Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Toyota Avalon problems

Owners filed 71 complaints about the 2019 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between Jan 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (17).

Complaints
71
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system17
  2. Fuel/propulsion system17
  3. Power train11
  4. Forward collision avoidance7
  5. Engine7
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Back over prevention4
  9. Fuel system, gasoline4
  10. Lane departure3
  11. Exterior lighting3
  12. Visibility2
  13. Structure2
  14. Wheels2

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201913
202024
20215
20223
20237
20242
20257
202610

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

17 reports1 related recall
“On XXX I purchase the vehicle TOYOTA AVALON XSE, with VIN #: [XXX]. I purchase the vehicle at LARRY [XXX] AMERICAN TOYOTA in [XXX], with the LIEN [XXX] KIRTLAND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BANK same city of [XXX]. I was told the vehicle had a 160 point check, yet when I check the THUMB DRIVE that was given to me by the business personnel. When I looked at the thumb drive, their were signed documents between myself and the business department of [XXX] American Toyota. I asked several of the salesperson if the car had a COMPREHENSIVE TUNE UP, all the replies were the vehicle had a 160 point check. So, I figured the vehicle had to have some kind of TUNE UP, the 160 point check consists of a WALKAROUND CHECKLIST. I even asked if the vehicle had any RECALLS, the salesperson, the business department, there was nothing, NO RECALLS. Even looking on this website it shows ZERO RECALLS. Well, on XXX the service advisor at [XXX] American Toyota, [XXX] who called the vehicle a " XXX CAR ". Mr. [XXX] gave me SERVICE HISTORY of all the problems the car with previous owners and myself. I took the time at home on July 9, 2026 and notice, there was an OPEN CAMPAIGN RECALL 20TA02,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11751699

Fuel/propulsion system

17 reports2 crashes
“I purchased this Vehicle as a Preowned Used Certified from The Toyota dealership The car has broke down 4 times for the same exact ISSUES All the lights will come on and it will say take to the dealer for Service June 8 2024 purchased the Car. November 2024 in the shop ( sensor ) December 2024 in the shop ( sensor ) NO CHARGE July 8, 2025 car had to stay overnight ( ignition coil $300 ) Service told me the Mechanical Warranty Expired in June. 8 days later July 17, 2025 Broke down on the highway I was stranded for 5 hours had to pay for a partial Tow out of miles. Its been 6 days no CAR. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE and I Think it has a Defective System. I am locked into a Contract with a Vehicle that keeps Breaking down. I have called the Lemon Law and they said my car is too Old for a Claim but not considered NEW By 1 year. I need some Help, I have reached out to Toyota Corporate and I am waiting to see what they plan on doing. I have been STRESSED OUT SINCE MY LAST BREAKDOWN WITH THIS CAR. BY THE WAY I HAVE ONLY PUT 4000 MILES ON IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT. GOING ON A ROAD TRIP IS OUT. I NO LONGER TRUST THIS VEHICLE IT JUST CUTS OFF FOR NO REASON ONCE THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11675492

Power train

11 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission. Yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The UA80 eight-speed automatic transmission used in my Toyota is defective. There is a design flaw that causes excess heat inside the transmission to burn transmission fluid resulting in premature transmission failure as well as stalling and other dangerous situations. I also noticed significant noise from the vehicle’s transmission assembly. In addition, the engine RPM jumps high while the car struggles to accelerate or temporarily loses power. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The check engine light came on a week ago, but no symptoms were exhibited at that time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Power trainODI 11768787

Forward collision avoidance

7 reports1 crash
“On two occasions, 8 months apart, our car started braking on its own while driving in traffic. In both instances, the on-screen alerts indicated the LDA and simultaneously the check engine light. Neither time were we trying to switch lanes. In fact, the first time we were on a one-way street. In both instances, we were able to cruise over to a parking space before the car completely stopped avoiding a rear-end collision. Once we got in the space, we turned the car off and back on but it would not go forward or backward. We sat for 30 minutes or so, started it up and was able to get it home. We took the car to the Toyota dealership the next day. We got a call from the dealership in a few days stating the mechanics drove the car but the issue did not occur so we had to go in to the dealer and sign an authorization to allow access to the car's computer. About a week went by before we received a call stating they were waiting for an engineer to come in and diagnose the problem. Two weeks later, we got another call informing us the engineer would be delayed in getting to the dealership and asked if we wanted to pick up the car. Obviously, driving a car that we no…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2026Service brakes, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11760763

Engine

7 reports
“WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND PROCEEDING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLS. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR HAS DONE THIS (EACH TIME BEING TAKEN TO SERVICE AT TOYOTA). ONE IN PARTICULAR ALMOST BEING HIT BY A TRUCK WHEN GOING FROM A RED LIGHT TO GREEN LIGHT.ANOTHER ONE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HAVING TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO CARS COMING MY DIRECTION IN FEAR OF BEING HIT WHILE TURNING AND CAR STALLING. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN TOO MANY SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. THIS MATTER HAS BEEN TAKEN UP TO CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND REVIEWING HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT FAILED TO REPAIR MY CAR. I HAVE CONTINUED TO TAKE THE CAR TO BE SERVICED AND DIAGNOSTIC COMES UP WITH NO PROBLEMS IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *I ALSO HAVE VIDEOS AND ALL OF MY SERVICE INVOICES REGARDING THE STALLING ISSUE THAT HAS YET TO BE CORRECTED.*”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2020Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11338968

Service brakes

5 reports1 crash
“Ever since, I purchase my certified 2019 Toyota Avalon in around June 2022, my car has left me stranded on highways, city areas, and broke down coming out of my garage. I even purchase extended warranty, because of the high mileage it had 77,000 miles. On [XXX] car broke down Drive Belt had to be replaced, [XXX] [XXX] warning lights, dealership service technician couldn't figured out why engine was slowing down the vehicle, engine repair evac leak for gas cap, [XXX], while driving my car the vehicle, my car immediately stopped, it was towed to dealership of Larry H Miller on Alameda in Albuquerque NM, caused of my car stopping on the road in Albuquerque, the technician stated that he found DTCS for Missfire, switched coil to different cylinder and codes went away/on [XXX], my car was towed, because engine stopped while driving, the dealership saw that it was an electrical problem, bad battery on [XXX] car dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, showing electrical malfunctioning of secondary braking system, the car must be towed to the dealership. I was lucky to get the car into a parking area of gas station. I am [XXX], I need to get home and take my [XXX]. So,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11749408
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.