KnownCarProblems2009 Toyota Avalon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Avalon, most often about the lights (28% of complaints, typically around 60,500 miles). It is 13th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2009 Toyota Avalon problems
Lights
25 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the driver's side headlight failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the high intensity discharge (hid) lamp bulb needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
Turned on engine and turned on high beams. Bulbs shattered. Took to the bobby rahal dealer. Told that the extended warranty of five years had lapsed. Was under the 72000 mileage limit, however.. Had to pay $166 to just replace the bulbs. To replace the entire housing would cost $900. This is a factory design defect…
Speed control
18 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. While traveling at 75 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the contact noticed that the cruise control had deactivated. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The current and failure mileages were 16,000. Updated 7/20/10 the consumer stated when the cruise control…
When braking to a stop, just as the car finally comes to a stop, the engine revs kick up by a few hundred RPM. This is not on every occasion, but many of them ( 50% or more). Given the recent concerns raised regarding Toyota throttle control and brake software, I am becoming concerned.
Steering
18 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: column.
The steering column telescopic lock won't stay locked. You can be driving along and the steering column will collapse and become very loose. I had it happen while turning a corner and it caused me to loose temporary control. I reported it to the dealer before it went out of warranty but they advised they could not…
Shortly after purchasing my 09 Toyota Avalon, the lever that locks the telescoping steering wheel in place began falling down. Three mechanics all say it's a manufacturer defect covered by a bulletin and cannot be repaired, only replaced for over $1000. Last week a multicar accident occurred 100 ft ahead of me and…
Electrical
11 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. While driving at various speeds, the driver and passenger side headlights failed to illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head lamps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of…
My high beam and daytime running lights are both not working. The Toyota dealer acknowledged the problem and stated I need to replace the light assemblies along with a new type bulb. I see where this is a common problem with many Toyota cars and Toyota will not cover my car due to it being over their extended warranty…
Brakes
5 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
We have a 2009 Toyota Avalon, which we purchased in mid-november of 2009. We have been through two recalls already. Everytime we use the breaks and release them it makes a "thud" noise. I took it to the dealer who said he didn't know why it occurred. My wife and I are not happy with Toyota or NHTSA who should of…
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that when the brakes were applied, the vehicle wobbled and vibrated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rotors needed to be turned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
Service Brakes, Electric
5 complaints · 6%Going very slowly and heading into a curb in a parking lot, I stepped on the brake, and instead the car accelerated and stopped only when it hit a limb of a large bush. It left a dent in my front bumper. This has happened only one time.
Air bags
5 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. During brake application the vehicle lurched forward. As a consequence she rear-ended the proceeding vehicle. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 18000. Updated 1/28/10 the consumer stated she was driving slowly and when she…
After sitting in front passenger seat general air bag light came on and light for passenger airbag indicates "off". Reference NHTSA campaign number 13v014000: this covers passenger seat sensor adjustment which is probable cause in this complaint. Upon calling southeast Toyota ([]) february 20th, they indicated VIN was…
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 4%Today 16 june 2014 I cannot drive at night, no headlights functioning. I purchased a 2009 Avalon new. Had severe headlight problems from the beginning. Headlights were too dim for drive at night safely (come to find out I was driving on the fog lights only, the dim headlight would come on and then turn off so just the…
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the rear windshield shade failed to retract when the vehicle was in reverse. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 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.
Seats
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on march 21, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 tacoma, 4runner, camry, camry hybrid, prius, and rav4; model year 2009-2010 avalon, fj cruiser, and highlander hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
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 2009 Toyota Avalon
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Avalon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (25 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); speed control (18 complaints, typically around 16,000 miles); steering (18 complaints, typically around 36,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Avalon have?
- 7 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 2009 a bad year for the Toyota Avalon?
- It is 13th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints, with 91 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.