Toyota Avalon Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota Avalon across 18 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (17). The words owners use most often: “master cylinder” (13% of reports).
- 150service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 28mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 25%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 20 of 150 complaints (13%)
- Brake fluid: mentioned in 10 of 150 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 74 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 150 complaints, 28 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury.
Toyota Avalon service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Avalon | 1 | 2% | 83,829 |
| 2014 Avalon | 1 | 1% | 3,900 |
| 2011 Avalon | 2 | 2% | 645 |
| 2009 Avalon | 4 | 4% | 2,906 |
| 2008 Avalon | 3 | 1% | 42,600 |
| 2007 Avalon | 13 | 5% | 31,726 |
| 2006 Avalon | 17 | 5% | 28,000 |
| 2005 Avalon | 17 | 7% | 52,877 |
| 2004 Avalon | 4 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2003 Avalon | 11 | 4% | 31,000 |
| 2002 Avalon | 8 | 7% | 94,000 |
| 2001 Avalon | 11 | 8% | 17,217 |
| 2000 Avalon | 15 | 9% | 28,377 |
| 1999 Avalon | 6 | 7% | 131,000 |
| 1998 Avalon | 11 | 6% | 45,920 |
| 1997 Avalon | 7 | 6% | — |
| 1996 Avalon | 10 | 9% | — |
| 1995 Avalon | 9 | 11% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 2005, 2006
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan,minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, noth dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. A condition can occur where accumulated moisture can temporarily freeze in the brake vacuum hose if the vehicle is used in extremely cold climates for an extended period of time.
Risk: This can result in the elimination of vacuum assist to the brakes that can increase stopping distances and could lead to a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new design brake vacuum hose.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated, and the brake independently activated. The vehicle was taken to a specialty…
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the brake line was leaking brake fluid. The brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the subframe and rear axle were rusted. The contact had replaced the brakes. The contact stated that the failure…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while driving, the brake pedal was depressed and became soft. The brake pedal was pumped several times to fix the issue. There was no warning. The dealer was not called. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to…
On april 17, 2012 bayside toyota replaced the brake master cylinder seal on the avalon under recall# 10v499000. Almost exactly 3 years later on april 18, 2015 the brake master cylinder seal failed as i was backing the car out of my garage. I was able to use my parking brake to stop the vehicle…
I have a safety concern with the brakes slow to stop. I have replaced them i think twice through toyota. But the issue never seem to totally go away. Below is the issue showing i am not the only one with this safety problem. But toyota refuse to acknowledge this problem is real even with the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Avalons have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 150 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Toyota Avalon. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Avalon service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota Avalon?
The most frequent phrase is “master cylinder”, in 20 of 150 complaints, followed by “brake fluid” (10).
Other Toyota Avalon problems
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (602)
- Air Bags problems (586)
- Steering problems (361)
- Electrical System problems (295)
- Exterior Lighting problems (291)
- Power Train problems (211)
- Structure problems (197)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (196)
See all Toyota Avalon problems.