Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 50% | 4,000 miles |
| 2019 | 21 | 30% | 6,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 13% | 36,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 7% | 2,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 7% | 39,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 7% | 1,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 3% | 14,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% | 124,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% | 18,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 10 | 3% | 73,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% | 7,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% | 8,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% | 64,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% | 214,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% | 76,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 1998 | 5 | 3% | 84,000 miles |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% | 170,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | 215,000 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This has happened 3 times now. When putting gas in and the pump kicks off fuel gushes out of the tank. I only had a quarter of a tank at the time. Only got $1 worth in the last time this happened. If you try to put more fuel in pump will kick off then it just pushes fuel out all over the ground, which could easily cause a fire. Took to the dealer today to get this on record, had a full tank so they did not not try to gas it up. Get no warning that this is going to happen. On all 3 occasions I was able to gas up without an issue the next day.
When refueling vehicle, gasoline backs up immediately, doesn't shut off gas hose and pours out all over vehicle and feet of person refueling. Today is the 4th time it's happened. It's been to Gettle Toyota of Lakewood in Bradenton FL for this exact complaint and was told there's nothing wrong with the vehicle.
On the morning of Sept. 28, 2022, after my wife arrived home from work the previous night, and as I walked past her car, I heard the fuel pump running. The engine was not running, all switches were off and the doors were locked. I retrieved the key fob for the car, unlocked the doors, and entered the car. Upon pushing the start button, the fuel pump shut off, then the engine started. I let it run for one minute then shut the engine off. At this time the fuel pump shut off as well. To my knowledge the fuel pump has not continued to run, after the engine was shut off, since then. There have been 2 NHTSA Campaigns recalling the fuel pumps on these vehicles, # 20V01200 and # 20V68200. When I contacted the dealership where she purchased the Avalon in January 2022 the service adviser stated the fuel pump in her car was replaced Nov. 13, 2020. …
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. …
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.
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. …
I have 95000 miles on my Toyota Avalon limited hybrid. While driving down the road it just quit - dead stop (very dangerous) and, had it not been a hybrid, I would not have been able to get it off of the interstate. Turns out that the fuel pump stopped working with no warning. My last Avalon went almost 300,000 miles on the same fuel pump. The pump, in my opinion, is faulty but out of warranty. Toyota is charging over $1,000 to fix it. I tried to get Toyota management contact information (district mgr.) from the dealership but they would not supply it in order for me to draw attention to Toyota of the premature failure of a key component of the car. I called Toyota headquarters, got the same response and felt like they could care less that there May be a deficiency in their components. This is a serious safety issue. …
Related recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Avalon years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (21), 2006 (10), 2003 (7), 2007 (7) and 2014 (7) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 30% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Toyota Avalon fuel system problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 20V-682 (fuel pump, Nov 4, 2020); 20V-012 (fuel pump, Jan 13, 2020); 14V-576 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Sep 19, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Avalon fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles; 71% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the fuel injection system › injectors (5 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly (4).
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.