-25 · Unknown Or Other“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 an…”
2021-12-10 · Service Brakes“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 diagn…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.