Avg. Price Paid:$12,969 - $17,585
Original MSRP: $27,325 - $34,665
MPG: 19 City / 28 Hwy
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2008 Toyota Avalon Recalls & Reliability

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall: 2008 Toyota Avalon U.S. News Best Cars 9.2
Critics' Rating: 9.6
Performance: 8.5
Interior: 8.7
Safety: 8.6
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

  • Roomy high-quality cabin
  • Impressive V6 passing power for a large car
  • Touring trim offers good handling
  • Good reliability ratings and resale values
  • Highest MPG rating in its class
  • With options, price can rival that of luxury cars

Research Other Years

Review Last Updated: 3/23/09

Recalls

There have been 3 safety recalls issued from NHTSA.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSRecall Date: 01/26/2010
  • Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 10V035000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 271417
  • Summary: 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.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CERTIFICATION LABEL, THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AND THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION (ADDENDUM) LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
  • Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDALRecall Date: 10/05/2009
  • Consequence: 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.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 09V388000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 3800000
  • Summary: 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.
  • Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE ANY DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT AND NOT REPLACE IT WITH ANY OTHER FLOOR MAT PENDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL-SPECIFIC REMEDIES. TOYOTA WILL MAIL A SECOND NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES NOTIFYING THEM OF THE FREE REMEDY WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE. THE FIRST NOTICE IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED DURING OCTOBER 2009 AND TOYOTA WILL ADVISE NHTSA OF THE ESTIMATED DATE WHEN THE REMEDY PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
  • Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSRecall Date: 10/01/2009
  • Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 10V036000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 153418
  • Summary: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 SIENNA 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 BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION (ADDENDUM) LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-954-420-2000.
  • Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Reliability

Our reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating.

Dependability Ratings1 2008
Overall Dependability
Powertrain Dependability
Feature & Accessory Dependability
Body & Interior Dependability

1These scores come from consumer ratings of their vehicles after three years of ownership.

  • Key:
  • Among The Best
  • Better Than Most
  • About Average
  • The Rest

J.D. Power and Associates Power Circle Ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards. See JDPower.com for more information on Power Circle Ratings. Your experience may vary.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the J.D. Power and Associates content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.

Warranty

Toyota offers warranty coverage on all of its cars, including a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.

The Toyota powertrain warranty covers 60 months/60,000 miles.

The 2007 Toyota Avalon proved to be exceptionally reliable, therefore instilling a sense of security in the 2008 model. Auto writers from Kelley Blue Book report that Toyota has "an impeccable history of excellent service, outstanding quality and best-in-class resale." The Chicago Tribune adds: "Toyota has created a new car and a new image. Folks buy Toyotas for reliable, dependable transportation. With Avalon, they can get spirit in the mix."

Next Steps: Toyota Avalon