VehicleVerdict

2018 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2018 Toyota Avalon is among the quieter years of the Avalon on NHTSA's books: 31 complaints (75% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (6), other (5), and steering (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

31

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags619%
Other516%
Steering413%
Fuel System310%
Driver Assistance310%
Speed Control26%
Brakes26%
Tires & Wheels13%
Transmission13%
Electrical System13%
Lighting13%
Seat Belts13%
Body & Structure13%

Does the 2018 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.

20V012000Fuel SystemJanuary 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Involved in a 2 vehicle accident on October 26th. My car is totaled and so is the other car. No airbags deployed and my drivers side seat belt failed to lock in the accident. I was injured and taken by ambulance to hospital. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 26, 2025 · crash

“THE PRE-COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE. DEALERSHIP MIKE ERDMAN TOYOTA OR TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN TEXAS WILL PUT IN WRITING THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS NOR WILL THEY DO AN ACTUAL TEST TO PROVE THAT IT IS OPERATIONAL. ALL THEY WILL SAY IS THAT THE COMPUTER ANALYSIS SAYS IT SHOULD BE WORKING. IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 29, 2018

“I WAS TRAVELING ON I-294 SOUTH IN THE VICINITY OF, SOUTH HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS NEXT TO THE MEDIAN. THERE WAS A CAR NEXT TO ME THAT WAS BEHIND AN 18 WHEELER, PULLING AN EXTRA TRAILER. THE 18 WHEELER SWERVED TO MISS A CAR AND AS A RESULT OF THE 18 WHEELER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 21, 2019 · crash

“I OWN A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON THAT IS SUBJECT TO RECALL FOR A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE CAR IN 8/3/2020 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT FUEL PUMP IN PARTS AND THAT IT WILL BE LATE SEPT. OR OCT. BEFORE THEY HAVE THE CORRECT FUEL PUMP. IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 3, 2020

“My car check engine light lane sensor light and Lad light came on and card had rough handling i took it to Toyota of plano and they worked on charged me $650 so i was was happy they fixed the problem after one day the lights came back they said it was the rodent damage a Rat chewed the wire because…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 15, 2021

2018 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 31 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Avalon year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (6 complaints), other (5 complaints), steering (4 complaints).

Does the 2018 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 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 2018 Toyota Avalon?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 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.