TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Toyota Avalon cruise control problems
critical 67 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
67
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
25crashes
1fire
19injuries
3fatalities
When does it fail?
Of the 67 cruise control complaints filed for the 2007 Toyota Avalon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 67 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 12 model years of Toyota Avalon in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe repeated unintended acceleration where the engine revs and the car surges forward without their foot on the gas pedal—sometimes while actively braking. This happens at parking-lot crawl speeds and highway velocities, in parking lots, on surface streets, and at merges. The brake pedal either becomes unresponsive or requires extreme pressure; in several cases, drivers had to shift to Neutral or activate the emergency brake to stop. Brakes have overheated from the effort.
The laser (adaptive) cruise control system creates a second acceleration pattern: when reactivated after being turned off for road conditions or traffic, the vehicle jolts forward with RPMs jumping from 2,100 to 4,800 in seconds. The same system sometimes fails to slow the car when it detects vehicles ahead, forcing manual braking at highway speed. In one case, the brake lights don't illuminate when the laser system applies brakes, creating a following-vehicle hazard.
A third category involves the accelerator pedal itself sticking in the down position, preventing drivers from lifting off—one driver reached 80 mph on a two-lane road and could only brake to 60. After recall work, one owner reported the car refusing to drop below 55 mph with a 1,800 RPM floor, as if cruise control was locked on. Dealers consistently report no diagnostic codes, inability to reproduce the problem during test drives, and blame on floor mats despite owners verifying mat placement.
Same Toyota Avalon cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration while braking
Engine revs and vehicle accelerates despite driver applying brake pedal, sometimes requiring neutral or emergency brake to stop. Occurs at various speeds (5–80 MPH) in diverse conditions: parking lots, highways, city streets, after turning corners, or while already braking.
When: Various mileages reported from 3,723 to 120,000; cluster includes incidents from 2006–2015, with concentration around 35,000–55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPMs increase without foot on accelerator; Brake pedal becomes stiff or unresponsive; Brake pedal pressed hard but car continues forward; Brakes smoke from excessive use; Vehicle only stops after shifting to Neutral or applying emergency brake; Multiple incidents over time (5–12+ occurrences reported); Foot confirmed off gas pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers typically cannot reproduce or find fault; throttle body and accelerator assembly (including sensors) replaced in one case; ECM reprogramming attempted in another; brake override system installed per recall; one owner reported $17,859.81 repair for computer system damage and air bag replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 09V388000 (accelerator pedal), 10V017000 (accelerator pedal), and reinforcement bar installation mentioned; brake override systems installed; many owners report problems persist after recall work; dealers blamed floor mats despite owner verification mats were properly positioned; Toyota engineers attributed one case to computer learning driving habits
Cruise control surge on reactivation or road condition change
When cruise control is reactivated after being disengaged due to road conditions or speed change, vehicle surges forward with rapid acceleration. RPMs jump dramatically, vehicle jolts as if accelerator pushed to floor.
When: Reported from early ownership (100 miles) through higher mileage; one complaint at 39,300 miles, another at 2,100 RPM condition trigger
Symptoms owners cite: RPM tachometer jumps from 2,100 to 4,800 RPM; Vehicle lurches or jolts forward suddenly when cruise reactivated; Acceleration happens only 6–7 MPH below preset cruise speed; Occurs when road conditions change (inclines, traffic); Laser cruise control attempts rapid acceleration to restore speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers told owners this was normal vehicle operation; one dealer claimed defect was in laser cruise control unit itself; unit replaced in 2009 after two years of complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no directive received from Toyota USA regarding cruise control defect; laser cruise control unit replaced in June 2009 after extended complaint period
Laser (adaptive) cruise control fails to brake or detect vehicles
Laser-equipped cruise control system does not slow vehicle when sensing obstructions ahead, or falsely detects obstructions and brakes when none exist. Driver must manually brake to avoid collision.
