2018 Toyota Avalon recalls and problems

2 recalls and 24 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Avalon.

2
recalls
24
owner complaints
7
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2018 Toyota Avalon recalls

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

NHTSA campaign 20V024000 · reported January 17, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 2,891,976 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
The risk
In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 20V012000 · reported January 13, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 1,830,752 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 25, 2025 · Air bags · crash reported

Involved in a 2 vehicle accident on October 26th. My car is totaled and so is the other car. No airbags deployed and my drivers side seat belt failed to lock in the accident. I was injured and taken by ambulance to hospital.

Jul 13, 2023 · Vehicle speed control · crash reported

Date of safety issue: July 12, 2023 Location: Piper Glen Shopping Center, Rea Road, Charlotte NC (destination was Run For Your Life at 6416 Rea Road - within the shopping center). Time: Approximately sometime between 1:30 and 2:00 ET Police Report Complaint # - […] On July 12, 2023 I entered a parking lot at a busy…

Jan 22, 2023 · Structure

Hello, My name is […]. I bought my car from Longo Toyota in El Monte about 15 months ago. The car was certified preowned and had a Carfax report with no accident reported history. That is exactly why I bought the car, because this was going to be my family car. So I bought it and have been driving around my daughter…

Dec 19, 2022 · Air bags · crash reported

Air Bag did not deploy during a major front end collision. Resulted in total loss of the vehicle.

Nov 28, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system

Intermittently, unpredictably, for several seconds at a time, the engine almost quits, especially when accelerating So far, it has not happened in heavy traffic, but if it did, it would create a possibly major safety hazard. I have not taken it to a dealer yet. Just learned about the fuel pump problem that is…

Avalon model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2015 24270
2016 32321
2017 21420
2018 22470
2019 47140
2020 31010
2021 22110

Across all years, the 2006 Avalon has the most complaints (360). All Toyota Avalon years →

Questions

Does the 2018 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 Toyota Avalon, the most recent reported on January 17, 2020 (Air bags: air bag/restraint control module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Avalon?
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (6 complaints), followed by unknown or other (5).
How many 2018 Toyota Avalon complaints mention a crash or fire?
7 of 24 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 4 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 25, 2025.