2009 TOYOTA AVALON Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Avalon. This model year has 91 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Headlight/Taillight Failures.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2009 Toyota Avalon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Steering Defects
Unintended Acceleration
Considering a 2009 Toyota Avalon?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Toyota Avalon. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 25 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 18 | 6 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 11 | 3 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electric | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Avalon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 91 most recent complaints
The steering latch to adjust steering wheel unlocks while I’m driving causing my steering wheel to drop literally while I’m driving.
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…
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!…
The steering wheel telescoping lever is faulty in that it will loosen in its own causing the steering wheel to lunge forward toward the dash unexpectedly with little pressure while driving.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The …
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. , DISCOVERED THAT BOTH LIGHT BULBS HAD SHATTERED INSIDE THE HEAD LAMP HOUSING. DEALER & TOYOTA USA CONFIRMS THAT TOYOTA HAS CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING DESIGN THAT ACCOMODATES A DIFFERENT HIGH BEAM BULB THAT WILL NO…
IT HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD WHICH IS ALSO SHINY. IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS IT DISTRACTS THE VISIBILITY.
THE MANUAL LOCK MECHANISM FOR TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL WILL UNLOCK ITSELF WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION & SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY HAZARD!
THE TELESCOPIC STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT LEVER WILL NOT STAY SECURE AND COMES LOOSE FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING ALLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN TO COLLAPSE IN OR PULL OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I REPORTED TO MY TOYOTA DEALER (GILROY TOYOTA - GILROY, CA) IN JULY OF 2019 WHEN TAKING…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE BUTTON FOR THE HEATED SEAT IN THE OFF POSITION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE T…
THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A SUBTLE VIBRATION BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY NOISE. THE NEXT DAY THE VIBRATION NOISE WAS A LITTLE WORSE. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I QUESTIONED AT UNDER 60000 MILES, THE SHRUGGED. 6964.08 DOLLARS LATER AND 4 DAYS, NO…
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE AT 70 MPH TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED.
VSC & ENGINE CHECK LIGHT LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY; THIS TIME AT 154K MILES. I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED AT A COUPLE OF DEALERSHIPS WITH NO RESOLUTION TO ISSUE.
A POWER REAR WINDOW SUNSHADE IS AN OPTION THAT IS DESIGNED TO BE RETRACTABLE. A PUSH BUTTON SWITCH BELOW THE DASHBOARD IS SUPPOSED TO TOGGLE THE PERFORATED SUNSHADE TO THE RAISED AND RETRACTED POSITION. ONCE THE SUNSHADE IS RAISED NORMALLY, IT CANNOT BE RETRACTED AGAIN. ANY ATTEM…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXI…
THE BRIGHT LIGHTS DO NOT WORK DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR RECALL BECAUSE THEY ADDED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOT ALL OWNERS NOTIFIED. IT IS COST PROGIBITIVE YO REPAIR, SO MANY MANY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF DRIVE WITHOUT BENEFIT OF HIGH BEAMS, A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN THE DARK, THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING TURNED OFF. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO VIEW THE ROAD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE CONTACT HAD TO FLIP THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF A FE…
IN A JUNE 21 "T- BONE" COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS HIT BY AN SUV ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON US 20 IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, NONE OF THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY TO MY LEFT RIB CAGE (11 OF 12 RIBS EITHER BROKEN OR CRACKED). THE SUV HAD RUN A STOP …
I JUST PURCHASED A 2009 AVALON AND NOTICED THE HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT WORKING. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY LIMITED THE WARRANTY ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE TO ONLY 76K MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS 97K MILES. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND NOT A WARRANTY EXTENSION AS IT CAUSES A …
HIGH BEAM LIGHT BULB SHATTERED, NO HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. POSSIBLE HAZARD FOR FIRE OR ACCIDENT AT NIGHT.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Toyota Avalon.
Recalls for 2009 Toyota Avalon
7 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Avalon. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2009 Toyota Avalon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Toyota Avalon reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2009 Toyota Avalon has 91 NHTSA owner complaints, 10 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Headlight/Taillight Failures (25 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Avalon?▾
#1: Headlight/Taillight Failures (25 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (18 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (18 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Toyota Avalon?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Toyota Avalon?▾
The 2009 Toyota Avalon has 10 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 91 total NHTSA complaints. 6 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?▾
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Toyota Avalon. The largest issue: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Toyota Avalon?▾
The 2009 Toyota Avalon has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Headlight/Taillight Failures issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Avalon reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2009 Toyota Avalon
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.