Toyota Avalon problems
91 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota avalon. During brake application the vehicle lurched forward. As a consequence she rear-ended the proceeding vehicle. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 18000. Updated 1/28/10 *cn the…
I have owned the car for 2-1/2 years. In that time I have replaced the high beam lights twice. Currently, the right hand high beam light is burned out and will need replaced a third time. I got a rude awakening when the right hand low beam light burned out yesterday. I…
The steering wheel on my 2009 avalon limited automobile collapses while driving with no apparent reason. My vehicle is equipped with an adjustable telescoping steering wheel which one can adjust for comfort & then lock into its set position. A lever below the steering column on…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Toyota Avalon is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Toyota Avalon?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Toyota Avalon does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Toyota Avalon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,717 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,717 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Avalon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Toyota Avalon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 91 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $250, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.