Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 5% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% | 1,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% | 44,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 9% | 114,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 5% | 252,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% | 88,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% | 15,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% | 10,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% | 59,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% | 43,000 miles |
| 2006 | 52 | 14% | 20,000 miles |
| 2005 | 33 | 14% | 21,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% | 87,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% | 118,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 7% | — |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% | 113,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 1998 | 11 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% | 100,000 miles |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission. Yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The UA80 eight-speed automatic transmission used in my Toyota is defective. There is a design flaw that causes excess heat inside the transmission to burn transmission fluid resulting in premature transmission failure as well as stalling and other dangerous situations. I also noticed significant noise from the vehicle's transmission assembly. In addition, the engine RPM jumps high while the car struggles to accelerate or temporarily loses power. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. …
Car started having transmission problems with a delayed engagement or slippage when shifting into first gear. This usually happened once or twice a week after the car had been parked. It then began to occur more frequently. Took car back to dealer northtown Toyota amherst, ny and they changed the fluid and updated software. Car ran OK for 2 wks, then started slipping again a few times per week with a delay when shifting into first gear. This happens after the car was parked. Took car into continental transmission 909 hertle ave, buffalo ny where they did a diagnostic and pulled the transmission out and found that the utility pump had failed and there was some damage to the gears and other parts. Options were a rebuild ($3800usd) or replacement new transmission ($6200usd). Currently having the transmission rebuilt. …
In 2016 of August I filed a complaint with Toyota (case#1611260024112616) in reference to a torque coverter issue that has plaqued 2012 camrys , at this point I took car into dealer many ocassions , but they refuse to admit it their fault, a 2300 dollar problem .
I have an 08 Avalon xls and was driving and out of no where it started to shudder and it happened as I was bending a curve. I almost ran off the road. No indicators came on my dash! Because I am mechanically inclined I do know a little about vehicles! So I pulled to inspect the bottom of the transmission pan was wet! And due to the seal transmission there was no way for me to check the fluid! I believe the shudder could be from the torque converter or transmission! I took the vehicle to a friend shop and was told how to add the transmission fluid! And end up putting in a whole court of transmission fluid in before it started to show coming out where it's supposed to be checked! By not being able to check the transmission fluid and with the shudder like it did it could have caused an accident! …
Driver was pulling into a parking space when the car had unexpected, sudden acceleration and hit a concrete wall. Driver was wearing a seat belt; air bags deployed. The person was uninjured except for chest bruises. The car had been taken in when it was recalled and was " fixed" in response to 2 recall notices by the dealer on March 4, 2010. The front of the car is bashed in, hood is bent upward, radiator damaged and the front doors jammed. Men had to force the driver side door open to get the driver from the car. Toyota and the insurance company have been notified but neither have had time to examine the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a tree. The failure occurred numerous times. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained severe injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The failure mileage was 168,000. Updated 04/05/17 the consumer stated car crashed into a tree and a police report was filed. Updated 7/5/18
I was parking my car in reverse at a speed of less than 5 miles in a designated spot adjacent to my daughter's house in quebec, Canada. The engine accelerated and hit a wooden fence behind my car. I applied the brake and put it into drive to go forward and to get out of the car to see what happened. Then, the car sped at about 100 miles an hour and crashed into a metal fence of a kindergarten school across the street and hit a tree inside the kindergarten. Then again, the vehicle crashed into the brick wall of my daughter's house in reverse. A 2x2 concrete block from the brick wall that my car encountered hit my rear windshield and landed inches away from my head inside my car. I called 911 and police showed up and they towed the car and I realized it was 9:41 pm as confirmed by the time on my cellphone and luckily no children were there to get killed.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Avalon years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (52), 2005 (33), 2007 (23), 2008 (13) and 1998 (11) model years. Transmission complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Toyota Avalon transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Toyota Avalon model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Avalon transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles; 63% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (94 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (11).
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.