2009 Toyota Avalon problems and complaints

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Avalon. The most-reported areas: Exterior Lighting (25), Steering (18), Vehicle Speed Control (18).

Key takeaways

  • 91 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 10 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 6 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Exterior Lighting2527%
Steering1820%
Vehicle Speed Control1820%
Electrical System1112%
Service Brakes1112%
Air Bags55%
Electric55%
Structure44%
Visibility/Wiper44%
Hydraulic44%
Unknown Or Other33%
Engine22%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2009 Toyota Avalon 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Steering - filed 2025-09-20

The steering latch to adjust steering wheel unlocks while I’m driving causing my steering wheel to drop literally while I’m driving.

Structure - filed 2023-10-17

While driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon on a sunny day, I could not see clearly through my windshield due to the intense sunlight reflection from my dashboard. Upon searching the Internet, I see this is an ongoing issue with my car model. The manufacturer does not provide any remedy to address this issue and I feel very u...

Exterior Lighting - filed 2023-06-07

When driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon my headlights sporadically go out. Mostly on the drivers side. I have replaced the headlight on 3 separate occasions with in the last 3 Years and each time it cost me $185.00 for labor and the headlight. I also got stopped by the POLICE for it! Now in 2023 the right head light goes o...

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More for the 2009 Toyota Avalon

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.