Research · Midsize Cars

2018 Toyota Avalon HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
1
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V024000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2021 – Dec 2021
  1. Electrical system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Avalon Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013135
2014113
201550
201624
201714
20181
20191
20216
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. The contact stated that the navigation system, the radio, and the upper third brake light was not functioning properly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the EMU in the computer on the air bag that was malfunctioning to be replaced. The dealer replaced the radio but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2021Electrical systemODI 11442884
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Avalon Hybrid
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
403940$1,600223
  • Avalon Hybrid
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    40 city · 39 hwy · $1,600/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota Avalon Hybrid 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 12322
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 Avalon Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026