This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The headlights go off intermittently. First it was the driver side then the passenger side and recently both on a dark road. Very dangerous and I have read other accounts that Toyota charges huge amounts when this is clearly a safety issue.
On servicing of model XLS, service adviser noted that hi beam/drl's were not functioning. Investigation revealed exploded halogen lamps. Correction required a redesigned replacement of both headlight assemblies, as noted in tsb 44-0010, at an approx. Cost of $900. This was apparently due to a design flaw in the original headlight housing which allowed overheating and caused the lamp explosion. The tsb recognized this condition but does not replace the defect after a provided warranty extension to 5 years/72,000 miles. The loss of high beam lighting is a safety issue which can go undetected until needed. Although daytime running lights, (drl's), are not required, they do provide the required lighting during times when windshield wipers are required (rain, snow, sleet. Loss of either affects driving safety.
I am the owner of a 2008 Toyota Avalon. Right after we purchased the car, we have had issues with the headlights going out. The headlights are flickering on and off at random times. On December 14, 2013 while driving at night, both headlights went out at the same time nearly causing an accident (luckily the lights came back on when I turned them off/on quickly). I took the car to our local Toyota service center and they told me that the only way to fix the problem is to completely replace the whole lighting assembly at the tune of $2570.04. The service center also explained that the housing for the bulbs was too small and this is causing the bulbs to overheat and go out. It was after 2010 that Toyota redesigned the housing and fixed the issue. Apparently, Toyota extended the warranty to 5 years/72,000 miles. Ironically, it appears we are just over that. I am unable to drive my car at night due to this safety issue. I also don't agree that we should have to pay $2500 to have new light assemblies installed in our car. This is an issue of a bad design on Toyota part and I refuse to play a victim in this ridiculous solution to such a severe safety issue. I am asking Toyota to do the right thing and replace the headlight assembly and take care of their customer. The fact that there is an issue with the headlight design and the fact that Toyota is fully aware should be enough to have this fixed. There should be no limittime wise or mileage wise on a safety issue this huge for Toyota's customers.
I purchased my 2008 Avalon new in December 2008 which included an extended warranty for 84 months or 100,000 miles. In November, 2013, I started to notice that my headlights were low. I turned them off and back on which seemed to resolved the issue. (I typically drive with the drl) however, the same issue returned off and on over the new few months. My car was taken in for service on March 22, 2014 and they were advised. I was then informed that the entire assembly for my lights/daytime running/high beams needed to be replaced. I was told there was an enhancement for 5 years or 72000 miles...whichever came first. Unfortunately, my extended warranty which I purchased was not applicable, and the 5 year enhancement expired in December 2013. I was never notified by mail or during any service appointment about this extended warranty or problems with the exterior lighting. I was quoted a cost of $2,600 for the repairs. This is not fair.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while driving 65 mph at night time, the front drivers side headlight stopped working. Both lights went out at various times. Occasionally at the same time. He vehicle was taken to the dealer and could not determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 5/19/14
- Rayle, GA, USA
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I was utilizing the high beam lights periodically on a dark evening. Near the end of a 1 hour and 45 minute trip, the high beams gave a slight flicker and went out. Upon examination today, both lights had blown or shattered. I ordered new bulbs today with $35 each.
We were driving on route 95 in South Carolina it was raining we had been using our bright lights when we suddenly lost our bright lights. When we got to our destination we pulled into a Toyota dealership we were informed our head light and fixtures would need to be replaced due to the fact they both sides had exploded we were treated very poorly by Toyota.upon investigation this is a common problem with the Toyota Avalon and a extended warranty had been issued of which we were never notified of and it had expired.a short period of time before the event happened and it cost us $2600 dollar and had to drive with a hazardous vehicle.
The headlight high beams went out while driving. This is a known defect and Toyota is not addressing. They want 3500 with labor to fix this issue. Should be a recall. Headlights going out at night at unpredictable times should be paid by Toyota.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the headlights would fail sporadically and without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 97,614.
Had to replace both high beam bulbs on two occasions (August 4, 2010 (under warranty) and February 4, 2010) including having an electrical component evaluation performed with the last incident.
