KnownCarProblems2008 Toyota Avalon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 349 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Avalon, most often about the lights (60% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Avalon model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2008 Toyota Avalon problems
Lights
209 complaints · 60%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the headlights malfunctioned while he was driving. The contact stated that after playing around with the switch, the headlights turned back on. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Progressively worsening problem with headlights spontaneously shutting off. Initially just the left headlight, then the right headlight, and now on multiple occasions, both headlights simultaneously the bright lights stop working all together, leaving me with no lights or brights. It happens most of time when the…
Speed control
45 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. The vehicle sped off after being stopped at a traffic light. When the accelerator was pressed the vehicle rapidly moved forward about 2000 feet. The contact stated when he pressed the ignition button the engine…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while parking in a garage, the vehicle suddenly accelerated which caused it to crash into the garage. The contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not stop. The contact called the manufacturer and was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized…
Electrical
44 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, software.
On june 24, 2011 we took a trip to arkansas. As we were going in the mountains, we found that we had no high beams on our headlights. On returning to fresno we took it into the Toyota dealer and he informed US that the headlight had exploded and would cost $2500 to replace. After a discussion with the dealer and…
The low beam headlights (hid bulbs) go out intermittently while driving. We have replaced the hid bulbs and the problem has continued. The vehicle has been taken to a local Toyota dealer for evaluation. They have been unable to say definitively what the issue is. They want to change the bulbs (total cost of $800) in…
Body and structure
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the rear lip spoiler detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine what caused the failure but stated that the spoiler needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure…
In the sunlight the dashboard has emitted a sticky substance, which is reflected onto the front window, impairing the drivers vision. Toyota is not doing anything about the problem, per their representative.
Steering
17 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
The lever that locks the telescoping steering wheel in place loosens/disengages, resulting in the steering wheel 'lurching' forward. I have experienced this issue multiple times now. The lever is underneath the steering wheel column and engages/tightens by pushing it up toward the steering wheel. The lever engages by…
Steering wheel collapse while driving. Tilt and telescoping steering wheel lock failure. Happens more frequently as automobile age. Potentially cause for an accident. Found other complaints at www.aboutautomoble.com. Automotive vibration causes lever to loosen and hang downward. Driver entering or exiting vehicle knee…
Transmission
13 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
2008 Toyota Avalon. Stopped in traffic, foot on brake. Without warning, car accelerated forward. Pushed harder on brake and car nose-dived and collided with pu truck stopped ahead. Avalon front bumper went under rear bumper of pu . Air bag did not deploy. Floor mat still in place. $5600 damage to Avalon, none to pu.
2008 Toyota Avalon _ sudden acceleration when attempting to move car up slightly from rest while turning into a parking lot. Car was going less than 10 MPH when engine revved violently & car accelerated uncontrollably & crashed into barriers & head on into a brick wall. Car had to be towed to body shop & has heavy…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles.
The starter button will not work about 1 out of every 50 tries. This is a no key ignition car. This condition started at about 20,000 miles. Doesn't respond to procedure in car's hand book. Toyota dealer says nothing wrong with car. Toyota dealer in redlands california.
When coming back from a short trip I noticed that the right side low beam headlamp was out. Then one day the light was on again then the next it is out. Now it rarely comes on so I.called my Toyota dealer and they said it would be at least $200 for new low beam light bulb. I then took it to a reputable repair shop and…
Visibility and wipers
11 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system.
The rear window sunshade comes up uncontrollably and will not go down. I was driving at night and the sunscreen came up blocking my view of cars behind me and was extremely distracting. The system malfunctions and there is no way to get the shade down. A dealer suggested that if I can craw in the back seat and…
The dashboard gets sticky on sunny days and the surface becomes shiney which then reflects off the windshield. The reflection (on the windshield) significantly obstructs drivers view of oncoming traffic or pedestrians on sunny days. Driver is blinded or it is impossible to see through the reflection. This is a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Toyota Avalon recalls
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on july 14, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4runner, highlander, sequoia, and sienna, 2005-2010 avalon and tundra, 2006-2008 camry solara, 2006-2010 highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 rav4 and tacoma, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2007-2011 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in january 2015. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 prius and corolla, 2009-2011 venza, 2006-2010 avalon, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2005-2011 sienna and sequoia, 2006-2011 tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, camry, highlander, tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 rav4 and 4runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
Full defect summary
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the pontiac vibe please see 10v-018. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on february 5, 2010 and will be completed on march 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 Toyota Avalon
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Avalon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (209 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); speed control (45 complaints, typically around 23,000 miles); electrical (44 complaints, typically around 55,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2016 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Toyota Avalon?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Avalon model year since 2000, with 349 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.