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 ↗2010 Toyota Avalon cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Toyota Avalon have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Avalon | 78 |
| 2007 Avalon | 68 |
| 2008 Avalon | 39 |
| 2009 Avalon | 15 |
| 2010 Avalon (this page) | 12 |
| 2011 Avalon | 9 |
| 2012 Avalon | 3 |
| 2013 Avalon | 20 |
| 2014 Avalon | 3 |
2crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 12 cruise control complaints filed for the 2010 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
Cruise control accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
As communicated in mid-June 2013, the Federal Court in Orange County, California continued the Fairness Hearing regarding the proposed settlement of the consolidated Economic Loss Class Actions related to claims of unintended acceleration until July 19, 2013.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The Federal Court in Orange County, CA today continued a Fairness Hearing regarding the proposed settlement of the consolidated Economic L:oss Class Actions relating to claims of unintended acceleration. The new (continued) date for Fairness Hearing is July 19,2013. After the hearing TMS will provide further updates on the status and timing of the settlement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On June 14, 2013 the Federal Court in Orange County, California will conduct a Fairness Hearing regarding the proposed settlement of the consolidated Economic Loss Class Actions. Dealerships may notice media coverage of this Fairness Hearing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 of 2010 Avalons describe unintended acceleration in two main patterns: sudden speed increases while cruise control is engaged (jumping from 74 to 95 mph, or 70 to 100 mph in seconds) and unexpected surging at low speed—when coasting toward traffic lights, approaching stop signs, or even while the brake pedal is held. One owner crashed into a tree during parking and suffered severe leg injuries; another reported 50 feet of uncontrolled forward motion before stopping.
The behavior is intermittent and often cannot be reproduced at dealerships. One owner found the dealer claimed the vehicle was "designed to operate that way." Notably, at least one vehicle had already undergone the accelerator pedal recall (campaign 09V388000) when the acceleration failures occurred, yet the surging persisted afterward. Another owner reported continuing "lurch" sensations during startup and backup even after pedal replacement.
Owners note the engine sounds like it's receiving excessive fuel during events, and the issue occurs as early as 1,800 miles or as high as 7,800 miles. Multiple attempts by dealers to diagnose the problem have yielded either "software problem" findings (with repairs apparently successful in one case) or a shrug—no repairs made, no diagnosis provided. This suggests the root cause may lie beyond the mechanical pedal in the electronic throttle control or engine management system.
Same Toyota Avalon cruise control reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration during cruise control operation
Vehicle accelerates abnormally when cruise control is engaged or being adjusted. Multiple owners report sudden jumps in speed (from 74 MPH to 95 MPH, from 70 MPH to 100 MPH) that required brake application to stop. One owner could not deactivate cruise control initially when brakes were engaged.
When: Early in vehicle life (1,800–7,000 miles for most reports); one incident at 2010 model year launch
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden speed increase while cruise control active; Vehicle accelerates when attempting to reset cruise control; Engine sounds like it's receiving excessive fuel; Brakes required to deactivate cruise control and stop acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealer identified a 'software problem' and repaired it; most dealers could not duplicate or offered no diagnosis within 48+ hours
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign ID 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal) performed on at least one vehicle before this failure occurred; manufacturer advised inspection but provided no systematic remedy for cruise control-specific issues
Sudden unintended acceleration at low speed or stop
Vehicle surges forward unexpectedly when coasting slowly, approaching traffic lights, or while parked. Occurs with or without cruise control engaged. One crash resulted with vehicle destruction and owner injury.
When: Throughout ownership; incidents reported at 2,625 miles, 7,000–7,800 miles, and at traffic light approaches
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward surge while approaching stop signs or traffic lights; Vehicle lunges forward after turning corners; Vehicle accelerates while coasting at ~20 MPH with foot off gas; Vehicle surges forward while foot is on brake pedal at 15 MPH; Intermittent behavior; continues even after recalled pedal replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate failure in most cases; one owner reports dealer stated vehicle 'designed to operate that way'; accelerator pedal replaced under recall 09V388000 for one owner but surging continued afterward
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign ID 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal) applied; brake/throttle reprogramming mentioned in recall communications but not consistently resolved the issue
Loss of acceleration or power during cruise control operation
Vehicle loses acceleration ability while cruise control is engaged at highway speeds. Driver depressed brake to disengage cruise but vehicle would not accelerate. Resulted in vehicle drifting off highway.
When: At 2,625 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses acceleration capability while passing at cruise control; Brakes do not disengage cruise control; Vehicle drifts off highway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not duplicate failure; no repairs made; owner disabled cruise control after incident
Vehicle lurch or surge during low-speed maneuvers
Vehicle lurches when starting up or backing up, even after accelerator pedal recall service was completed. Suggests issue may extend beyond mechanical pedal to electronic throttle control or engine management.
When: After pedal replacement under recall
Symptoms owners cite: Lurch when starting vehicle; Lurch when backing up
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator pedal replaced by dealership under recall but lurch persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Accelerator pedal replacement performed under recall
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Last tuesday, dec 6th, 2016,I started my Toyota avalon 2010 and got from a parking to higway pr 1, it suddenly accelerated out of control, I stepped on the brake pedal, shifted gear to lowest shift, stepped on the emergency break and only stopped when I did put it on pkg and turned it off. It took like 500 m to stop it. The floor carpet is one of the kind that keep secured to the car floor and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota avalon. The contact stated that while trying to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact mentioned that she could not control the vehicle, as it was accelerating rapidly. The vehicle was destroyed and the contact suffered severe leg injuries from the impact. The police were notified and a…
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Toyota avalon. The contact stated that he noticed an intermittent sudden acceleration when he approached a stop sign. The vehicle would not move forward when the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, if he continued to depress the pedal, the vehicle would suddenly surge forward. The vehicle would also lunge forward after turning a corner. The vehicle was taken to an…
2010 Toyota avalon. Consumer expresses discontent with recalls *tgw the consumer stated two unrelated recalls are on the same recall notice. The consumer requested that the brake/throttle reprogramming be done, but he does not want the pedal modification done as he believed it would cause a safety issue. The consumer stated presently, the pedal clearance to the floor is 1 3/4 inches and the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota avalon. The contact stated he was driving with the cruise control set to approximate speeds of 74 MPH. He engaged the brakes and the when attempting to reset the cruise control, the vehicle abnormally accelerated to speeds of 95 MPH. He was able to deactivate the cruise control and applied the brakes to stop the acceleration. The manufacturer advised the…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2010 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 2010 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 28,079 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2010/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.