VehicleVerdict

2015 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2015 Toyota Avalon sits mid-pack among Avalon years: 63 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 121, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (10), driver assistance (10), and airbags (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

63

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1016%
Driver Assistance1016%
Other711%
Airbags711%
Electrical System610%
Speed Control58%
Tires & Wheels58%
Fuel System35%
Body & Structure35%
Engine23%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Seat Belts12%
Seats12%
Steering12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2015 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 14, 2015

“I WAS HEADING DOWN SNOW GEESE SOUTH IN DUCK N.C. TO TURN LEFT ONTO WOOD DUCK DRIVE. AS I APPROACHED THE TURN, MY BRAKES FAILED AND I WENT INTO THE PARKING AREA OF 1324 DUCK ROAD. I COULD HIT A PARKED TRUCK OR HOUSE. I HIT THE TRUCK. THE AIRBAGS DIDNT DEPLOY. NONE OF THEM. IT WAS A HEAD ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 29, 2019 · crash

“I WAS HEADING DOWN SNOW GEESE SOUTH IN DUCK N.C. TO TURN LEFT ONTO WOOD DUCK DRIVE. AS I APPROACHED THE TURN, MY BRAKES FAILED AND I WENT INTO THE PARKING AREA OF 1324 DUCK ROAD. I COULD HIT A PARKED TRUCK OR HOUSE. I HIT THE TRUCK. THE AIRBAGS DIDNT DEPLOY. NONE OF THEM. IT WAS A HEAD ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 29, 2019 · crash

“I WAS HEADING DOWN SNOW GEESE SOUTH IN DUCK N.C. TO TURN LEFT ONTO WOOD DUCK DRIVE. AS I APPROACHED THE TURN, MY BRAKES FAILED AND I WENT INTO THE PARKING AREA OF 1324 DUCK ROAD. I COULD HIT A PARKED TRUCK OR HOUSE. I HIT THE TRUCK. THE AIRBAGS DIDNT DEPLOY. NONE OF THEM. IT WAS A HEAD ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 29, 2019 · crash

“2015 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION AND DECK LID ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD START WITH NO OCCUPANT ASSISTANCE AND THE REAR DECK LID WOULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE'S STARTER WAS ROUGH, HESITATED, SHUTTERED, OR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 7, 2016

2015 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2015 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 63 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Avalon year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2015 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), driver assistance (10 complaints), airbags (7 complaints).

Does the 2015 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 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 2015 Toyota Avalon?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 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.