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2011 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2011 Toyota Avalon has 106 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and one recall for a trunk sub-woofer that can overheat[2]. Owners in our sample describe loose steering columns[3], sudden surges when parking[4] and a rear sunshade that blocks the view[5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 106 complaints for this model year[1]. 14 mention a crash, none a fire, 6 mention injuries and none a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Here are the largest groups.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering[3] | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System[8] | 25 | 3 | 0 |
| Speed Control[4] | 11 | 8 | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other[9] | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/Wiper[5] | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes[10] | 8 | 2 | 1 |
Steering. This is the biggest group, with a median mileage at failure of 28,000[3]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe a loose steering wheel or column. Several say the telescoping lever slips so the wheel drops toward the dash. Some mention cracking or popping noises when turning[3].
Speed control. The group is small, but 8 of its 11 complaints mention a crash[4]. The median mileage at failure is 15,000[4]. In the sample we read, owners describe the car surging or accelerating suddenly at low speed, often while parking or pulling into a garage. Some say it happened with a foot on the brake[4]. The sample is small and these are owner accounts, not confirmed causes.
Electrical system. The median mileage at failure is 38,800[8]. Part of the sample is about the recall below. Owners also describe power door locks that sometimes do not respond to the key fob or the door switch[8].
Rear sunshade. In the visibility group, owners in our sample describe a rear window sunshade that sticks up or grinds and blocks the view behind the car. Some say the repair is costly[5]. Visibility is a separate group with 5 more complaints and no crashes or injuries[11].
Brakes (8 complaints) and Structure (6 complaints, no crashes) are smaller groups[10][12].
Recalls
NHTSA lists one recall for this model year.
- Sub-woofer amplifier (15V047). Filed January 28, 2015[2], for Avalons built from February 9, 2010 to October 22, 2012[2]. It covers 51,495 vehicles[2]. The sub-woofer speaker in the trunk can have an intermittent electrical short that damages the audio amplifier. That can let current flow to the sub-woofer all the time, and the sub-woofer can overheat, which raises the risk of fire. The fix is free. Dealers replace the audio amplifier and add a protective cover around the sub-woofer. The recall began July 1, 2015[2].
In our sample of electrical complaints, some owners said the repair part was not available when they went in during 2015. A few had the sub-woofer disconnected as a temporary step[8]. If you own one, ask Toyota or a dealer whether the repair has been done on your car.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the Avalon with the 3.5L 6-cylinder engine and Automatic (S6), front-wheel drive, at 20 city, 29 highway and 23 combined MPG[7]. It takes regular fuel[7]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $2,900[7]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
In the NHTSA 5-Star ratings for the 4 DR FWD version, the rollover rating is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 11.1%[13]. We have no other star ratings in our data.
Engine and size
These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the XLS 4-door sedan and can differ slightly from US models[14].
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Length[14] | 197 in |
| Width[14] | 73 in |
| Height[14] | 58 in |
| Wheelbase[14] | 111 in |
| Curb weight[14] | 3,560 lb |
The EPA listing is for a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine[7].
How 2011 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 80 | 0 |
| 1996 | 109 | 0 |
| 1997 | 125 | 1 |
| 1998 | 178 | 1 |
| 1999 | 92 | 1 |
| 2000 | 173 | 2 |
| 2001 | 134 | 2 |
| 2002 | 116 | 1 |
| 2003 | 293 | 2 |
| 2004 | 205 | 3 |
| 2005 | 228 | 7 |
| 2006 | 360 | 7 |
| 2007 | 243 | 6 |
| 2008 | 349 | 6 |
| 2009 | 91 | 7 |
| 2010 | 46 | 7 |
| 2011 | 106 | 1 |
| 2012 | 30 | 4 |
| 2013 | 160 | 4 |
| 2014 | 114 | 4 |
| 2015 | 53 | 2 |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 |
| 2018 | 25 | 2 |
| 2019 | 72 | 5 |
| 2020 | 10 | 4 |
| 2021 | 27 | 2 |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 |
NHTSA shows 106 complaints and 1 recall for the 2011 Avalon[6]. The nearby years look like this.
So 2011 has more complaints than 2009, 2010 and 2012, and fewer than 2013. It also has fewer recalls than the years next to it. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the gaps as rough.[6]
Should you buy a used 2011 Avalon?
The file for this year is modest, with 106 complaints[1] and one recall[2]. Before you buy, check with Toyota that the sub-woofer recall repair was done on that exact car. Test the steering column, since steering is the largest complaint group at 31[3], and try the rear sunshade and the door locks too. The speed control reports are few at 11, but 8 involve a crash[4], so ask about the car's history. The themes we describe come from a small sample of complaint texts, so treat them as things to check, not as a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Avalon?
- Steering has the most complaints at 31[3]. Electrical System follows with 25[8] and Speed Control with 11[4]. In the samples we read, owners describe a loose steering column, door locks that do not respond and sudden surges when parking.
- Does the 2011 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
- Yes, one. Recall 15V047 covers a trunk sub-woofer that can overheat and raise fire risk. Dealers replace the amplifier and add a protective cover for free[2].
- How many MPG does the 2011 Toyota Avalon get?
- EPA rates the 3.5L 6-cylinder automatic at 20 city, 29 highway and 23 combined MPG[7].
- Is the 2011 Toyota Avalon safe?
- NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with an 11.1% rollover risk[13]. Our data has no other star ratings.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Toyota Avalon (14 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V047, filed January 28, 2015: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- 31 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Avalon model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 25 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,222). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,805). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALON 4DR SEDAN XLS: length 197 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,560 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov