2009 Toyota Avalon recalls and problems

The 2009 Toyota Avalon has 7 safety recalls and 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
91
Crashes / fires
10 / 1
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Toyota Avalon vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 Toyota Avalon recalls

Recall 16V-396: Seats

Reported Jun 2, 2016 · 7,749 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

Recall 14V-743: Seats

Reported Nov 19, 2014 · 3,233 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Recall 13V-014: Seats, Air Bags

Reported Jan 16, 2013 · 3,235 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Recall 10V-035: Equipment

Reported Feb 3, 2010 · 271,417 vehicles affected · GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

Problem: Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

Recall 10V-036: Equipment

Reported Feb 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles affected · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Problem: Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Recall 10V-017: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Jan 21, 2010 · 2,230,661 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (Without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.

Risk: The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the pontiac vibe please see 10v-018. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on february 5, 2010 and will be completed on march 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall 09V-388: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Oct 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

2009 Toyota Avalon problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting25
Vehicle Speed Control18
Steering18
Electrical System11
Service Brakes, Electric5
Air Bags5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Visibility/Wiper4
Structure4
Unknown or Other3
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility2
Power Train2

Most reported parts

  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 2
  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 1
  • Electrical System › Horn — 1
  • Steering › Column — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 1
  • Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 49,920 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2009 Toyota Avalon complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Sep 20, 2025
The steering latch to adjust steering wheel unlocks while I’m driving causing my steering wheel to drop literally while I’m driving.
Structure · reported Oct 17, 2023
While driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon on a sunny day, I could not see clearly through my windshield due to the intense sunlight reflection from my dashboard. Upon searching the Internet, I see this is an ongoing issue with my car model. The manufacturer does not provide any remedy to address this issue and I feel very unsafe driving my car. Please help address this issue with the manufacturer.
Exterior Lighting · reported Jun 7, 2023
When driving my 2009 Toyota Avalon my headlights sporadically go out. Mostly on the drivers side. I have replaced the headlight on 3 separate occasions with in the last 3 Years and each time it cost me $185.00 for labor and the headlight. I also got stopped by the POLICE for it! Now in 2023 the right head light goes on and off sporadically since March 2023. Again, I got stopped by the POLICE! Now it's JUNE of 2023 and both lights went out while driving home at night. We took it to a different repair shop and was FINALLY told that this has been a problem for the 2009 Toyota Avalon for a while…
Steering · reported Aug 13, 2022
The steering wheel telescoping lever is faulty in that it will loosen in its own causing the steering wheel to lunge forward toward the dash unexpectedly with little pressure while driving.
Engine · at 134,000 miles · reported Dec 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while at the dealer he was notified about an extended warranty on the dashboard by another customer. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that the warranty had expired. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The contact had not received notification for the extended warranty on the dashboard.…

Other Toyota Avalon years

Compare all Toyota Avalon years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2009 Toyota Avalon: 16V-396 (seats), 14V-743 (seats), 13V-014 (seats, air bags), 10V-035 (equipment), 10V-036 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Toyota Avalon?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (25 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (18). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 49,920 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.