Both high beams went out at same time while on dark country road. Low beam on right side cuts out after a few minutes of driving. Toyota knows there is a problem because they extended warranty to 72000 miles for the hid lights. This happened after the warranty. The sudden loss of both high beams created a dangerous situation. Fortunately it did not cause a crash. The low beam cutting out as it does is dangerous. My local dealer says both headlight assemblies need to be replaced at a cost of $2660. Headlights are a necessary safety feature. Toyota must know they have a problem because of the warranty extension and the numerous complaints on the internet. A friend with the same model had the same issue. I am requesting NHTSA to demand Toyota recall the Toyota Avalon limited cars with this type of headlight assembly and replace the lights with a reliable system.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the headlights would fail sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 48,000.
We purchased this car in May 2013. For the past few months, the right headlight has been going off intermittently and now the left headlight is starting to do the same thing. The headlight may or may not come back on while driving but will come back on the next time the car is started. Checking online revealed other complaints concerning the same issue, including both headlights going off at the same time - definitely a safety issue. At this point in time, it appears the high beams are okay.
The high beam headlights stopped working. I later learned the bulbs were shattered. Toyota dealer says because the car now has 80,000 plus miles they will not fit it. The cost to repair is $2600.
Head lights quit working in December of 2010 high beams, Toyota fixed them, high beams quit working again on December 24th 2013. This has happened twice.
My 2008 Toyota Avalon has a defective high beam / low beam headlamp. The high beam bulb burst while in use one night. The vehicle has less than 43,000 miles, but the 60 month warranty expired in July 2013. I noticed the problem in August, just after the warranty expired. My vehicle was due for a safety inspection in October, so I researched information to repair the headlamp and discovered that it is a common problem for 2008 Toyota Avalons. I went to the dealership in September to determine the repair cost. When the service rep. Saw low mileage, he thought the car was under warranty and estimated the repair to be approx. $1000 to replace the defective headlamp assembly. When he realized the car was out of warranty, he suggested replacing the $65 bulb. I'm concerned that a $1500 repair was instantly reduced to $65 because the car is out of warranty. If the problem is reported within the original warranty period the whole assembly is replaced at no charge and the warranty is extended another 12 months or 12,000 miles. Now I am concerned that the bulb will blow out again at some inconvenient time. High and low beams are required in MA as an annual safety inspection item. Obviously, they are critical for safe driving at night. Why isn't a repair for a common problem / safety hazard like this a recall issue?
TL- the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated the driver's and passenger's side headlight stopped illuminating independently. There was a manufacturer recall for the exterior lighting. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 49,500.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the passenger's side headlight malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the wiring harness and headlights needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 73,000.
While driving my vehicle the headlights will go out intermittently. Initially we thought it was the right bulb but sometimes its the left bulb. After contacting the dealership, we were told that it will be about $1500 to fix this problem. After doing some research, I found out that the problem will not be solved and many owners of the cars are spending in excess of $2500 and the problem continues. Its a safety hazard. I contacted Toyota co and the response I received was "the high intensity discharge bulb has an enhanced light output for a better field of vision and thus safety. The bulbs will turn off if the bulb is starting to overheat in order to protect the electronic control unit. There are times by simply turning off the headlights and then back on the hid will turn back on." The lights can be on for 5 minutes and they will turn off. After doing further research I learned this is not an isolated incident but widespread with 2008 Toyota Avalon. Its dangerous and a safety hazard. Something should be done.
Both high beam lamps went out at the same time while driving at night on a hilly road without any other lights on road -- both bulbs went bad. Dealer at service just wanted to replace them. Several months later I came across bulletin online that stated Toyota would replace housing for lamps with new one provided car was under 72,000 miles and 5 years. Although my car was at 4.5 years at time of incident, when I called into Toyota, I was at 5 years 1 month, although still under mileage. I was told to have dealer call Toyota, which they did not do, despite me repeatedly asking them to do so over the next few months. In the end, I called Toyota again and after they were able to reach the dealer, they said that since it was out of the warranty, I am responsible for any repairs or replacement of housing to their new design. I had replaced the high beam bulbs of course, at significant expense since they are not standard bulbs available at auto parts stores, but I fear they will again fail me at night while on a dark hilly road. Plus now, right after finishing another dealer service, one low beam hid lamp is not staying on and goes off. Checking online, I do not seem to be the only one with headlamp issues on this model, high beam or low beam. Please investigate.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orange Beach, AL, USA