2019 Toyota Avalon Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Avalon most often describe stalling or rough running tied to the low-pressure fuel pump, and many complaints were filed while the fuel-pump recalls had no remedy available yet. A second recurring theme is low-speed transmission harshness and hesitation from the 8-speed automatic, plus a cluster of electronic-driver-assist complaints (adaptive cruise, pre-collision braking, blind-spot and backup camera warnings). Many complaints were filed in the first few thousand miles, though transmission and sensor reports also appear at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Stalling or rough running linked to the fuel pump

   • 15 complaints (21%)
   • median 6,240 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2022

   Owners describe the car stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes with no restart, along with rough idling, hesitation and the check engine light. Several reports note the fuel pump continuing to run after the car was shut off, or a humming from the rear of the car hours later. Many of these complaints were filed around the two fuel-pump recalls, with owners reporting that the dealer had no remedy part available yet. Mostly reported in the first several thousand miles, with filings clustering in 2019-2021 while the recalls were open.

   Recall 20V012000Recall 20V682000

   What to check: Ask whether both fuel-pump recalls (20V012000 and 20V682000) were completed and keep proof of the repair. Listen for the pump running with the engine off, and note any rough running or stalling on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fuel pump failed, my 2019 Toyota Avalon stalled in traffic putting everyone in harms way. And there was no way to get to safety, many were at risk, why? The car was in motion and stopped! It was a turn affecting drivers behind me, in front of me, involving traffic on two streets of an intersection.”

   NHTSA complaint #11323813, filed 2020-05, 6,000 miles

   “Nothing has happened yet, but I have a new car, 4800 miles on it, 3/17/20 I rec'd a recall notice because its fuel injection system, Toyota says, may suddenly stop working while I am driving and I won't be able to restart the car assuming I haven't been killed. I do not want a car with this problem and Toyota says they have no fix currently! I have written to their chief legal counsel for a replacement of my faulty auto with a new vehicle (not the same model with the problem) of a model of comparable value. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11319947, filed 2020-04, 4,750 miles
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Cruise control and pre-collision braking acting unexpectedly

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 8,500 mi at 0.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report adaptive cruise control dropping out or the car braking on its own, including sudden automatic emergency braking at highway speed and stops that did not respond to a vehicle ahead. Others describe the pre-collision or lane-departure warning appearing at startup, sometimes repeatedly, and one report notes an accelerator-and-brake warning that cut acceleration. Complaints often say the dealer could not reproduce the condition or gave an explanation the owner did not accept. Reported across a wide mileage range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of miles, both in clear weather and in rain or snow.

   What to check: Test adaptive cruise and pre-collision systems on a highway drive if possible, and check the multi-information display for stored warning history. Ask whether any driver-assist sensor calibration or software update has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This incident has happened twice in three years. Hence it is a very rare occurrence. Both times involved the same events. Cruise control was on. I was traveling in the left lane of the interstate highway, approaching an 18-wheel truck which was in the right lane. When I was approximately 50 feet from the rear of the truck, the truck began to enter my lane. I suspect I was in the trucker's blind spot. My car did not sense the truck. The cruise control did not disengage. The brakes did not engage. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11417486, filed 2021-05

   “On two occasions, 8 months apart, our car started braking on its own while driving in traffic. In both instances, the on-screen alerts indicated the LDA and simultaneously the check engine light. Neither time were we trying to switch lanes. In fact, the first time we were on a one-way street. In both instances, we were able to cruise over to a parking space before the car completely stopped avoiding a rear-end collision. Once we got in the space, we turned the car off and back on but it would not go forward or backward. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11760763, filed 2026-08
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh low-speed shifts and hesitation (8-speed)

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 460 mi at 1.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe jerking or a hard downshift at low speeds, especially in stop-and-go city driving, along with hesitation before the car engages gear and occasional whining. Several owners say the dealer could not duplicate the condition, while others report the transmission was replaced. Some describe the behavior appearing or worsening after a fluid change. Reported from very low mileage up through the 70,000-mile range, most often in low-speed city driving.

   What to check: Drive the car at 0-35 mph in stop-and-go traffic and feel for jerking or delayed engagement. Ask for transmission service records and whether the fluid was changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought this car about 5 months ago and everything was fine until a month ago. Every time I'm driving less than 35 MPH I feel a rough down shift is not that bad, but I notice it. It only happens when I'm driving slow, more specifically in the city.Toyota hasn't sent anything regarding this problem. I thought it would go away but it hasn't.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309436, filed 2020-02, 20 miles

   “These issues occur consistently while driving on a local side streets at low speeds, between 0-35 MPH. (1) when executing a stop and go either at a stop light or a stop sign, my 2019 Avalon xle emits a jerking motion before it decides to kick into gear. The jerking can easily be felt inside the vehicle. There are multiple drivers experiencing this jerking . I thought the jerking was occurring while the vehicle was warning up, but jerking occurs at all times. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11282119, filed 2019-11, 900 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   High-pitched noise from speakers at startup

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 6.0 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report a very loud, high-pitched squeal from the speakers when the car is started, sometimes with SOS lights flashing, and describe it as painful and recurring. Several say the fix was traced to the data communication module, and complaints note the repair cost was quoted to them. Related reports describe remote-connect features and over-the-air updates not working. Reported at a range of mileages; the noise occurs at startup and may not repeat on every start.

   Recall 18V6850002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the car several times and listen for a squeal from the speakers, and confirm remote-connect and SOS features work. Ask whether the communication module has been replaced or any audio TSB applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When starting the vehicle, an extremely high pitched noise is emitted from the speakers. The safety of my young child is at risk every time I start the car because this could cause irreparable hearing loss. This is a known issue across many Toyota models as I've found through online forums. Toyota wants $1,200 to fix the DCM Module when it is a manufacturing issue and not caused by the consumer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11615414, filed 2024-09

   “After troubleshooting, the issue with my car cannot communicate with my mobile app through Toyota remote connect, cannot update vehicle software, and after a $130 diagnostic fee, the dealer states the DCM module is bad and needs replacing. My question is this is a safety issue, correct?”

   NHTSA complaint #11615381, filed 2024-09

Buying note. Check that both fuel-pump recalls were completed and get the paperwork, since stalling was the most common owner complaint. A longer test drive covering low-speed traffic and a highway stretch with cruise control on is the best way to screen for transmission harshness and driver-assist behavior before buying.

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.