Most common 2018 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Avalon complaints by model year
Best Avalon years: 2017, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998. Compare all years →
2018 Toyota Avalon recalls (2)
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2018 Toyota Avalon:
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2018 Toyota Avalon owners say
Air bags
Involved in a 2 vehicle accident on October 26th. My car is totaled and so is the other car. No airbags deployed and my drivers side seat belt failed to lock in the accident. I was injured and taken by ambulance to hospital.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V024000 (air bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH when another cut in front of them and in order to avoid hitting the other vehicle the contact veered to the left, the contact ended up crashing into a side barrier on the side of the road. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to his left arm, leg and chest/torso area medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed. The contact contacted the unknown dealership who diagnosed that the left side of the vehicle, steering, and braking needed to be repaired. …
Steering
At approximately 42000 miles with no significant issues and no front end damages, the steering failed as I was driving at highway speed (70 mph) on a 2 lane road approaching a 90 degree curve. The power steering warning light and a separate triangle warning light appeared at the same time as I felt a pop and lost power and response in the steering wheel. Thankfully, I have driven heavy power equipment in the past and was able to control the vehicle to the shoulder and there was no surrounding traffic. I was able to proceed to my residence at a slow speed on the road shoulder with no power steering and an almost unresponsive steering wheel. After being towed to the local dealer, it was determined the torque sensor failed and the entire steering column required replacement. I had no warning of this impending failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V024000 (air bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH when another cut in front of them and in order to avoid hitting the other vehicle the contact veered to the left, the contact ended up crashing into a side barrier on the side of the road. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to his left arm, leg and chest/torso area medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed. The contact contacted the unknown dealership who diagnosed that the left side of the vehicle, steering, and braking needed to be repaired. …
Fuel & propulsion system
Intermittently, unpredictably, for several seconds at a time, the engine almost quits, especially when accelerating So far, it has not happened in heavy traffic, but if it did, it would create a possibly major safety hazard. I have not taken it to a dealer yet. Just learned about the fuel pump problem that is associated with my 2018 Toyota Avalon. Plan to contact the dealer tomorrow. I have not seen any instrumental warning or notification. There is no warning that the engine is about to lose power and so far the engine has not stopped, but recovers to normal operation.. This has been occurring over the last couple of months. I fear for my wife's safety so that she will be unable to drive this 2018 Toyota Avalon 3.5L sedan until it is repaired.
I own a 2018 Toyota Avalon that is subject to recall for a potentially defective fuel pump. I took the car in 8/3/2020 to fix the problem. I was advised the dealer did not have the correct fuel pump in parts and that it will be late sept. Or oct. Before they have the correct fuel pump. In the interim, I have a vehicle with a potential safety issue.
2018 Toyota Avalon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 40 / 39 / 40 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 30 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Toyota Avalon a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Avalon rates better than average: 70% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Avalon at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Toyota Avalon?
The air bags — 6 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (4) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Avalon have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2018 Toyota Avalon, the most recent from January 17, 2020 (air bag/restraint control module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Avalon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 1998. See the full Toyota Avalon years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Toyota Avalon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 11,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.