2018 Toyota Avalon Safety Report
2018 TOYOTA AVALON Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Toyota Avalon
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 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 | Moderate (24) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 7 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Avalon | 64 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Toyota Avalon | 14 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota Avalon | 10 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Toyota Avalon | 23 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota Avalon | 20 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota Avalon | 52 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Toyota Avalon Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 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.
Unknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyFuel/Propulsion System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Toyota onlyVehicle Speed Control
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Toyota onlySteering
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Toyota onlyAir Bags,Seat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seat Belts issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Toyota Avalon
Reliability Score
The 2018 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 2018 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 2018 Toyota Avalon
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Toyota Avalon:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags And Seat Belts Airbags and seat belts have failed in a real accident, indicating potential reliability issues. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel/Propulsion System Engine performance issues, including engine stalling during acceleration, have been reported. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Steering failure at highway speeds has been reported, which is a serious safety concern. |
Low | Occasional | 42k-60k miles |
| Pre-Collision Braking System The pre-collision braking system has failed to work in several instances, posing a risk in emergency situations. |
Medium | Occasional | 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 2018 Toyota Avalon:
Issues with the airbag/seat belt system have been reported.
Engine stalling during acceleration has been reported.
Steering failure at highway speeds has been reported.
The pre-collision braking system has failed to work in several instances.
Recall Details for the 2018 Toyota Avalon
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 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: 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...
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Toyota Avalon
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Toyota Avalon with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 7 complaints involved crashes. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.
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.
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] On July 12, 2023 I entered a parking lot at a busy retail establishment. I chose a parking space that has a curb and bushes between...
Hello, My name is [XXX]. I bought my car from Longo Toyota in El Monte about 15 months ago. The car was certified preowned and had a Carfax report with no accident reported history. That is exactly why I bought the car, because this was going to be my family car. So I bought it and have been driving around my daughter, who just turned one for over a year. I also work as a Behavioral Therapist and...
Air Bag did not deploy during a major front end collision. Resulted in total loss of the vehicle.
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. Just learned about the fuel pump problem that is associated with my 2018 Toyota Avalon. Plan to contact the dealer tomorrow. I have not ...
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 at the same time as I felt a pop and lost power and response in the steering wheel. Thankfully, I have driven heavy power equi...
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 what i learned toyota is using soy base wires it attracts Rats they should not use it it is a safet...
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. WE OWN A 2016 PRIUS WITH THE SAME FEATURE AND IT ALWAYS RESPONDS ' FLASHING A WARNING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY SAID THE SYSTEM IN OUR CAR PERFORMS A CHECK EVERY T...
I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY RADIO HANGING UP PHONE CALLS AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. AFTER TAKING MY CAR SEVERAL TIME I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY CAR AND LEFT IT OVER NIGHT MARCH 18TH AND MARCH 19TH. IT HAD A CHARGING LIGHT ON SO THEY SAID IT'S BEST IF IT SAYS OVER NIGHT. WHEN CONTACTED THE SATELLITE RADIO COMPANY TO GIVE THE NEW RADIO ID, THE SAID IT WAS THE ID. I CALLED ...
MY AUTO HIGH BEAMS DAILY FAIL TO WORK CORRECTLY DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING, THE LOW BEAM WOULD BE ON, THE TURN SIGNAL CONTROL LEVER WILL BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE DASH PANEL IS SHOWING A HEADLIGHT WITH A WORD "AUTO" WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD CYCLE ON & OFF AS THEY SHOULD WITH THE AUTO HIGH BEAM SYSTEM. THEN THE GREEN "AUTO" LIGHT WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY GO OF...
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 INTERIM, I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN ANOTHER CUT IN FRONT OF THEM AND IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING ...
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) AFTER A VIN SEARCH WAS PERFORMED ONLINE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH NHTSA HOTLINE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR MADE AWARE OF THE ...
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; CAR JERKED WITH ACCELERATION
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 SWERVING, THE CAR NEXT TO ME SWERVED TO MISS THE TRAILER; WHEN THAT HAPPENED I SWERVED TO MY LEFT BECAUSE...
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. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, TREATED AND RELEASED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALE...
2018 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS THAT DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTO ACCIDENT. *LD *JS
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 AND THEN PUSHING THELEVER DOWN TO SET THE NEW SPEED." WHEN I TRY TO DO THIS THE VEHICLE WILL QUICKLY SLOW DOWN TO 1 MPH BELOW THE PREVIOUS SET SPEED. ...
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. BILL WRIGHT SERVICE OF BAKERSFIELD, CA STATED THAT THIS WAS 'NORMAL' AND REFUSED TO CONSIDER ANY RE-DO OR REPAIRS. CALLED TOYOTA FACTORY SERVICE (COURTNEY) AT 1-800-331-4331 AND SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE O...
Showing 20 of 24 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 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 2018 Toyota Avalon
Has the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 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 2018 TOYOTA AVALON have?
The 2018 TOYOTA AVALON has 24 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 7 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2018 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 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON involve unknown or other (5 complaints), air bags (4 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (3 complaints). Other affected components include vehicle speed control, steering, air bags,seat belts.
How many crash reports does the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are 7 crash reports associated with the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON out of 24 total complaints (29.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON is generally recommended. It has 24 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (4 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3 complaints), 4. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints), 5. STEERING (2 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
Be cautious of potential issues with the airbag/seat belt system and fuel/propulsion system. Ensure the vehicle is up to date with recalls. The 2018 TOYOTA AVALON has 24 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2018 TOYOTA AVALON receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 24 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and seat belts and Fuel/propulsion system.
What are the known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON?
Known issues with the 2018 TOYOTA AVALON include: Airbags and seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, Steering, Pre-collision braking system. These are based on patterns found across 24 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Toyota Avalon?
Yes, there are recalls for airbags and a fuel pump issue. Check for updates and recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Toyota Avalon?
Common issues include airbag/seat belt system failures, engine stalling, steering failure, and pre-collision braking system malfunctions.
How can I ensure my 2018 Toyota Avalon is safe?
Stay informed about recalls, perform regular maintenance, and address any issues promptly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential issues with the airbag/seat belt system and fuel/propulsion system. Ensure the vehicle is up to date with recalls.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Toyota Avalon
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Toyota Avalon. The data includes 24 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 7 reported crashes, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 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