VehicleVerdict

2014 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2014 Toyota Avalon sits mid-pack among Avalon years: 123 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 122, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (22), driver assistance (19), and visibility & wipers (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

123

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 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, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other2218%
Driver Assistance1915%
Visibility & Wipers1311%
Body & Structure1210%
Electrical System1210%
Airbags76%
Brakes76%
Fuel System76%
Steering65%
Seats54%
Speed Control54%
Seat Belts22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Engine22%
Lighting11%
Transmission11%

Does the 2014 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

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

20V024000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 2,891,976 units

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.

Consequence

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 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

15V728000Driver AssistanceNovember 3, 2015 · 30,812 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.

Consequence

A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.

14V715000SuspensionNovember 7, 2014 · 5,650 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Camry, Camry HV, Avalon, and Avalon HV vehicles equipped with 16-inch and 17-inch rims. In the affected vehicles, the left-side front suspension lower arm may have been incorrectly manufactured. As a result, the left side lower arm may not have enough clamping surface area for one of the bolts that secures the lower arm to the lower ball joint.

Consequence

Because of the insufficient clamping force, the lower arm may separate from the ball joint, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left side lower arm, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

14V576000Fuel SystemSeptember 19, 2014 · 15,872 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DASH CHROME TRIM. ON EVERY SUNNY DAY THE BRIGHT WORK ON THE DASH REFLECT THE SUNLIGHT IN TO YOUR EYES.THIS TEMPORARILY BLINDS YOU. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. SO I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I HAVE READ ON THE 2016 MODELS THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 27, 2016

“CAR WENT INTO PANIC STOP (INCL TIGHTENING SAFETY BELTS) AT 50 MPH WITH NOTHING IN FRONT OF IT..SEE- EQ- 10724000...-....UPDATED 07/23/15 *BF THE POST COLLISION SYSTEM (WITH AUTO-BRAKE) ACTIVATED (INCLUDING THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENING) WITH A CLEAR ROAD AHEAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR DISASTER IF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · June 2, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 3, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER CONSOLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER TESTED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2014 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE RUBBER PEDAL COVER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A 2004 TOYOTA. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED .THERE WERE NO REPORTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 1, 2019 · crash

2014 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2014 Toyota Avalon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Avalon: 123 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2014 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (22 complaints), driver assistance (19 complaints), visibility & wipers (13 complaints).

Does the 2014 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Toyota Avalon under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.

How safe is the 2014 Toyota Avalon?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Toyota Avalon earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.