VehicleVerdict

2008 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 417 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Avalon year — the 2008 model ranks #2 of 28 Avalon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: lighting issues account for 51% of all reports (214 of 417), far ahead of electrical system at 45.

417

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Avalon years?

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting21451%
Speed Control4511%
Electrical System4511%
Body & Structure225%
Other195%
Steering174%
Transmission133%
Visibility & Wipers123%
Airbags82%
Brakes72%
Engine51%
Seats31%
Fuel System31%
Tires & Wheels20%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V396000SeatsJune 2, 2016 · 7,749 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

14V743000SeatsNovember 19, 2014 · 3,233 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

10V035000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 271,417 units

Defect

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

10V017000Speed ControlJanuary 21, 2010 · 2,230,661 units

Defect

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. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.

Consequence

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

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. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ILLUMINATED, WE HEARD WHAT SEEMED LIKE A FIREWORK OR SMALL ARMS FIRE. MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 13, 2011 · fire

I OWNED A 2008 AVOLAN. IT CAUGHT FIRE DEC. 7 2009 AND BURNED UP. I THOUGHT I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS TO SOMEONE. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE, AND THE RESULT COULD BE DEATH. I GOT HURT BAD BUT I AM BETTER NOW.*CW

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 7, 2009 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER; HOWEVER, IT PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 15, 2008 · crash

OUR 2008 TOYOTA AVALON WAS RAMMED FROM THE REAR WITH FULL FORCE FROM A HONDA CRV GOING 40 MPH. THE AVALON WAS SLOWING DOWN TO ALLOW A GROUNDHOG TO CROSS ON A STRAIGHT 2 LANE ROAD AT THE TIME, BUT THE DRIVER OF THE HONDA BEHIND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A DISTRACTED DRIVER BECAUSE SHE DID NOT STOP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 14, 2017 · crash

2008 TOYOTA AVALON WAS RECALLED TO REPLACE A GAS PEDAL. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR THE SAID REPAIR. IT TOOK 4 HOURS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE AND WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF A RESIDENTIAL CARPORT WHEN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR DID ABOUT 3 LOOPS AROUND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 25, 2010 · crash

2008 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2008 Toyota Avalon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 417 complaints put the 2008 model at #2 of 28 Avalon years. It is one of the Avalon years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (214 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints), speed control (45 complaints).

Does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Avalon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalon years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2003, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1998, 2013. The cleanest record among Avalon years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.