THE REAR SUNSHADE IS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED AND DOES NOT GO DOWN WHEN THE CAR IN PUT IN REVERSE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION AT NIGHT WHEN VISIBILITY IS POOR. THERE ARE A PLETHORA OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUNSHADE ON THE INTERNET. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR, THEY ONLY REPLACE THE DEVICE FOR $1000, AND TH…
2011 toyota Avalon visibility problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$350
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Failure of the Sun shade in the rear causes a problem with visability. Stays stuck in up or down position. Creates a loud distracting grinding noise when in operation and highly reduces visibility through the rear window. Particularly when it is stuck in the half way position.
I HAVE A 2011 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED WITH A POWER REAR SUNSCREEN. THE CONTROL BUTTONS FOR THE SUNSCREEN ARE POSITIONED ADJACENT TO THE TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD LOCATED NEAR THE LEFT KNEE OF THE DRIVER WHICH IS HIDDEN BY THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING I INADVERTENTLY PUSHED THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON INSTEAD OF THE SUNSCREEN BUTTON AND THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN. I WOULD THINK THAT THE T…
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2011 toyota Avalon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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