VehicleVerdict

2011 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Toyota Avalon sits mid-pack among Avalon years: 130 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 121, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 33 reports (25% of the total).

130

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted449 complaints1995: 92 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 155 complaints1998: 205 complaints1999: 113 complaints2000: 220 complaints2001: 168 complaints2002: 148 complaints2003: 353 complaints2004: 252 complaints2005: 303 complaints2006: 449 complaints2007: 311 complaints2008: 417 complaints2009: 110 complaints2010: 51 complaints2011: 130 complaints2012: 35 complaints2013: 187 complaints2014: 123 complaints2015: 63 complaints2016: 33 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 31 complaints2019: 92 complaints2020: 13 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 13 complaints
Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering3325%
Electrical System2519%
Visibility & Wipers1411%
Speed Control118%
Other108%
Brakes86%
Body & Structure65%
Engine54%
Latches & Locks43%
Seats32%
Seat Belts22%
Fuel System22%
Lighting22%
Airbags22%
Transmission22%
Suspension11%

Does the 2011 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V047000Electrical SystemJanuary 28, 2015 · 51,495 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles manufactured February 9, 2010, to October 22, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the sub-woofer speaker located in the trunk may experience an intermittent electrical short which may cause damage to the integrated circuit (IC) in the audio amplifier. In some cases, the damaged IC may allow a constant electrical current flow to the sub-woofer.

Consequence

A constant electrical current flow may cause the sub-woofer to overheat, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the audio system amplifier and install a protective cover around the sub-woofer, free of charge. The recall began on July 1,2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE CONTACT DROVE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 15, 2012

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REAR DOOR WAS OPENED, THE CHIME DID NOT INDICATE THAT DOOR WAS OPEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE; THE VEHICLE DOOR CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 15, 2010 · crash

“I RAISED MY REAR SUNSHADE AND COULDN'T LOWER IT. IT WAS DURING THE DAY RUNNING ERRANDS AND VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. I CHOSE NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR LATE EVENINGS AND NIGHT BECAUSE OF SAFETY AND VISIBILITY .I NEED MY CAR 24/7, I PAID FOR THE SHADE TO BE LOWERED BUT IT'S INOPERABLE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 8, 2020

“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FROM PARKING SPOT TO FRONT OF RESTAURANT TO PICK UP PASSENGER, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VERY FAST WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. BOTH FEET WERE APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT HIT CEMENT PILLAR CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, TOTALING THE CAR AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 4, 2017 · crash

“THIS TOYOTA WAS IN A SIX (6) CAR TRAFFIC CRASH LIST THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THIS CAR WAS NUMBER 5. CARS WERE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT. THIS CAR HAD FRONT END AND REAR END DAMAGE. THIS CAR MAYBE TOTAL. ONE BODY SHOP PERSON SAID IT WAS TOTALED. AIR BAG IN SIX CAR DID GO OFF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 15, 2016 · crash

2011 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2011 Toyota Avalon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Avalon: 130 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (33 complaints), electrical system (25 complaints), visibility & wipers (14 complaints).

Does the 2011 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2011 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.