2008 Toyota Avalon Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 13%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Toyota Avalon, 13% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“OEM high beam bulbs continuously explode. I’m not saying they just burn out, these bulbs shatter, and send shards of glass on the inside of the headlamp housing. I believe it’s a big safety risk, because for me, it happened while I was driving late at night in the dark where there are deer nearby. Brights are essential to see far and when you’re driving through hills, going up a hill you need your brights to extend higher than your normal lights do. This is a commonly complained about problem for the 2008-2010 models of this Toyota Avalon. …”
NHTSA complaint #11516621, filed 2023-04, 110,950 miles“I have been pulled over numerous times due to having a headlight out. However it's never blown. Once I show the officer by turning the lights off for a few seconds then back on the light is on. From reading many Toyota forums and going to a Toyota dealer, it is a faulty wiring system and to repair it will cost at least $1300.00 or more. It is a hastle as well as a safety hazard. The light doesnt stay on once turning the lights off then on. Within a few miles it goes off again and it is constantly blowing the light bulbs. …”
NHTSA complaint #11316900, filed 2020-03, 98,000 miles“I was utilizing the high beam lights periodically on a dark evening. Near the end of a 1 hour and 45 minute trip, the high beams gave a slight flicker and went out. Upon examination today, both lights had blown or shattered. I ordered new bulbs today with $35 each.”
NHTSA complaint #10574485, filed 2014-03, 96,500 miles“From the day I purchased used vehicle in 2015, I've experienced headlights that flicker and go off only to be fully illuminated by turning off then back on. Mostly, it's the driver side and sometimes the passenger side; infrequently, both headlights are affected. I've searched the internet for a solution and found hundreds of similar reports with 'solutions' ranging from simple few dollars to above $1000. My local dealer had the car on several different occasions...to no avail and was willing to 'fix' it for $1200. …”
NHTSA complaint #11280504, filed 2019-11, 90,000 miles“I own a 2008 Toyota Avalon xl, purchased 01/24/08. Recently, while turning, I hit a pothole. The alarm system started and the car accelerated. I could not get the alarm or the car to stop, even though I was braking. I finally put the car in park and turned off the key. The motor made a sound as though it was dying and finally stopped. I restarted the car and continued without further incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10310896, filed 2010-02, 13,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10132360Jun 15, 2017Warranty Policy Bulletin POL14-11: Rev Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of heat or humidity.
- 10131838Mar 22, 2017Warranty Policy Bulletin POL14-11: REVISED March 22, 2017: Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of…
- 10131837Mar 22, 2017Dealer Daily: Voluntary Extension of Warranty Coverage for Cracked and/or Sticky/Melting Dashboards (Instrument Panels) as a Result of Heat or Humidity.
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134140Jan 11, 2016Tech Tip: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 17 | 24% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 3 | 13% |
| 2015 | 4 | 10% |
| 2014 | 11 | 11% |
| 2013 | 14 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 25 | 24% |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% |
| 2009 | 11 | 12% |
| 2008 | 44 | 13% |
| 2007 | 17 | 7% |
| 2006 | 16 | 4% |
| 2005 | 17 | 7% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 6% |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
| 2000 | 11 | 6% |
| 1999 | 6 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 11% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 7 | 6% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Avalon
209 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Avalon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology