2017 Toyota Avalon Safety Report
2017 TOYOTA AVALON Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Toyota Avalon
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Toyota Avalon. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (14) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Toyota Avalon with 10 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Toyota Avalon before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Avalon Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Avalon years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Toyota Avalon | 24 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Toyota Avalon | 23 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Toyota Avalon | 64 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Toyota Avalon | 52 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota Avalon | 10 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota Avalon | 20 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2017 Toyota Avalon Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Toyota Avalon, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyStructure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Toyota onlyElectrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyVehicle Speed Control
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Toyota Avalon
Reliability Score
The 2017 Toyota Avalon receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Toyota Avalon
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Toyota Avalon
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Toyota Avalon:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag System Recall Recalled due to potential air bag deployment failure. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear Trunk Torsion Springs Weak springs causing trunk issues since the car's initial release. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Vehicle Speed Control Failures Issues with vehicle speed control and engine causing unexpected gear shifts and acceleration. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Ignition Auto-Shutoff Absence Lack of auto-shutoff feature leading to carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Toyota Avalon:
Issues with air bag deployment and control module.
Problems with gear shifts and unexpected acceleration.
Weak springs causing trunk issues.
Lack of feature leading to safety concerns.
Recall Details for the 2017 Toyota Avalon
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Toyota Avalon by NHTSA:
Summary: 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...
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Toyota Avalon
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Toyota Avalon with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 7 reported injuries or fatalities.
The torsion springs for the rear trunk are very weak. They have been that way since car was new. I have had multiple occasions where I opened the trunk and had it come down and hit me on the head. This has also happened to my wife.
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 freeway or while trying to pass another car on a two lane and a speed sensor disable the entire car to...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNNAMED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF TH...
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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.
TOYOTA'S FAILURE TO INSTALL AN AUTO-STOP CAUSED THE CARBON-MONOXIDE POISONING OF TWO (MORE) PEOPLE, MANY DOZENS OF SUCH DEATHS REPORTED. (DETAIL: THEY HAD LIKELY STOPPED THE ENGINE, BUT THE WIRELESS FOB CAN RE-START; AND THIS MODEL HAS AN AUTO STOP/START FUNCTION THAT CAN ALSO LEAD TO DEATH.] NOTE: NOT MY CAR, MY PARENTS.
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.
TOYOTA'S FAILURE TO INSTALL AN ENGINE AUTO STOP CAUSED THE CARBON MONOXIDE DEATH OF TWO PEOPLE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. FAILURE TO HAVE PROPER OUTSIDE WARNINGS LIKE A HONK TO WARN THE OPERATOR NOT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE CAR LED TO THIS DEATH.
TOYOTA'S FAILURE TO INSTALL AN ENGINE AUTO STOP CAUSED THE CARBON MONOXIDE DEATH OF TWO PEOPLE. FAILURE TO HAVE PROPER OUTSIDE WARNINGS LIKE A HONK TO WARN THE OPERATOR NOT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE CAR LED TO THIS DEATH.
TOYOTA'S FAILURE TO INSTALL AN ENGINE AUTO STOP CAUSED THE CARBON MONOXIDE DEATH OF TWO PEOPLE. FAILURE TO HAVE PROPER OUTSIDE WARNINGS LIKE A HONK TO WARN THE OPERATOR NOT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE CAR LED TO THESE DEATHS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A GARAGE. PEOPLE WERE INSIDE THE HOME. HTTPS://WWW.LEGACY.COM/OBITUARIES/HERALDTRIBUNE/OBITUARY.ASPX?N=JAMES-LIVINGSTON&PID=192908732 HTTPS://WWW...
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 THEY MAY HAVE REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE CAR.
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 ELECTRIC AND THAT IT WAS FINE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3/10/18 AND THE CAR WAS CHECKED AGAIN ...
FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE (08/14/2017) I NOTICED A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE ANALOG SPEEDOMETER AND THE CENTER DIGITAL DISPLAY OF THE SPEED (MPH). CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. HE ADVISED THERE IS NO FIX. I NOTED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB. THE ERROR IS BETWEEN 2 AND 3 MPH AND VARIES WITH DIFFERENT SPEEDS. STARTING SPEED IS ZERO WITH THE ERRORS...
2017 TOYOTA BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED BY TOYOTA. ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ANSWER. PLEASE REFER TO THE TOYOTA OWNERS WEBSITE IT HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE.
SCOUT NAVIGATION SYSTEM WORKS WITH MY ANDROID PHONE. WHEN THE PHONE ENTERS TIME-OUT MODE, THE NAVIGATION ON THE VEHICLE IS FROZEN. TO RESTORE SERVICE, THE DRIVER HAS TO PICK UP THE DEVICE AND SWIPE THE SCREEN IN ORDER TO RE-ESTABLISH THE SCOUT APPLICATION. REMOVING YOUR EYES FROM THE ROAD AND HAND FROM THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING IS NOT A SAFE PROCEDURE AND SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED BY THE PRODUCT IN ORD...
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Toyota Avalon
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Elec...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Toyota Avalon
Has the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON have?
The 2017 TOYOTA AVALON has 14 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 10 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2017 TOYOTA AVALON received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON involve engine (5 complaints), air bags (2 complaints), structure (1 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,vehicle speed control,engine, fuel/propulsion system, vehicle speed control.
How many crash reports does the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON out of 14 total complaints (14.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
Yes, 10 deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON is extreme caution advised. It has 14 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 10 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON are: 1. ENGINE (5 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE (1 complaints), 5. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
Be aware of potential air bag and electrical system issues. Check for recalls and address any reported problems with the speed control and trunk torsion springs. The 2017 TOYOTA AVALON has 14 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2017 TOYOTA AVALON receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 14 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air Bag System Recall and Rear Trunk Torsion Springs.
What are the known issues with the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON?
Known issues with the 2017 TOYOTA AVALON include: Air Bag System Recall, Rear Trunk Torsion Springs, Vehicle Speed Control Failures, Ignition Auto-Shutoff Absence. These are based on patterns found across 14 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Toyota Avalon?
Yes, there are recalls for the air bag system and temporary spare tire.
What are the common electrical system issues?
Common issues include vehicle speed control failures and unexpected gear shifts and acceleration.
Is the ignition auto-shutoff feature installed in the 2017 Toyota Avalon?
No, the ignition auto-shutoff feature is missing, which has led to safety concerns.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential air bag and electrical system issues. Check for recalls and address any reported problems with the speed control and trunk torsion springs.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Toyota Avalon
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Toyota Avalon. The data includes 14 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, and 10 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Toyota Avalon an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16