2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Wheels (2) · Forward Collision Avoidance (2)
Safety recalls (2)
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.
Service bulletins (229)
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.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 229 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-07-03 · Unknown Or Other · 26,000 mi“driving on i-10 in the metarie, la area at speed limit, we heard a loud bang, then wind coming into the car. no other vehicles around us, we pulled to the side of the road and noticed that the sunroof had exploded. sounded like a bomb went off when it happened. we returned to our hotel and taped the glass to prevent further glass fracture and spra…”
2017-02-15 · Unknown Or Other · 36,000 mi“auto suddenly braked to a stop for no apparent reason. auto had been repaired for the recall, 15v728000, forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking. has occurred twice in the last month. have since deactivited the pre-collision system. both occurrences happened while on cruise control, traveling at 55 mph in one case and 60 mph in the othe…”
2016-11-09 · Power Train · 16,000 mi“while the vehicle is coasting at a steady speed on a straight road (~30-40 mph), a slight roaring noise can be heard from the engine bay while sitting in the passenger compartment. the dealer, northside toyota of chicago, inspected this vehicle on friday, november 4, 2016, and determined that the transmission is failing and will need to be complete…”
2016-09-16 · Electrical System“tl* the contact owns a 2014 toyota avalon hybrid. the contact stated that the center console, where the cup holders were located, would become hot when the heat was activated and cold when the air conditioner was activated. the failure occurred when the vehicle was driven for an extended period of time. the vehicle was taken to several dealers for …”
2016-07-27 · Forward Collision Avoidance · 29,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2014 toyota avalon hybrid. the contact received notification for nhtsa campaign number: 15v728000 (forward collision avoidance). the dealer was unable to provide the remedy and parts. the system was disconnected as an interim solution months ago. the contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. the manu…”
2016-07-01 · Wheels · 30,579 mi“bridgestone turanza el400 p215/55r17 tires showing excessive wear. mileage on car 30,579. these are original manufacturers equipment. because of tread wire exposure, car deemed to dangerous to drive.…”
2016-06-20 · Forward Collision Avoidance“tl* the contact owns a 2014 toyota avalon hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v728000 (forward collision avoidance); 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 made aware of the issue. …”
2016-04-19 · Unknown Or Other“nhtsa recall 15v728 involving pre-collision system. over 6 months have passed since i received notice of this recall. to date nothing has been done to correct the problem other than telling me to turn off the pre-collision system. both leaving it on or turning it off lessen the safety of the vehicle.…”
2016-03-01 · Vehicle Speed Control · 45,640 mi“i was driving without the cruise control on a paved road and the pre-collision system (pcs) suddenly sounded the alarm and slammed on the engine braking causing the car to instantly decelerate. i was thrown forward and the seat belt shoulder strap locked. all the items on my front passenger seat were thrown to the floor. there were no vehicles i…”
2015-11-24 · Engine · 16,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owned a 2014 toyota avalon hybrid. while driving approximately 70 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and smoke appeared from under the hood. the contact noticed that the front of the vehicle caught fire. the fire was extinguished by the fire department. a police report was filed. the vehicle was destroyed. the manuf…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.