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2018 Toyota Avalon Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Toyota Avalon carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering air bag/restraint control module and fuel pump. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Airbag non-deployment in collisions.” 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

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #20V012000 · Jan 13, 2020

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Toyota Avalon.

Reported to NHTSA

Airbag non-deployment in collisions

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2025-11

“Air Bag did not deploy during a major front end collision. Resulted in total loss of the vehicle.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11497996
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11242028
“2018 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS THAT DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTO ACCIDENT. *LD *JS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11233352

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering assist loss and pull at highway speed

STEERING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2021-08

“At approximately 42000 miles with no significant issues and no front end damages, the steering failed as I was driving at highway speed (70 mph) on a 2 lane road approaching a 90 degree curve. The power steering warning light and a separate triangle warning light appeared…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11430947
“WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE SPEED BETWEEN 60-70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKS TO THE RIGHT. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BECAUSE IT FELT SCARY (AS IF I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE) I HAD THE PROBLEM CHECKED THROUGH A REPUTABLE SERVICE CENTER- THE TORQUE STEERING WAS OFF;…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11271236

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump recall and engine power loss

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-07 → 2022-11

“Intermittently, unpredictably, for several seconds at a time, the engine almost quits, especially when accelerating So far, it has not happened in heavy traffic, but if it did, it would create a possibly major safety hazard. I have not taken it to a dealer yet.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11495198
“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.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11350749
“CHECKING ON THE STATUS OF THE FUEL PUMP RECALL?? WAS SUPPOSED TO GET A NOTICE BY MAY BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE YET. I ENTERED THE 17 DIGIT VIN NUMEBER IN YOUR FORM BUT GOT NO RESPONSE.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11341599

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Pre-collision braking system non-response

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2021-05

“THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT APPEAR TO WORK. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN CARS IN FRONT OF US HAVE SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES, THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT RESPOND.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11415720
“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.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11132427
“TOYOTA IN THEIR ADS SHOW THE AVALON TO STOP BY ITSELF IN FRONT OF OBSTACLES AND PEOPLE. MY TEST SHOWS THIS NOT TO BE THE CASE WITH MY CAR. TOYOTA ADVISED TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED AND THIS WAS DONE.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11111801

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear visibility from backup camera and rear window

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2019-05

“THE BACK UP CAMERA DISPLAY CLEARLY SHOWS THE REAR LICENSE PLATE. VEHICLE PURCHASED MAY 25, 2018. THE CAMERA AND DISPLAY WORKED FINE UNTIL 4/23/2019, DID NOT SHOW THE REAR LICENSE PLATE.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11207521
“A. DAY DRIVING IMPAIRED VISIBILITY-REAR WINDSHIELD: A REAR WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE 2018 TOYOTA AVALON ON SUNNY DAYS.. THE COMBINATION OF THE STEEP ANGLE OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD AND THE LIGHT INTERIOR ON THE BACK DECK BEHIND THE REAR SEATS CREATES A GLARE…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11121781

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Acceleration and cruise control speed changes

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2023-07

“Date of safety issue: July 12, 2023 Location: Piper Glen Shopping Center, Rea Road, Charlotte NC (destination was Run For Your Life at 6416 Rea Road - within the shopping center). Time: Approximately sometime between 1:30 and 2:00 ET Police Report Complaint # - [XXX]…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11532109
“IN DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR DOES NOT ACT AS DESCRIBED ON PAGE 237 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE MANUAL STATES EVEN WITHOUT CANCELING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SET SPEED CAN BE INCREASED BY FIRST ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE TO THE DESIRED SPEED…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11219860

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)

12 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.

7

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 2018 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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