There are 4 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2014 Toyota Avalonin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
My Avalon is trying to kill me. I promise I have done nothing wrong! When going down the highway at 85mph I have had people cut in front of me. When pushing on the brakes to avoid collision, the brakes lock up and do not release for about 5 seconds. Naturally, this is quite unnerving for myself, passengers as cars that scatter around me when the Avalon takes control --- slamming on the brakes --- and wont hand control back until it has caused quite a mess. This has happened three times now and no one can tell me what is wrong. I am told to get a brake job at the Toyota dealership even though the pads still have plenty of life.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA AVALON . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, LIGHT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR INCIDENTS OF UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE FOURTH INCIDENT RESULTED IN A COLLISION WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE IN THE PARKING SPACE AHEAD. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LIA TOYOTA OF ROCKLAND (618 NY-303, BLAUVELT, NY 10913) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND A TEST DRIVE WAS PERFORMED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A THIRD-PARTY TEST DRIVE AND DIAGNOSIS THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
DRIVING DOWN ROAD.. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME NO OBJECTS IN ROAD. CLEAR SUNNY DAY WHEN THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ALARM SOUNDED AND THE PCS INDICATOR LIGHT LITE. THE ABS ENGAGED. AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN HALT. LUCKILY NOONE WAS BEHIND ME, BECAUSE IF THERE WAS, A REAR END COLLISION COULD HAVE OCCURED. THIS ISSUE DID OCCUR TO A LESSOR EXTENT ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS (ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO) BUT THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE HALT AS IT DID ON 7/6. IN BOTH OF THOSE INSTANCES, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD. THE ROAD(S) WERE STRAIT. NO CURVES. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, WHICH COULD HURT MYSELF, OTHERS OR CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026