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2015 Toyota Avalon Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Toyota Avalon carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering crash imminent braking and air bag/restraint control module. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Unintended braking from pre-collision system.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING

Campaign #15V728000 · Mar 11, 2015

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

Campaign #20V024000 · Jan 17, 2020

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Toyota Avalon.

Reported to NHTSA

Unintended braking from pre-collision system

SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2023-04

“While driving the pre-collision system (PCS) turns on unexpectedly, without any warning lights or sounds, and applies the brakes. This happens when I am driving in traffic with plenty of space between the car in front of me…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11518883
“THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL (DRCC). IT APPLIES THE BRAKES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. BELOW ARE DESCRIPTIONS OF 5 OF ABOUT 20 SUCH INCIDENTS…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10785402

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Pre-collision system recall repair parts delay

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2017-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10840340
“PCS RECALL. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THIS SAFETY SYSTEM THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY AND WITH NUMEROUS INQUIRIES I HAVE RECEIVED NO FIX DATE. THIS IS A NEW CAR AND ONE OF MY REASONS FOR BUYING WAS THE PCS SAFETY SYSTEM AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10837093

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in collisions

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2025-05

“Accident June 12, 2024 air bag did not deploy. hit on passenger side no air bags deployed. Air bag not able to be reset”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11661245
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11203313

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2023-09

“ON FEB. 5, 2020 AT ABOUT 6:30 AM, MY WIFE WAS PULLING UP BEHIND CARS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS SHE COULD…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308465
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, drove over the curb, and crashed into bushes. The air bags did not deploy…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11543398

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal travel and extended stopping distance

SERVICE BRAKES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2025-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11093611
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE BRAKE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11328191

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire blowout at highway speed

TIRES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2021-04 → 2023-10

“I have tire size P225 / 45 R 18. Michelin Primacy mxm4. The compalint tire exploded at 65 MPH (the speed limit). The falure caused the car to swerve into the next lane which was occupied by another car at the time…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11548028
“HAVE TOYO EXTENSA AS II TIRES ON CAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES ON TIRES. ON INTERSTATE 69 IN HOUSTON RUSH HOUR WITHOUT WARNING THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OFF RIM. LEFT AT 70MPH WITH ONLY RIM ON THE BACK TIRE…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11408017

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water leak into cabin near sunroof and windshield

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2025-05

“05/04/2025 First of all, we love our Avalon. However, for the last 6 months or so, water is getting in the car and ends up soaking the carpet on the left front floorboard carpet. We have checked everything we can think of to find the source of the leak but was uneasily…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658794
“UNKNOWN LEAKING. WE HAVE NARROWED DOWN TO THE SUNROOF OR TOP PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. CAN NOT PIN POINT LEAK, BUT AFTER COVERING WITH TARP IN PARTICULAR AREAS WE HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE SUN ROOF OR W/S. THE DRAIN PLUGS ARE CLEAR IN THE SUN ROOF.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11288939

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard and display panel power loss

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2018-04

“TIME TO TIME EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR SHUTDOWN (LIGHTS, NAVIGATION, STEREO SYSTEM E.T.C. ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES, IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN I DRIVE, ALSO THE DASHBOARD MAKES A NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A CLICK…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11062563
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH SHORTED OUT THE DISPLAY PANEL WITHOUT WARNING…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11089004

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

34 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Toyota Avalon reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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