Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Toyota Avalon problems
Owners filed 54 complaints about the 2015 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between Jul 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (15).
Complaints
54
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes15
- Forward collision avoidance10
- Air bags8
- Electrical system7
- Vehicle speed control7
- Engine4
- Tires3
- Structure3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Power train2
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Lane departure1
- Steering1
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
4
14
5
3
6
5
6
1
4
0
3
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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
Service brakes
15 reports3 crashes
“While driving the pre-collision system (PCS) turns on unexpectedly, without any warning lights or sounds, and applies the brakes. This happens when I am driving in traffic with plenty of space between the car in front of me. I typically drive between 3-6 seconds behind the car in front of me to allow for at least 300 feet in space when driving at highway speeds. Despite leaving plenty of room for cars in front of me, on multiple occasions the car has started braking abruptly while going anywhere between 50, 40, 30, or 20 miles per hour. This can be verified for inspection upon request. Despite there being a recall for my specific year, make, and model car (2015 Toyota Avalon) for this exact issue my VIN number is not covered. Toyota is requiring me to pay out of pocket for them to 1) determine if its malfunctioning and 2) replace the system, which is a huge conflict of interest. Even though the Driver's Manual says that I can disable the PCS by clicking on the PCS on/off button within the driver's glovebox, there is no such button, only a blank button cover. Not having the ability to disable the PCS system, or worse, allowing it to continue braking while I'm…”
Forward collision avoidance
10 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated, and the brake independently activated. The vehicle was taken to a specialty brake shop, where it was diagnosed that the brake actuator had failed, causing the ABS system to activate independently. The vehicle was repaired. On the drive back to the residence, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with brake master cylinder failure. The brake booster, gasket, and brake actuator were replaced. The contact stated that two weeks later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and DTC: C1441 and C1431 were retrieved, indicating an issue with the ABS system lateral acceleration sensor circuit or the brake booster. The dealer became aware that the front bumper bracket had paint on the part that did not allow for the vehicle to brake correctly. The brake pedal support assembly with sensor was replaced, and the paint was removed. The vehicle was repaired.…”
Air bags
8 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.”
Electrical system
7 reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, the contact noticed that the title listed the mileage at 133,510, with the note " Not the Actual Mileage" next to the mileage. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 133,510, and it was later discovered that the Carfax report listed the mileage at 251,617. The Carfax report also displayed that the vehicle was sold at an auto auction on 11/25/2025. Additionally, the contact stated that while his daughter was driving the vehicle on the same day of purchase, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and the traction control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shifting significantly hard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.”
Vehicle speed control
7 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, drove over the curb, and crashed into bushes. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. There was no police report filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where she informed that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,400.”
Engine
4 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HYBRID ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE SWITCHED FROM ELECTRIC TO GASOLINE OPERATION WHICH CAUSE A FASTER ACCELERATION AND JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FITZGERALD TOYOTA GAITHERSBURG (907 N FREDERICK AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD 20879) WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURE WITH VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A THIRD-PARTY INVESTIGATOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND IDENTIFIED THE ACCELERATION AND JERKING IN THE VEHICLE WHEN SWITCHING TO ENGINE FROM ELECTRIC TO GASOLINE HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,696.”
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.