2018 Toyota Avalon Problems
Shopping for a used 2018 Toyota Avalon? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 24 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2018 Toyota Avalon has 24 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview · Full report from $12.95.
2018 Toyota Avalon Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2018 Toyota Avalon trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2018 Toyota Avalon Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Toyota Avalon has 24 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Avalon
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 24
- Crash-related complaints
- 7
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 40
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 40 / 39
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2018 Toyota Avalon problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Uncategorized Issues
Steering Defects
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Uncategorized Issues, Steering Defects. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2018 Toyota Avalon?
The 2018 Toyota Avalon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2018 Toyota Avalon
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls related to airbags.
- Check steering components for any reported issues during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for fuel/propulsion system repairs.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls related to airbags.
- Check steering components for any reported issues during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for fuel/propulsion system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Toyota Avalon, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 24 NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Toyota Avalon, issues appear concentrated in airbag malfunctions, steering defects, and fuel/propulsion system problems. Crash-related complaints account for 7 of the total, but the low complaint volume limits confidence in broader trends.
- Airbag malfunctions are the most reported component with 6 complaints.
- Steering defects account for 4 complaints.
- Fuel/propulsion system issues are noted in 3 complaints.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Steering Defects
- Fuel/Propulsion System
Full breakdown
All 2018 Toyota Avalon complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Avalon. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 5 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Toyota Avalon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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.
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 # - [XXX] On July 12,…
Hello, My name is [XXX]. 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 …
Air Bag did not deploy during a major front end collision. Resulted in total loss of the vehicle.
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 abou…
At approximately 42000 miles with no significant issues and no front end damages, the steering failed as I was driving at highway speed (70 mph) on a 2 lane road approaching a 90 degree curve. The power steering warning light and a separate triangle warning light appeared at the …
My car check engine light lane sensor light and Lad light came on and card had rough handling i took it to Toyota of plano and they worked on charged me $650 so i was was happy they fixed the problem after one day the lights came back they said it was the rodent damage a Rat che…
THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT APPEAR TO WORK. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN CARS IN FRONT OF US HAVE SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES, THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT RESPOND. WE OWN A 2016 PRIUS WITH THE SAME FEATURE AND IT ALWAYS RESPONDS ' FLASHING A WARNING AND APPLYING T…
I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY RADIO HANGING UP PHONE CALLS AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. AFTER TAKING MY CAR SEVERAL TIME I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY CAR AND LEFT IT OVER NIGHT MARCH 18TH AND MARCH 19TH. IT HAD A CHARGING LIGHT ON SO THEY SAID IT'S BEST IF IT S…
MY AUTO HIGH BEAMS DAILY FAIL TO WORK CORRECTLY DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING, THE LOW BEAM WOULD BE ON, THE TURN SIGNAL CONTROL LEVER WILL BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE DASH PANEL IS SHOWING A HEADLIGHT WITH A WORD "AUTO" WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE HIGH BEAMS …
I OWN A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON THAT IS SUBJECT TO RECALL FOR A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE CAR IN 8/3/2020 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT FUEL PUMP IN PARTS AND THAT IT WILL BE LATE SEPT. OR OCT. BEFORE THEY HAVE THE CORRECT FUEL…
CHECKING ON THE STATUS OF THE FUEL PUMP RECALL?? WAS SUPPOSED TO GET A NOTICE BY MAY BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE YET. I ENTERED THE 17 DIGIT VIN NUMEBER IN YOUR FORM BUT GOT NO RESPONSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) AFTER A VIN SEARCH WAS PERFORMED ONLINE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH NHTSA HOTLINE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART FOR THE RE…
WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE SPEED BETWEEN 60-70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKS TO THE RIGHT. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BECAUSE IT FELT SCARY (AS IF I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE) I HAD THE PROBLEM CHECKED THROUGH A REPUTABLE SERVICE CENTER- THE TORQUE STEERING WAS OFF; CAR JER…
I WAS TRAVELING ON I-294 SOUTH IN THE VICINITY OF, SOUTH HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS NEXT TO THE MEDIAN. THERE WAS A CAR NEXT TO ME THAT WAS BEHIND AN 18 WHEELER, PULLING AN EXTRA TRAILER. THE 18 WHEELER SWERVED TO MISS A CAR AND AS A RESULT OF …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED. THE PASSE…
2018 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS THAT DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTO ACCIDENT. *LD *JS
IN DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR DOES NOT ACT AS DESCRIBED ON PAGE 237 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE MANUAL STATES EVEN WITHOUT CANCELING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SET SPEED CAN BE INCREASED BY FIRST ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE TO THE DESIRED SPEED AND THEN PUSHING THELEVER DOWN …
THE BACK UP CAMERA DISPLAY CLEARLY SHOWS THE REAR LICENSE PLATE. VEHICLE PURCHASED MAY 25, 2018. THE CAMERA AND DISPLAY WORKED FINE UNTIL 4/23/2019, DID NOT SHOW THE REAR LICENSE PLATE. BILL WRIGHT SERVICE OF BAKERSFIELD, CA STATED THAT THIS WAS 'NORMAL' AND REFUSED TO CONSIDER…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Toyota Avalon.
Safety recalls
2018 Toyota Avalon recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Toyota Avalon. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2018 Toyota Avalon buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Toyota Avalon reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 24 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Toyota Avalon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota Avalon?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (6 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (5 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (4 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Toyota Avalon?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Toyota Avalon?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Toyota Avalon, NHTSA complaints include 7 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 24 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Toyota Avalon. A major recall area is AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Toyota Avalon?▾
The 2018 Toyota Avalon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
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.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Toyota Avalon based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.