The 2019 Avalon Hybrid uses Toyota's proven A25A-FXS engine and hybrid transaxle, generally rock-solid, but this generation suffered a critical fuel-pump recall and some units experienced catastrophic engine failures traced to manufacturing defects in the direct-injection system causing fuel dilution and bearing wear.
Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: No-start or stalling while driving without warning, Rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power, Check engine light with fuel system codes P0087, P0093
Fix: Covered under recall 20TA03/20TA10 — dealer replaces low-pressure fuel pump in tank. If out of warranty and not yet done, 2.5 hours labor to drop tank and swap pump module.
Symptoms: Metallic knocking or rattling from engine bay, especially cold start, Sudden loss of oil pressure with warning light, Metal debris in oil during change, glittery or flake-like, Excessive oil consumption (more than 1 qt per 1,000 mi)
Fix: Direct-injection system can cause fuel dilution in oil, washing bearing surfaces. Spun bearings require complete short-block replacement or engine rebuild: 18-24 hours labor. Toyota extended warranty coverage on some VINs but many owners paid out-of-pocket. Requires crankshaft inspection, all main and rod bearings, sometimes pistons and rings.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under vehicle near front, Low fluid level causing slipping or delayed engagement, Pink or red fluid staining on radiator or frame rails
Fix: Cooler lines corrode at crimp connections or rubber sections crack. Replace both hard and flex lines as a set: 2.5 hours labor, includes fluid flush.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Transmission Mount Deterioration
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle that disappears when in Neutral, Excessive powertrain movement visible when rocking vehicle
Fix: Hybrid transaxle is heavy; rear mount fatigues from stop-and-go EV creep cycles. Replace mount and bracket hardware: 1.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-400
12V Auxiliary Battery Premature Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Hybrid system won't power on (READY light won't illuminate), Multiple warning lights on dash: Check Hybrid System, ABS, Brake, Clicking from under hood when attempting to start, Dead battery after sitting 3-5 days
Fix: The small 12V battery (powers computers, not propulsion) often fails earlier than expected in hybrids due to constant cycling. Not the big traction battery. AGM replacement required: 0.5 hours labor, must register new battery with ECU using scan tool.
Estimated cost: $300-450
Infotainment Software Glitches (Entune 3.0)
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Touchscreen freezes or becomes unresponsive, Bluetooth disconnects randomly or won't pair, Backup camera delays 3-5 seconds when shifting to Reverse, Climate controls revert to default settings
Fix: Covered under TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) requiring software reflash. Dealer or independent shop with Techstream: 0.5-1.0 hours labor. Sometimes requires DCM (data communication module) replacement if reflash fails.
Estimated cost: $0-150
Owner tips
Check if fuel pump recall (20TA03/20TA10) was completed — critical safety item
Monitor oil level every 1,000 miles for first 50,000 miles to catch early bearing wear; oil should stay clean amber, not smell of gasoline
Use Toyota-spec 0W-16 synthetic only; heavier oils mask bearing noise but accelerate wear on this engine
Have 12V battery load-tested at every service after 40,000 miles; failures are sudden and leave you stranded
Keep hybrid system software updated at dealer — many early glitches resolved with TSBs
Solid hybrid platform with excellent fuel economy, but the rare engine-failure lottery and fuel-pump recall history make a pre-purchase inspection with oil analysis mandatory — pass on any unit burning or smelling of fuel in the oil.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Auxiliary 12V battery for hybrid system; located in trunk
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Control Modules — 2019 Toyota Avalon
Every control module on the 2018-2022 Toyota Avalon — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Data Communication Module / Telematics Control Unit (DCM)0.8 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.5 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind glove box or under rear seat area
🔧 Toyota Techstream with TIS subscription
⚠️ Cellular/WiFi connectivity; Safety Connect and Service Connect features; subscription activation required
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020.
On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 19V244000
2019-03-27
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 18V685000
2018-10-04
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.
Vehicle Info — 2019 Toyota Avalon
Performance
Horsepower
215hp
Torque
163lb-ft
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
43mpg
Highway
44mpg
Combined
44mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Seating
5seats
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Wiper blades
Fifth generation (XX50) 2019-2022, sedan, no rear wiper
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2019 Toyota Avalon 2.5L I4 Hybrid and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.