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 ↗2012 Toyota Avalon cruise control problems
severe 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 3 cruise control complaints filed for the 2012 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
Of the 12 model years of Toyota Avalon we track for cruise control problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 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.
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.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2nd complaint (first complaint - #10522765) - on july 2, 2013, around 5:20 p.m., my fourth incident of brake failure occurred. I was going about 5 miles and applied brakes. Brakes failed and engine sounded like it was racing. I crashed into a the rear of a sedan which was stopped. No injuries were sustained. We were able to drive the cars to a development to exchange insurance information.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota avalon . The contact stated when she came to a sudden stop she was crashed into from the rear by another vehicle. The engine rpms then increased and the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle as the service brakes failed. There were no injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and shifted into drive when it suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact crashed into a scooter, a residential garage door and a wall. The contact was not injured. The engine rpms continued to race until the vehicle was shifted into neutral and stopped. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and it…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 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 3 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 23,950 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/2012/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.