When driving on the interstate speed between 60-70 MPH the car suddenly jerks to the right. I had the car checked because it felt scary (as if I would hit the car in the next lane) I had the problem checked through a reputable service center- the torque steering was off; car jerked with acceleration
2018 Toyota Avalon steering problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 4 steering complaints filed for the 2018 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
Of the 9 model years of Toyota Avalon we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I was traveling on I-294 south in the vicinity of, south highland, illinois traveling about 70 miles per hour. I was next to the median. There was a car next to me that was behind an 18 wheeler, pulling an extra trailer. The 18 wheeler swerved to miss a car and as a result of the 18 wheeler swerving, the car next to me swerved to miss the trailer; when that happened I swerved to my left…
At approximately 42000 miles with no significant issues and no front end damages, the steering failed as I was driving at highway speed (70 mph) on a 2 lane road approaching a 90 degree curve. The power steering warning light and a separate triangle warning light appeared at the same time as I felt a pop and lost power and response in the steering wheel. Thankfully, I have driven heavy power…
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v024000 (air bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH when another cut in front of them and in order to avoid hitting…
Had steering trouble with your 2018 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 steering problem on the 2018 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 29,612 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2018/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.