Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 19% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 43% | 18,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 17% | 20,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 5% | 118,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% | 57,000 miles |
| 2013 | 7 | 5% | 35,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 3% | 37,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% | 115,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2007 | 27 | 11% | 72,000 miles |
| 2006 | 69 | 19% | 63,000 miles |
| 2005 | 31 | 14% | 57,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% | 87,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 4% | 88,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% | 72,000 miles |
| 2001 | 15 | 11% | 54,000 miles |
| 2000 | 22 | 13% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% | 122,000 miles |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% | 87,000 miles |
| 1996 | 21 | 19% | 117,000 miles |
| 1995 | 6 | 8% | 97,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon HV. The contact stated that while driving, all the instrument control panel lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer eight or nine times where it was diagnosed there was moisture in the brakes, the brake assembly, sensor harness, sensor in the grill, gear shifter, and hybrid sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel, warning lights illuminated, and the hybrid system overheated. The pull over somewhere safe message was displayed. The steering wheel was stiff. The brake pedal was stiff and failed to depress. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and drove into a ditch was air borne and cross to the other side of road. The contact was able to drive away from the scene, but the vehicle shutdown and failed to start. …
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while diving approximately 50 MPH, the engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the windshield had detached from the frame. The contact stated that the rear doors were failing to close correctly. The contact stated the vehicle would roll with the brake pedal depressed before coming to a stop. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the steering wheel fractured and the air bags inadvertently deployed. Additionally, the headlamps and turn signals also failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who stated that front door master switch, the pillar and racket, the brakes, the headlamps, and turn signals needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
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.*
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted. Additionally, while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of tri-cities (6321 w canal dr, kennewick, wa 99336, [phone]) but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V012000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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
Toyota's failure to install an engine auto stop caused the carbon monoxide death of two people. Failure to have proper outside warnings like a honk to warn the operator not to remove the key from the car LED to these deaths. Vehicle was stationary in a garage. People were inside the home. Https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=james-livingston&pid=192908732 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=sherry-penney&pid=192908731
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Toyota Avalon. Approximately 30 minutes after parking and turning the engine off, flames were discovered coming from the front driver's side carpet. Approximately 10 minutes later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location and deemed destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 22,000.
Took delivery of vehicle with 3 miles on January 27, 2016. Very next day the vehicle would not start without several attempts. On January 30 the vehicle was stopped in a parking lot while on errands and would not start after attempting for 15 minutes. Dealer service department advises that there is a drain on the battery when there should not be. Vehicle has been with service technicians for the 3rd day and they have yet to identify the root cause. The vehicle has 212 miles and I am fearful that an electrical problem will cause fire and severe safety issues.
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from June 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge.
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Avalon years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (69), 2005 (31), 2007 (27), 2000 (22) and 1996 (21) model years. Engine complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Toyota Avalon engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 11V-539 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 9, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Avalon engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (62 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (23).
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.