Toyota Avalon check engine light comes on

Filed Oct 4, 2026 · Transmission · WA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission. Yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The UA80 eight-speed automatic transmission used in my Toyota is defective. There is a design flaw that causes excess heat inside the transmission to burn transmission fluid resulting in premature transmission failure as well as stalling and other dangerous situations. I also noticed significant noise from the vehicle’s transmission assembly. In addition, the engine RPM jumps high while the car struggles to accelerate or temporarily loses power. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The check engine light came on a week ago, but no symptoms were exhibited at that time.

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · PA

On two occasions, 8 months apart, our car started braking on its own while driving in traffic. In both instances, the on-screen alerts indicated the LDA and simultaneously the check engine light. Neither time were we trying to switch lanes. In fact, the first time we were on a one-way street. In both instances, we were able to cruise over to a parking space before the car completely stopped avoiding a rear-end collision. Once we got in the space, we turned the car off and back on but it would not go forward or backward. We sat for 30 minutes or so, started it up and was able to get it home. We took the car to the Toyota dealership the next day. We got a call from the dealership in a few days stating the mechanics drove the car but the issue did not occur so we had to go in to the dealer and sign an authorization to allow access to the car's computer. About a week went by before we received a call stating they were waiting for an engineer to come in and diagnose the problem. Two weeks later, we got another call informing us the engineer would be delayed in getting to the dealership and asked if we wanted to pick up the car. Obviously, driving a car that we no longer feel safe in was not an option so we informed them to keep it until the problem was addressed. Weeks went by and we were not contacted so we sent a letter to the Corporate Office of Toyota. A case was opened but two weeks passed before we heard anything. We reached out and spoke with a representative who said they would have the initial rep call us. We never heard back so reached out again in a week and spoke with yet another rep who said there are two case numbers and the case is in progress and also told us there was "some kind of dispute" but we needed to speak with the case manager who opened the case and they would have her call back. Here we are nearly 3 months later and there has been no resolution. We've not heard back from the dealer in over a month and the Corporation in nearly 2 weeks.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Transmission · AR

The transmission needs to be replaced. My car has 75,146 miles and my check engine light came on while I was driving down the interstate. I took it to the Toyota dealership and they confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. I was told it would cost $8,600. I was looking for any recalls on my car and saw there were multiple lawsuits involving the transmission in my car and other Toyota and Lexus models. The primary lawsuits involve millions of vehicles equipped with the UA80 8-speed automatic transmissions.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 251,617 miles · FL

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, the contact noticed that the title listed the mileage at 133,510, with the note " Not the Actual Mileage" next to the mileage. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 133,510, and it was later discovered that the Carfax report listed the mileage at 251,617. The Carfax report also displayed that the vehicle was sold at an auto auction on 11/25/2025. Additionally, the contact stated that while his daughter was driving the vehicle on the same day of purchase, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and the traction control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shifting significantly hard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Fuel system · TX

A couple of months ago, my car started running a little rough as it would sit in idle mode. When suddenly my check engine light came on. I checked the codes and they seemed to be P0445 Evaporitive emission system leak detected (large leak). And P0441 Evaporative emission system. Incorrect Purge Flow. P0505 Idle control system. And P0171 System to Lean Bank 1 and P0174 System to Lean. Bank 2 and P0172 System Too Rich and P1170 and P117B Manufacture Control. But other then just running a little rough at idle that was about all that I had noticed until I went to go fuel up back in October. My fuel was low so I went to fuel up and after wards, my car struggled really hard to start. And every time since that days it’s progressively gotten worse. Last week I kept my car running while I fueled up and as I drove away from the gas station, my car just stalled out completely. It took me about an hour and a half before my car would start again. I was waiting for the tow truck to come get me and thank God inc checked it one more time and it started. Now just recently, when I put my car in park the engine immediately Reva up super high. It started to wine really loud and rpm go through the roof. Until I shut the car off. So I am unable to sit in idle at all anymore. I decided to Google what could be going on with my car and then I seen this recall on the fuel pump off some Toyota Avalon 2019 & 2020 models. But much to my surprise, my Vin/Vehicle is not listed. Will Toyota still replace the fuel pump for free? Please contact me as soon as possible. I really need to address this issue. Thank You!

Filed Jul 8, 2023 · Transmission · CA

My 2014 Toyota Avalon transmission failed with only 98,000 miles on it. I have always maintained this car flawlessly. I got a check engine light 07/07/23 and immediately had it towed to a certified mechanic. Was told the car needs a transmission replacement.

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

Leaving a parking lot, the car jumped out of gear. Thought maybe I had bumped the gear selector but attempts at putting the car in gear resulted in grinding noises and the only option was to put it in PARK. Check engine light came on. Mechanic diagnosed a speed sensor. Had this happened on the freeway or while trying to pass another car on a two lane and a speed sensor disable the entire car to me is dangerous and should be addressed. Had the check engine light come on, I would have had the sensor replaced right away. I now feel this is an unsafe situation that could arise in other 2017 Toyota cars

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Body, Engine · 134,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while at the dealer he was notified about an extended warranty on the dashboard by another customer. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that the warranty had expired. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency. The contact had not received notification for the extended warranty on the dashboard. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Engine · FL

The engine has quit while in traffic several times and the check engine light and the skid control lights are the only lights lit on the dashboard. Once the car comes to rest and one waits 3 to 5 minutes, the car will restart. We have taken the car to the dealer twice, ( each time the had it for nearly a week) and they could not find the problem. This is a very serious problem because the engine stops without notice causing loss of power steering and total loss of control. The lights for check engine and skid control are sometimes on when this happens, but not always; and the fact that these lights are lit does not predict this event happening.I think there might be a sensor in the engine that is faulty.

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Brakes · CA

Multiple warning lights suddenly appeared on the dash while stopped at a traffic signal. (Photo attached) Note: the photo does not show the red "PCS" light which was flashing. I was able to get off the road safely although the brakes did not feel normal. Had the car towed to Capitol Toyota in San Jose the following morning for repair. They diagnosed the problem as a failure in the Master Cylinder Booster Unit and replaced it. Note: the attached invoice misstates the issue as "check engine light" which is incorrect.