2014 Toyota Avalon Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2014 Avalon most often write about the optional pre-collision system, which several describe as braking sharply and tightening the seat belts with nothing in the road ahead, sometimes before any recall remedy was available. The rest of the sample is scattered: sunroof glass shattering, glare from chrome dash trim, a failing rear sunshade, and occasional reports of stalling or unintended acceleration. Many complaints were filed at low mileage, suggesting the issues show up early rather than after years of wear.

1. 1
   Forward collision avoidance

   Pre-collision system braking on its own

   • 33 complaints (34%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2023

   Owners describe the pre-collision system engaging with no obstacle ahead — a warning buzzer and light, hard automatic braking, and the front seat belts tightening on their own. Several say it happened on freeways or ramps at highway speed and that they were lucky no one was following closely. Complaints also describe dealers saying they could not reproduce the condition, that the system was operating to the manufacturer's standard, or waiting on recall parts; some owners had the system shut down as an interim step. Mostly reported under about 13,000 miles, often within the first year of ownership and in normal driving conditions.

   Recall 15V728000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 15V728000 was completed and what remedy was applied (software update versus system shutdown). Test the system on an open road and confirm the PCS warning light behaves normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Toyota issued recall 15v728, regarding the pcs system on our Avalon. That was last november, 2015. Toyota has failed to provide a fix, and we have been without this very expensive important safety feature for over half a year. Toyota's notice stated that if Toyota has failed or is unable to remedy within a reasonable time, you may submit a complaint to the administrator , national highway traffic safety administration. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10863181, filed 2016-05, 6,000 miles

   “Driving down road.. No cars in front of me no objects in road. Clear sunny day when the pre-collision system alarm sounded and the pcs indicator light lite. The ABS engaged. And the car came to a complete and sudden halt. Luckily noone was behind me, because if there was, a rear end collision could have occured. This issue did occur to a lessor extent on two prior occasions (about 1 month ago) but the car did not come to a complete halt as it did on 7/6. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10609721, filed 2014-07, 3,900 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Chrome dash trim glare in sunlight

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 195 mi at 0.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2023

   Owners report that the polished chrome trim around the instrument cluster and center vents reflects midday sun straight into the driver's eyes. Complaints describe being temporarily blinded and having to shield their eyes or brake suddenly; a few note the information center also washes out in direct sun. When raised with dealers, owners say they were told the vehicle was built to standard or the design could not be changed. Usually noted within the first few thousand miles, on sunny days with the sun high overhead.

   What to check: Drive the car on a bright day with the sun overhead and see whether the dash trim reflects into your line of sight from the driver's seat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dash chrome trim. On every sunny day the bright work on the dash reflect the sunlight in to your eyes.this temporarily blinds you. I have complained to dealer. I was told there is no problem. I have seen other complaints on the internet. So I am not the only one. I have read on the 2016 models they have removed or dulled t hetrim.”

   NHTSA complaint #10901997, filed 2016-08, 10,000 miles

   “Few days after purchasing brand new 2014 Toyota Avalon, noticed a highly intense mirror like reflection of the sun coming off the very thick shiny polished chrome in the dashboard that surrounds the instrument cluster and the AC vents in the center. 3 spots in the dash where I get severe glare. It happens usually midday when it's sunny outside and sun is overhead. The blinding light is so bad I must put my hand in a position to obstruct the view from my eyes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10598004, filed 2014-06, 120 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Sunroof glass shattering while driving

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 11,144 mi at 3.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2019

   Complaints describe the sunroof glass breaking suddenly with a loud bang on the highway, leaving a hole with jagged edges and glass fragments between the panels, with no impact or object seen beforehand. In most cases the interior shade was closed, which owners say kept glass out of the cabin. Owners report replacing the glass, sometimes through insurance, and one notes water entering through the sunroof in heavy weather. Typically reported between roughly 11,000 and 71,000 miles, at highway speeds in mild, dry weather.

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass closely for chips, star cracks, or previous replacement, and ask whether the panel has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on a highway, the glass sunroof suddenly exploded. Fortunately the shade was closed, because the glass broke into large shards. The repair was done by a local Toyota dealer and was paid in full by my insurance. My reason for this report is to call a manufacturing default to your attention.”

   NHTSA complaint #10981411, filed 2017-04, 8,937 miles

   “While driving on the street, the glass on the sun roof suddenly shattered with a loud explosion with large shards of glass, the shade was closed. Thank god, this happened today. Will take it in tomorrow”

   NHTSA complaint #11217672, filed 2019-06, 71,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 26,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2020

   Complaints describe front, side, and rollover impacts where the airbags did not deploy, in some cases with occupants reporting injuries. Several owners mention the pre-collision warning light having come on beforehand, and one references a Takata-related recall. The vehicles were typically towed and not diagnosed, so the cause is not established in the complaints. Reported between roughly 14,000 and 85,000 miles, in crashes at various speeds.

   Recall 20V024000

   What to check: Check for open recalls by VIN, including the airbag control unit campaign 20V024000, and confirm the airbag warning light comes on at startup and then goes out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On august 17, 2018 I was traveling westbound on il route 83 and I entered an intersection at il route 83 and torrance avenue at lynwood, il on a green traffic signal. A driver without a drivers license was traveling south on torrance avenue and entered the intersection on a red signal. I applied the brakes on my car but was unable to stop and my car hit the other drivers car in the side. The airbags in my car did not deploy.”

   NHTSA complaint #11301817, filed 2020-01, 85,000 miles

   “Avalon was impacted on front passenger side by a vehicle traveling about 40 MPH. The other vehicle was a 2006 chrysler town and country van. The chrysler airbags deployed. Toyota Avalon airbags did not deploy. Driver suffered severe bruising and contusions on clavicle and chest. The Avalon was considered a total loss by the insurance company.”

   NHTSA complaint #10845542, filed 2016-03, 14,600 miles

Buying note. Have a dealer run the VIN for open recalls, especially the pre-collision system and airbag control unit campaigns, and confirm what remedy was applied. A test drive on a sunny day and a check of the sunroof, rear sunshade, and warning lights will surface most of what owners describe here.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.