2018 Toyota Avalon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Toyota Avalon: 2 recalls, 24 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #20V012000 · 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V024000 · 2020 · 2,891,976 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (6): the most common themes are fails to deploy (4).
- Other / unknown (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (4): the most common themes are steering problems (3).
- Fuel & propulsion (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Toyota Avalon has 24 owner complaints, ranking #23 of 28 Avalon model years for complaints (well below the 122 average). Complaints peaked in 2019 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 10,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (14 complaints, 2 recalls), 2019 (71 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Toyota Avalon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2018 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Toyota Avalon problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (6), other / unknown (5), steering (4).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Avalon get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Toyota Avalon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.