VehicleVerdict

2017 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2017 Toyota Avalon — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 10 deaths and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

10

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine635%
Speed Control318%
Electrical System212%
Airbags212%
Body & Structure16%
Brakes16%
Fuel System16%
Other16%

Does the 2017 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.

17V295000Tires & WheelsMay 2, 2017 · 409 units

Defect

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Consequence

A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TOYOTA AVALON FAILS TO HAVE AN IGNITION AUTO SHUT OFF WHICH LED TO DEATH OF TWO INDIVIDUALS. THIS DESIGN FLAW DID NOT PREVENT THE CAR FROM IDLING INDEFINITELY AND FILLING THE HOUSE WITH CARBON MONOXIDE' A TOXIC FATAL GAS. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE PROPER EXTERNAL WARNINGS LIKE A HONK TO ADVISE A DRIVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 7, 2019

“I REPORTED NOISE WHEN I MADE TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I BOUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED OF THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CHECK ALL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR AND CHANGE THE OIL AND ROTATE THE TIRES. THIS WAS AT 19,611 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING SOUND I HEARD WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 26, 2018 · crash

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EMAIL CONFIRMATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE NHTSA HOTLINE WAS CONTACTED AND AN INQUIRY WAS MADE IN REGARD TO THE STATUS OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 24, 2020

“Leaving a parking lot, the car jumped out of gear. Thought maybe I had bumped the gear selector but attempts at putting the car in gear resulted in grinding noises and the only option was to put it in PARK. Check engine light came on. Mechanic diagnosed a speed sensor. Had this happened on the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 15, 2022

“I WAS PULLING OUT OF A CHURCH PARKING SPOT VERY SLOWLY. ONCE OUT OF THE SPOT I STOPPED AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AS IF IT SHIFTED INTO CURSE CONTROL. WE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET BEFORE HITTING A TREE. IT ALL HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 17, 2018 · crash

2017 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2017 Toyota Avalon reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2017 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (6 complaints), speed control (3 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2017 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 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 2017 Toyota Avalon?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.