Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 14% | 15,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% | 5,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% | 11,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 21% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 9% | 114,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 12% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% | 4,000 miles |
| 2013 | 22 | 16% | 45,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% | 19,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 10% | 15,000 miles |
| 2010 | 13 | 28% | 5,000 miles |
| 2009 | 18 | 20% | 16,000 miles |
| 2008 | 45 | 13% | 24,000 miles |
| 2007 | 85 | 35% | 35,000 miles |
| 2006 | 103 | 29% | 39,000 miles |
| 2005 | 72 | 32% | 48,000 miles |
| 2004 | 25 | 12% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 51 | 17% | 58,000 miles |
| 2002 | 25 | 22% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 24 | 18% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 20 | 12% | 64,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 22% | 43,000 miles |
| 1998 | 16 | 9% | 90,000 miles |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% | 87,000 miles |
| 1996 | 10 | 9% | 188,000 miles |
| 1995 | 5 | 6% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was submitted. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
Cruise control stopped working while driving interstate speed. Would not work and all lights on dashboard came on . Proceeded to Nearest dealership and was informed that I needed a brake switch. Did not fix the problem. Have been informed that I need a wiring harness! About to spend a total of 400.00
This incident has happened twice in three years. Hence it is a very rare occurrence. Both times involved the same events. Cruise control was on. I was traveling in the left lane of the interstate highway, approaching an 18-wheel truck which was in the right lane. When I was approximately 50 feet from the rear of the truck, the truck began to enter my lane. I suspect I was in the trucker's blind spot. My car did not sense the truck. The cruise control did not disengage. The brakes did not engage. But the MOST troublesome was that the car did not respond to my pressing on the brake pedal. I had to press 4 or 5 times before the cruise control would disengage and the brakes engage. Since I was traveling approximately 70 mph, the distance between my car and the truck (each time) closed rapidly. In the first instance, the truck tire hit my right front fender. …
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.*
Leaving a parking lot, the car jumped out of gear. Thought maybe I had bumped the gear selector but attempts at putting the car in gear resulted in grinding noises and the only option was to put it in PARK. Check engine light came on. Mechanic diagnosed a speed sensor. Had this happened on the freeway or while trying to pass another car on a two lane and a speed sensor disable the entire car to me is dangerous and should be addressed. Had the check engine light come on, I would have had the sensor replaced right away. I now feel this is an unsafe situation that could arise in other 2017 Toyota cars
I reported noise when I made turns to the left or right. I bought the car into the dealership and advised of the issue. I was told that they would check all components of the car and change the oil and rotate the tires. This was at 19,611 miles. I was told that the power steering sound I heard was electric and that it was fine. I returned to the dealership on 3/10/18 and the car was checked again at 24,650 miles. The car was reported fine. Then on 4/26/18 I have an accident because of unintended acceleration. The brakes didn't work or any of the computer safety features. I was stopped in a parking lot waiting for another car to back out. The car passed and I tapped the accelerator to pull into the space. The engine started making accelerating noises and the brakes wouldn't work. I ran over the yellow concrete block and out of the parking lot into the vacant lot next door. …
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.
On feb. 5, 2020 at about 6:30 am, my wife was pulling up behind cars stopped at a red light, as she applied the brakes to stop, the car suddenly accelerated, she pressed the brakes as hard as she could, the car continued to drive forward hitting the car ahead of her in line. She could hear the car engine racing and tried to put the car in park, but it went into reverse and rapidly moved backwards, even with her foot on the brake, hit the car behind her. She than once again tried to up the car in park, but put it back in drive and the our car accelerated forward again fill speed hitting the car ahead for a second time, all the time holding her foot down as hard as she could on the brake. After hitting the car ahead for the second time, she pushed the engine stop button and the engine stopped running at full RPM. …
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. GM will notify owners for the Pontiac vibe please see 10v-018.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on November 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Avalon years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (103), 2007 (85), 2005 (72), 2003 (51) and 2008 (45) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Toyota Avalon acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 10V-017 (accelerator pedal, Jan 21, 2010); 09V-388 (accelerator pedal, Oct 5, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Avalon acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles; 61% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (70 mentions), followed by the cruise control (14).
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.