2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
88/100
#2 most-complained of 9 Avalon Hybrid years
The 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid has 18 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 88, and ranks 2nd worst of 9 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine complaints lead at 22%, with two recalls covering airbags and collision avoidance components.
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 40
- 40 city / 39 hwy
Top 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other5 (28%)
- Engine4 (22%)
- Electrical System3 (17%)
- Structure & Body3 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report the check engine light coming on followed by smoke and fire from under the hood while driving at highway speed.
- Some describe the pre-collision system suddenly triggering hard engine braking with no vehicle ahead, causing sudden deceleration.
- Owners report a slight roaring noise from the engine bay while coasting at 30-40 mph, later diagnosed by a dealer as a failing transmission.
- The front bumper reportedly separated from the body near the front wheel well after very limited driving.
- Owners describe the vehicle riding very roughly over bumps and potholes, causing physical soreness after driving.
- Original-equipment tires reportedly showed excessive tread wear and wire exposure at 30,579 miles, deemed unsafe to drive.
2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V024000Jan 17, 2020Airbags2,891,976 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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 be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
- NHTSA 15V728000Nov 3, 2015Collision Avoidance & Cameras30,812 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.
Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.
2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 40 MPG
- Highway
- 39 MPG
- Combined
- 40 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Avalon Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 model has a complaint index of 88 and ranks 2nd worst among 9 model years tracked, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Avalon Hybrid years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
- Engine issues make up 22% of complaints, followed by electrical system, structure and body, and suspension issues each at 17%. The median mileage at failure across complaints was 16,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for this year: one for an airbag electronic control unit issue and one for collision avoidance (pre-collision) system components.
- How does the 2014 model compare to other Avalon Hybrid years?
- The 2013 model year has a higher complaint index of 100 and is also rated Avoid, while 2015 (index 75) is also Avoid. Later years like 2017 (index 0) and 2020 (index 13) show far fewer reported problems.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 40 mpg combined (40 city/39 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600.