When: Reported from 39,300 to 40,000 miles; detected at least 12 times in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not slow when sensing vehicle in front at highway speeds (60+ MPH); Driver forced to manually depress brake to avoid rear-ending vehicle ahead; System falsely detects nonexistent obstructions; When system resumes speed after false detection, acceleration is rapid with accelerator nearly pushed to floor
Repairs/costs cited: Unit recognized as defective and replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer heard nothing about such problems initially; laser cruise control unit was eventually replaced in June 2009
Post-recall minimum speed lock or low RPM floor issue
After recall installation (accelerator pedal and brake override), vehicle refuses to drive below certain speed (55 MPH) with engine RPMs stuck at minimum (1800 RPM), behaving as if cruise control is permanently engaged even when off.
When: Immediately after dealership recall completion
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not decelerate below 55 MPH; Engine RPM remains at 1,800 RPM minimum even when not accelerating; Cruise control appears locked on despite being off; Vehicle appears to have reverted to problem state after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership kept vehicle overnight; unable to duplicate problem next day despite service manager initially reproducing it
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota engineering suggested issue was computer learning driving habits; vehicle returned to owner without resolution; owner used vehicle only when necessary as family refused to ride in it
Engine surge and rough running with smoke/no diagnostic codes
Engine runs rough, RPM monitor fluctuates, vehicle slows despite accelerator input, smoke bellows from engine compartment. Check engine light does not illuminate.
When: One incident approximately one year before primary complaint (2014), second incident 9/7/2015 after long intermission
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle slows despite foot on gas pedal; Engine runs extremely rough; RPM monitor fluctuates back and forth; Smoke bellows from front right hood and upper right tire rim area; Check engine light does not activate
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealership; 2014 incident attributed to bad or cheap fuel; current status awaited
Brake light failure during laser cruise control braking
When laser cruise control system applies brakes to slow vehicle, brake lights do not illuminate. Creates hazard for following vehicles that cannot see braking action.
When: Recurring throughout highway cruising at speeds 65+ MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights do not illuminate during laser cruise control braking; Vehicle slows but following traffic cannot see brake activation; Creates near-accident risk for vehicles behind
Accelerator stuck or sticking (mechanical)
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck in down position during driving, preventing normal throttle control. Brakes only slow vehicle, unable to stop it completely without neutral or emergency measures.
When: Reported in incidents from early ownership to later years
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal physically stuck; Vehicle reaches 70–80 MPH uncontrollably; Brakes can only slow to 60 MPH, not stop; Accelerator slowly returns to normal after engine shut off (one case); Pedal becomes stuck while accelerating to pass
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes required replacement due to excessive heat; one case involved $17,859.81 computer system repair after collision; pedal replacement performed per recall in some cases; one owner reported metal plate added to gas pedal and later different pedal installed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 09V388000 and 10V017000 for accelerator pedal; pedal reinforcement bar installation; one owner reported Toyota blamed all-weather floor mat placed over standard mat
Transmission hanging when turning or accelerating on inclines
Transmission fails to shift smoothly or hangs (delays shift) when vehicle turns into alley, garage ramp, or climbs incline. May occur alongside sudden acceleration incidents.
When: Earlier in ownership; one case coincided with later sudden acceleration episode
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission hangs when turning into alley; Transmission hangs when driving up garage ramp; Vehicle lurches or shifts roughly on inclines
Synthesized from 67 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Toyota avalon. The contact was involved in a crash. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning, causing her to crash into a building. The contact sustained multiple contusions and was being treated by a physician. The dealer was contacted and offered no assistance. The contact did not inform the…
We have a Toyota avalon 2007 & have noticed that after we reengage the cruise control there is a sudden acceleration up to the preset speed, there has also been numerous incidents when the car accelerates past the preset speed & we have to disengage the cruise control & then reset it. *tr
Had cruise control trouble with your 2007 Toyota Avalon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2007 Toyota Avalon?
It's a serious issue. 67 complaints have been filed, including 25 reports involving a crash and 3 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 50 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 15,000 and 45,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 45,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Toyota/Avalon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.