TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Toyota Avalon electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Toyota Avalon have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 45,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Avalon | 14 |
| 2008 Avalon | 44 |
| 2009 Avalon | 9 |
| 2011 Avalon (this page) | 23 |
| 2012 Avalon | 4 |
| 2013 Avalon | 14 |
| 2014 Avalon | 11 |
| 2015 Avalon | 6 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 23 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Toyota Avalon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Among the 12 model years of Toyota Avalon in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Electrical accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power door lock failure dominates complaints on this model year. Owners describe passenger and rear doors becoming unresponsive to key fob and driver-side lock switch commands, forcing manual unlocking from inside the vehicle. Failures often occur on multiple doors simultaneously and recur intermittently or after dealer repair. Some owners report the locks beeping but not engaging; others note doors lock when shifting into Drive but only the driver's door unlocks in Park.
Dealers have diagnosed defective lock actuators and replaced them at costs exceeding $1,000. One owner's block-level diagnosis showed an open circuit in the junction block. Toyota has denied warranty coverage unless extended warranty was purchased, and blamed one failure on clip-on air freshener vapors—a claim the owner found unsubstantiated.
Separately, multiple owners received recall notification 15V047000 (Electrical System) but could not complete the repair because parts remained unavailable from dealers for months. Some had their subwoofers disconnected as a temporary workaround.
Additional complaints include headlight flickering on low beam and odometer/speedometer readings running 3 percent low.
Same Toyota Avalon electrical reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power door lock actuator failure — passenger and rear doors
Passenger and/or rear door locks become unresponsive to key fob commands and driver-side door lock switch. Doors must be unlocked manually from inside the vehicle. Problem affects multiple doors simultaneously and recurs intermittently or persistently. Dealers have attributed failure to defective lock actuators requiring replacement.
When: Between 15,000 and 70,000 miles; some owners report onset after 1 year of ownership; failures can recur after dealer repair
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger/rear doors will not unlock with key fob; Doors will not unlock with driver-side door lock switch; Door beeps multiple times but does not unlock; Doors lock in Drive but only driver's door unlocks in Park; Doors must be manually unlocked from inside vehicle; Problem intermittent or recurring; appears to affect the same doors repeatedly
Repairs/costs cited: Lock actuators replaced at dealer cost exceeding $1,000 in at least two reported cases; one owner charged $120 after dealer diagnosis of open circuit in junction block requiring block replacement; problem has recurred after repair in multiple cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota denied warranty coverage unless extended comprehensive warranty purchased; one dealer blamed clip-on air freshener vapors coating actuators; another owner's case opened with Toyota but no resolution noted
Power door lock control module/junction block failure
Central control module or junction block regulating power door locks and trunk release has failed, causing loss of remote and switch-actuated locking and unlocking. Dealer service has diagnosed and replaced the module or junction block.
When: No specific mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger and rear door locks inoperable via remote key fob; Passenger and rear door locks inoperable via driver-side door lock switch; Trunk cannot be opened with remote key fob or dash button; Problem disappeared after about one week then recurred
Repairs/costs cited: Module controlling power door locks and trunk release replaced; total cost over $1,000, though one owner was charged only $120; parts involved identified as module or junction block
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed parts were not available for recall repair (Campaign 15V047000); technician disconnected subwoofer as temporary remedy in multiple cases; manufacturer could not provide estimated timeline for parts availability
Recall (Campaign 15V047000) — parts unavailable
Multiple owners received NHTSA recall notification 15V047000 (Electrical System) but could not have repair completed because replacement parts were unavailable from dealership. Temporary workaround involved disconnecting subwoofer. No failure experienced by these owners; issue relates to inability to complete mandated recall remedy.
When: Recall notification received; three-month delay reported between initial notice and parts still unavailable
Symptoms owners cite: Parts not available to perform recall repair; Manufacturer unable to provide estimated availability date; Recall repairs delayed beyond reasonable timeframe
Repairs/costs cited: Subwoofer disconnected as temporary remedy while awaiting recall part availability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V047000 issued; parts unavailable at time of reports; manufacturer could not confirm when parts would be available; one dealer refused to perform recall repair for free
Headlight flickering on low beam
Both headlights flicker constantly and periodically go completely off when set to low beam. Manual off-and-on cycle restores steady illumination for approximately two minutes before flickering resumes. Occurs whether vehicle is parked or in motion.
When: Occurring for several months at time of report; no mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker constantly on low beam; One or both headlights go completely off; Lights steady for approximately 2 minutes after manual reset, then flicker again; Problem occurs in parked and moving vehicle; Does not occur on high beam
Odometer and speedometer inaccuracy
Odometer reading approximately 3 percent low. Speedometer also reading low at similar percentage. Owner states Toyota claims 8–10 percent variance is within DOT tolerance and that manufacturer cannot adjust electronics to improve accuracy. Described as safety concern during highway driving.
When: No timing or mileage provided; owner had checked readings on multiple vehicles previously
Symptoms owners cite: Odometer reads approximately 3 percent low; Speedometer reads low at approximately same percentage; Readings unusually inaccurate compared to owner's experience with other vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota states no corrections can be made to the system
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota states 8–10 percent variance is within DOT tolerances; manufacturer states they cannot adjust electronics that drive odometer and speedometer
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 Lexus rx350 (na). The contact stated that when the rear door was opened, the chime did not indicate that door was open while the contact was reversing out of the garage; the vehicle door crashed into the garage door and was damaged. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not equipped with a warning chime. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that someone from…
Key fob will not open all doors. Inside master window assemby will not open all doors. Master assembly replaced by Toyota 5/28/15 at 25,941 miles. Problem has returned on or about 10/24/16 at 38,000+miles. Problem is now intermittent and the dealer could not duplicate.
Headlights flickering constantly and at times one or both will go completely off. Will have to manually turn off and then turn on again. Both will shine steady for about 2 minutes and then began to flicker again. This happens when parked or when in motion. This only applies to when the lights are on low beam. (this has been happening for a few months).
Occasionally, the vehicle will not lock when I use the fob or use the drivers manual locking switch on the door. This is happening when I exit the vehicle. I hit the fob lock button and the car beeps once, but the front drivers door does not lock, and the door lock does not move to a locking position, it stays in the unlocked position. When I hit the lock button on the fob, the car beeps 8…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v047000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 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 electrical problem on the 2011 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 27,000 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 79,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2011/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.