2008 Toyota Avalon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Toyota Avalon has a complaint index of 88, ranking 3rd worst out of 18 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 349 complaints, 6 recalls, and 4 fire reports, with the Electrical System accounting for 64% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #3 of 18 Avalon years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 349
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 15
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
Top 2008 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden, unintended acceleration while stopped or moving slowly, sometimes ending in a collision with a wall or vehicle ahead.
- Some drivers report the vehicle lunging forward on its own even after the accelerator pedal recall repair was completed.
- Several complaints describe engine compartment fires, including one reported at 46,000 miles that destroyed the vehicle.
- Owners report frontal or knee airbags deploying and causing leg injuries during otherwise survivable crashes.
- One driver reported the vehicle revving violently and spinning out of control while shifting out of park or reverse at low speed.
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 reliable?
- Compared to other Avalon model years, the 2008 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 88 and ranks 3rd worst out of 18 years, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Toyota Avalon?
- Electrical System complaints dominate, making up 64% of all reported issues (224 of 349 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 59,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2008 Avalon, covering issues including sticking accelerator pedals, floor mat entrapment, seat heater fire risk, and tire label compliance. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which Toyota Avalon years are better than the 2008?
- Later years score much lower on the complaint index, including 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, all rated Best. The 2010 and 2012 model years are also rated Good.
- Did the 2008 Avalon have sudden acceleration complaints?
- Yes. Multiple sample complaints in the Engine and Transmission & Powertrain categories describe unintended acceleration events, some occurring after the accelerator pedal recall repair.