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Research · Large Cars

2010 Toyota AvalonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 46 owner complaints for the 2010 Toyota Avalon. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (13) and steering (10). The EPA rates it 23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
46
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Air bagsReported Jan 16, 2013NHTSA 13V014000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

46 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2009 – Jul 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control13
  2. Steering10
  3. Exterior lighting4
  4. Visibility/wiper3
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Air bags2
  7. Power train2
  8. Structure1
  9. Suspension1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996113
1997128
1998186
199994
2000183
2001139
2002142
2003305
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013160
201496
201554
201623
201714
201824
201971
202011
202121
20228
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

13 reports2 crashes
“LAST TUESDAY, DEC 6TH, 2016,I STARTED MY TOYOTA AVALON 2010 AND GOT FROM A PARKING TO HIGWAY PR 1, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTED GEAR TO LOWEST SHIFT, STEPPED ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN I DID PUT IT ON PKG AND TURNED IT OFF. IT TOOK LIKE 500 M TO STOP IT. THE FLOOR CARPET IS ONE OF THE KIND THAT KEEP SECURED TO THE CAR FLOOR AND DIDN'T INTERFERRED WITH THE GAS PEDAL. . I BOUGHT IT NEW IN NOV 2009. THE GAS PEDAL NEVER LOOK STUCK BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS BEING FED WITH A LOT OF GAS. THE CAR IS AT A TOYOTA SERVICE SHOP SINCE MORE THAN 48 HOURS BUT I STILL DON'T HAVE A DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS NO COLISSION. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE SHOP AFTER REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2016Vehicle speed controlODI 10933905

Steering

10 reports
“THE LATCH ON THE LOWER LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT CONTROLS THE POSITIONING OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY COMES LOOSE. I DISCOVERED THAT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING STRAIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY SLID IN AND DOWN. ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. UPON CHECKING WITH A AVALON FAN GROUP, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A ISSUE WITH ALMOST EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO OWNS THIS BODY STYLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2020SteeringODI 11330837

Exterior lighting

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE NOTICED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT UNDER THE REAR WINDOW FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1704300738. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2018Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11091530
All 2010 Avalon problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (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 Nov 8, 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
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192823$2,700386
  • Avalon
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Toyota Avalon as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5776
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

2010 Avalon questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Avalon have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 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 2010 Toyota Avalon problems?

Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (13), steering (10), exterior lighting (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Toyota Avalon get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Toyota Avalon at 23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026