2017 Toyota Avalon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (5) · Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Air Bags (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Avalon model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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.
Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire 2017-05-02 · campaign 17V295000 · 409 vehicles
Defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
Service bulletins (221)
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 2025-08-20 · T-TT-0790-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using bluetooth hands free. this is caused by the phone hands free volume being too low.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 221 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-12-12 · Structure:body“the torsion springs for the rear trunk are very weak. they have been that way since car was new. i have had multiple occasions where i opened the trunk and had it come down and hit me on the head. this has also happened to my wife.…”
2022-10-24 · Vehicle Speed Control“leaving a parking lot, the car jumped out of gear. thought maybe i had bumped the gear selector but attempts at putting the car in gear resulted in grinding noises and the only option was to put it in park. check engine light came on. mechanic diagnosed a speed sensor. had this happened on the freeway or while trying to pass another car on a two…”
2020-05-04 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2017 toyota avalon. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v024000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. an unnamed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was no…”
2020-01-24 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2017 toyota avalon. the contact received an email confirmation of nhtsa campaign number: 20v024000 (air bags). the nhtsa hotline was contacted and an inquiry was made in regard to the status of the recall. the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. vin tool conf…”
2019-07-20 · Engine · 17,515 mi“toyota's failure to install an auto-stop caused the carbon-monoxide poisoning of two (more) people, many dozens of such deaths reported. (detail: they had likely stopped the engine, but the wireless fob can re-start; and this model has an auto stop/start function that can also lead to death.] note: not my car, my parents.…”
2019-06-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 2,100 mi · 💥 crash“i was pulling out of a church parking spot very slowly. once out of the spot i stopped and then all of a sudden the car accelerated as if it shifted into curse control. we traveled approximately 15 feet before hitting a tree. it all happened so suddenly that there was nothing i could do.…”
2019-06-14 · Engine · 17,515 mi“toyota's failure to install an engine auto stop caused the carbon monoxide death of two people. failure to have proper outside warnings like a honk to warn the operator not to remove the key from the car led to this death.…”
2019-06-14 · Engine · 17,515 mi“toyota's failure to install an engine auto stop caused the carbon monoxide death of two people. failure to have proper outside warnings like a honk to warn the operator not to remove the key from the car led to these deaths. vehicle was stationary in a garage. people were inside the home. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.…”
2019-06-14 · Engine · 17,515 mi“toyota's failure to install an engine auto stop caused the carbon monoxide death of two people. car was stationary. failure to have proper outside warnings like a honk to warn the operator not to remove the key from the car led to this death.…”
2019-06-14 · Engine“toyota avalon fails to have an ignition auto shut off which led to death of two individuals. this design flaw did not prevent the car from idling indefinitely and filling the house with carbon monoxide' a toxic fatal gas. the car does not have proper external warnings like a honk to advise a driver they may have removed the key from the car.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.