2008 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
88/100
#3 most-complained of 18 Avalon years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Toyota Avalon has 349 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 88 out of 100 — #3 highest of 18 Avalon model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is electrical system (224 complaints, 64% of the total). Complaints report 23 crashes, 4 fires, and 15 injuries.
- Complaints
- 349
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 23 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 28 hwy
Top 2008 Toyota Avalon problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System224 (64%)
- Engine48 (14%)
- Structure & Body27 (8%)
- Other19 (5%)
- Steering17 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (3%)
- Airbags8 (2%)
- Brakes8 (2%)
- Fuel System3 (1%)
2008 Toyota Avalon recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 10V035000Feb 3, 2010Other271,417 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Remedy: 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.
2008 Toyota Avalon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2008 compared with other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Toyota Avalon a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Toyota Avalon ranks #3 of 18 among Avalon model years (Complaint Index 88/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 349 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Avalon?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (224 complaints), engine (48 complaints), and structure & body (27 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 52,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Avalon, most recently reported 2016, covering structure & body, other, and engine.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Toyota Avalon?
- EPA rates the 2008 Toyota Avalon at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.