Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 Toyota Avalon problems
Owners filed 96 complaints about the 2014 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (18).
Complaints
96
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Forward collision avoidance18
- Structure12
- Electrical system11
- Visibility/wiper9
- Air bags7
- Service brakes6
- Steering6
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Vehicle speed control5
- Seats5
- Visibility4
- Engine2
- Seat belts2
- Equipment2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
12
17
26
7
5
8
6
6
2
4
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Forward collision avoidance
18 reports1 related recall
“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 vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,917.”
Structure
12 reports1 crash
“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.”
Electrical system
11 reports1 fire
“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 that the mileage was 362,712.”
Visibility/wiper
9 reports
“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.”
Air bags
7 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS”
Service brakes
6 reports1 crash
“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 confirmed that the car accelerated with him as well. Front, back, underside, roof, tires and frames were all badly damaged.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.