Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Toyota Avalon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon my headlights sporadically go out. Mostly on the drivers side. I have replaced the headlight on 3 separate occasions with in the last 3 Years and each time it cost me $185.00 for labor and the headlight. I also got stopped by the POLICE for it! Now in 2023 the right head light goes on and off sporadically since March 2023. Again, I got stopped by the POLICE! Now it's JUNE of 2023 and both lights went out while driving home at night. We took it to a different repair shop and was FINALLY told that this has been a problem for the 2009 Toyota Avalon for a while as it was a manufacturing DEFECT. A head light ballast I think. Why should I pay to fix this as well as tickets from the POLICE for a manufacturing ERROR!!! Now I have to pay for 2 Ballasts and 2 headlights????.
January 14th 2015 while driving during the night, all of the headlights except for low beams quit working. This caused a dangerous condition while driving in the country on unlit roads because of requiring to drive substantially below the speed limit. These headlights had been replaced because one of them burned out on dec 7, 2011 when the car had 38,640 miles on it. We were told the original bulbs were defective and the new bulbs would resolve the issue. After the work was completed we found out that there was a recall and we eventually were reimbursed. When these bulbs burned out we were told by two dealers (sebring, fl and cleveland, tn) that the real problem was the modules and that they would need replaced at a cost of well over $2,000. Total time for replacements lasted 3 years 1 month and ~62,000 miles. 3 sets of headlights required in slightly over 5 1/2 years of ownership. …
The high beams on our 2009 Toyota Avalon suddenly ceased to function last weekend. I took the car in to the dealership this morning and was told that this is a known defect in the housings requiring the replacement thereof but that this replacement is only covered for 5 years or 72,000 miles under the "enhanced" warranty. We bought the car new 5 1/2 years ago. The cost for fixing this defect was quoted at $2,626 and neither the dealer nor Toyota corp. Were willing to absorb any of this cost to make it even reasonably affordable. Non-working high beams could be potentially dangerous. This malfunction is not due to normal wear and tear but rather is a known defect. It should not be covered under a limited warranty but should be a required recall so that people unable to afford the exorbitant repair cost are not put in jeopardy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. While driving, both the driver and passenger side headlights suddenly shut off. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that both light bulbs had shattered inside the head lamp housing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to a defective head lamp housing. The bulbs were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 06/13/17 consumer stated further discussion with the dealer ( andrew Toyota) confirms that Toyota has changed the headlight housing design that accomodates a different high beam bulb that will not shatter. Dealer refuses to replace the housing. Updated 9/27/18
Turned on engine and turned on high beams. Bulbs shattered. Took to the bobby rahal dealer. Told that the extended warranty of five years had lapsed. Was under the 72000 mileage limit, however.. Had to pay $166 to just replace the bulbs. To replace the entire housing would cost $900. This is a factory design defect and the warranty was extended to take care of the problem with the installation of a redesigned housing. If the design was faulty from the onset, why aren't all headlight assemblies being replaced at no cost to the owner? The internet contains hundreds of similar complaints. There have been no reported fatalities so I guess this expensive repair is the owner's responsibility....
No high beam headlights just low beam. Hard to see. We got this used car 1 1/2 yrs ago without highbeams. Toyota wants to chg me 500$ to fix the problem and I have the extended warranty for and extra 2000$. I found a letter to the previous owner that these headlamps May have a short life and they will be replaced with new assembly and new bulb. I called Toyota customer service and got only aggravation. No satisfaction on helping me to replace this expensive bulb problem which occurred. I think Toyota should have rectified this before selling it to us. It is their problem to replace this assembly and new bulbs not mine. They sold us a malfunctioning headlamp unit.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. While driving 45 MPH in the dark, the headlights and the instrument panel lighting turned off. As a result, the contact was unable to view the road and instrument panel gauges. The contact had to flip the headlight switch on and off a few times in order for the lighting to be restored. The vehicle was taken to hesser Toyota (located at 1811 humes rd, janesville, wi 53545, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 1809132009. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
While driving during dark hours , the headlights go off or just driver side headlight go off at some time .I have to turn it off and back on by switch attach to sterling . They work back on for some time and then go off again.it does happend every day to me on city street and highway. It's scary and unsafe . Its high risk safety issue while driving at dark time hours. Please make Toyota corp. Fix this issue . They know about that problem, deffect for so long.
The headlights go out when operating the car without warning. This happens when driving on residential, highways and interstate roads. Cannot drive the car at night for fear that they will go out when I am driving. Dealer wanted $2,900 to replace the headlights. This is a safety issue which the manufacturer should address and be responsible for. The limited TSB which they issued would not have helped me. Was not covered under extended warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the high beam headlights failed to operate and caused the low beams to malfunction. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Headlight complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2009 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the lights of the 2009 Toyota Avalon, 27% of the model year's 91 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Avalon headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2009 Toyota Avalon, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Avalon headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.