The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota Avalon · 2018

2018 Toyota Avalon. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index59100 = average car
Complaints20NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold33,580U.S. model year
Per 100K sold60complaints
Year rank#6 of 19#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AV-S6)FWD40 / 39 / 40Regular$1,550
3.5L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD21 / 30 / 24Regular$2,600

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,000 and 34,800 miles. Median 11,000, from 15 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags20%
Steering20%
Brakes10%
Fuel or ev drive system10%
Automatic emergency braking10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2570405

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 20V024000 Jan 2020 Air Bags / Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

    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. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1

  • 20V012000 Jan 2020 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. 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 January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014

    Risk. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedElectrical overstress20192024

Manufacturer communications 178

Toyota filed 178 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Some customers may encounter Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: ?
  • Some customers may encounter Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota Avalon 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Avalon Hybrid 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2015422660,063Brakes
2016311648,080Engine
2017301232,583Engine
2018592033,580Airbags
20191534627,767Fuel or ev drive system

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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