Recall 15V047 covers 51,495 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles for an overheating sub-woofer electrical short. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
Toyota is recalling 51,495 2011-2012 Avalon vehicles because an intermittent short in the trunk sub-woofer can damage the audio amplifier and leave constant current flowing to the speaker. That current can overheat the sub-woofer and raise the risk of fire; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The trunk subwoofer in the 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon is the low-frequency speaker in the audio system. It sits in the trunk and uses an audio amplifier to send electrical power to the speaker so bass sounds play through the cabin. The wiring and amplifier are supposed to carry that current only while the system is operating normally.
On affected Avalons, a fine speaker wire in the subwoofer can move out of position when cargo contacts it in the trunk. If that wire touches the metal frame of the speaker, it creates an intermittent short circuit. That short can damage the integrated circuit inside the audio amplifier, which then lets current keep flowing to the subwoofer. Continuous current can overheat parts in the trunk area and create a fire risk.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not rely on sound quality, dashboard messages, or visible trunk damage to tell them whether the defect is present.
Who's affected?
The scope is limited to the 2011 and 2012 Avalon under the same electrical system component.
| 2011 Toyota Avalon | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Avalon | electrical system |
| Units affected | 51,495 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A constant electrical current flow can overheat the sub-woofer and increase the risk of fire. Check your VIN and arrange recall service promptly if this Avalon is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon is included in this recall.
- Wait for Toyota's owner letter or repair instructions before scheduling the dealer repair.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer once Toyota confirms the repair is open; the free repair replaces the audio amplifier and adds a sub-woofer protective cover to reduce overheating risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V047 when you call.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 with questions about the repair timing.
What happens at the repair
Until Toyota opens the final repair, a Toyota technician can disconnect the rear sub-woofer as a precaution. Once the repair opens, the technician will replace the audio system amplifier and install a protective cover around the sub-woofer, free under the recall. If you already paid to fix this condition before the campaign, Toyota's General Reimbursement Plan lets you seek reimbursement. Keep repair paperwork and ask Toyota customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 28, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| February 5, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 1, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V047?
Recall 15V047 covers 51,495 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles with a trunk subwoofer electrical short that can damage the audio amplifier and allow constant current flow. That current flow can overheat the subwoofer and increase fire risk. Toyota dealers replace the amplifier and add a protective cover for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Avalon is included in recall 15V047. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the amplifier replacement and subwoofer protective cover installation. Reference recall number 15V047 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Toyota to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 15V047, a franchised Toyota dealer replaces the audio system amplifier and installs a protective cover around the subwoofer free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V047?
The safety risk is fire. Toyota reported that an intermittent short in the trunk subwoofer can damage the amplifier circuit and allow constant electrical current to flow to the subwoofer. That current flow can overheat the subwoofer, which increases fire risk.
When did Toyota start the recall repair?
Toyota began the recall on July 1, 2015. Owners of affected 2011-2012 Avalon vehicles can contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall 15V047 to schedule the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V047000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-888-270-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V047 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V047000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →