2008 Toyota Avalon electrical problems

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · 110,950 miles · MN

OEM high beam bulbs continuously explode. I’m not saying they just burn out, these bulbs shatter, and send shards of glass on the inside of the headlamp housing. I believe it’s a big safety risk, because for me, it happened while I was driving late at night in the dark where there are deer nearby. Brights are essential to see far and when you’re driving through hills, going up a hill you need your brights to extend higher than your normal lights do. This is a commonly complained about problem for the 2008-2010 models of this Toyota Avalon. Toyota has issued a technical service bulletin back in 2011, but it is a major defect and I believe it should be fixed regardless of whether a customer pays for a warranty or not. A mechanic told me also that they are not sure why Toyota has not warrantied vehicles with this issue. The solution is replacing the headlight housing. So there is clearly a material defect, and I believe it affects safety. Vehicles are required to have high beam headlights for a reason, and the high beams on this vehicle burn out commonly on certain vehicles, and replacing bulbs does NOT solve the problem. It is a very expensive repair as well. What kind of car manufacturer doesn’t recall or acknowledge a material defect or design flaw in such a crucial safety feature or a vehicle such as headlights? It’s an expensive, annoying, and dangerous issue that continues to happen. There are so many complaints about this high beam issue for the 2008 year. In my mind this really reduces Toyotas reputation and credibility since they did not and will not recall these headlights. We just have to deal with their faulty design. Fix your mistakes instead of making customers foot the bill for your poor craftsmanship. This is pathetic.

Filed Mar 8, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 98,000 miles · RI

I have been pulled over numerous times due to having a headlight out. However it's never blown. Once I show the officer by turning the lights off for a few seconds then back on the light is on. From reading many toyota forums and going to a toyota dealer, it is a faulty wiring system and to repair it will cost at least $1300.00 or more. It is a hastle as well as a safety hazard. The light doesnt stay on once turning the lights off then on. Within a few miles it goes off again and it is constantly blowing the light bulbs. In the 3 years I have had my car I have replaced the lights at least 7 times. The light will always be off when I start my car with the remote starter and when I start it with the ignition if it's on, within a few miles of driving it goes off again.

Filed Nov 16, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 90,000 miles · WA

From the day I purchased used vehicle in 2015, I've experienced headlights that flicker and go off only to be fully illuminated by turning off then back on. Mostly, it's the driver side and sometimes the passenger side; infrequently, both headlights are affected. I've searched the internet for a solution and found hundreds of similar reports with 'solutions' ranging from simple few dollars to above $1000. My local dealer had the car on several different occasions...to no avail and was willing to 'fix' it for $1200. Because of the number of similarly described on internet forums, I think that toyota should recall the vehicles if, for no other reason, than that this is a significant safety issue.

Filed Nov 4, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · PA

I have had continuous problems with either one or both front headlights going off randomly. This happens almost daily and I have taken the car to the shop numerous times. This is a very dangerous problem as on occasion I do not even know that the lights are off. Additionally, I have been pulled over by the police and issued a warning with the excepectation that the problem will be fixed. This poses another great concern as the mechanic has not been able to diagnose the issue, therefore, it cannot be fixed. The mechanic has also reached out to the dealer as well as other mechanics along with conducting his own research all to no avail. During my research, I discovered numerous compliants stating the exact same problems that I am experiencing, also with no resolve or remedy. I am shocked that toyota would place people in such danger and not take any action to rectify this very significant problem. I would appreciate any help you may be able to provide.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 67,000 miles · PA

Car driver side low beam headlight goes out randomly and unexpectedly .

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Electrical · AR

Headlights and fog lights go off while traveling. May or may not come back on when switch is reset. They go off unpredictably and may be at a very inopportune time causing collision.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · CA

Rear sun shed break very fast makes a lot of noise. It can't be disabled without causing other problem such as engine light on and cruz control disabled and all kind of sensors that need to be replaced. Its very dangers and frustrating

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Electrical · DE

July 30, 2018 while in parking space I turned on ignition and heard a mild pop, the looking towards passenger seat I saw white smoke rising between chair and window and smoke coming from under seat. It smelled as if doming was burning. I turned ignition off. Smoke stopped. I did not see anything under the chair. I checked movement of chair and it was ok. I called toyota: no idea of cause and claimed no recalls. I mentioned what I saw on line, to no avail. I observed 6/2/2016 recall: 16v396000 and 11/19/2014 # 14v743000. I would like these heating wires on both sides to be disconnected to prevent possible fire while driving. Thank you

Filed May 28, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 116,000 miles · TX

Recently purchased a car. When driving at night the headlights randomly goe off after a few minutes. Unfortunately this issue was discovered while my recently licensed teen was driving the car... Huge safety issue! I went to dealer to have light system checked out. They informed me that the lights were broken. I asked if they could have exploded do to some system malfunction. I was assured that was not the case as they insinuated that whoever put them in is responsible for the damage, offering me a very costly solution. However they had no idea what could cause this problem. Before agreeing to any repairs, I decided to do some research. Their uncertainty left me uneasy and very uncomfortable with coming out of pocket for anything at that point and my child's safety is my top priority. Upon researching, I found out these problems are known to toyota. They extended the warranty to 72,000 miles, but, would not cover my car issue due to mileage and year surpassing that which is outlined in the warranty extension. Headlights are essential and quite frankly required by law. The extension should be applied with no mileage restraint as headlights are a major safety component of a vehicle. Every where you go dealers swear by the avalon being a cost effective and very safe choice with this issue existing, they have non the less shoved a foot right down their own throats! This should either be a recall or an extended warranty with unlimited miles. If you can't do this take the car off the market/quit letting dealers sale the car assuring unbeknownst buyers of the car's undeniable quality for christ's sake!

Filed Nov 13, 2016 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · MD

Intermittent headlight failure. Headlights fail without warning. Either drivers,passenger or both. Hid headlights oem.