Toyota Avalon years to avoid (and the best years)
618 NHTSA owner complaints and 24 recalls across 12 model years, 2010 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 618complaints
- 24recalls
- 73reported crashes
- 4reported fires
- 61reported injuries
- 11reported deaths
Which Toyota Avalon years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Toyota Avalon year to avoid is 2017. The typical Toyota Avalon year has 36 complaints on file.
- 2017: 14 complaints, including 10 reports of a death. Most complaints name the engine (43% of complaints) and the speed control (21% of complaints).
What are the best Toyota Avalon years?
The Toyota Avalon years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (21), 2016 (23) and 2018 (24). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21 | 0.6× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2020 | 10 | 0.3× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Fuel system |
| 2019 | 70 | 2.0× | 4 | 4 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Fuel system |
| 2018 | 24 | 0.7× | 2 | 7 | 4 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2017 | 14 | 0.4× | 2 | 2 | 2 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 23 | 0.6× | 3 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 41 | 1.2× | 2 | 7 | 2 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2014 | 96 | 2.7× | 4 | 7 | 10 | Some concerns to check | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2013 | 137 | 3.9× | 4 | 14 | 18 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2012 | 30 | 0.8× | 4 | 8 | 6 | Few red flags | Body and structure |
| 2011 | 106 | 3.0× | 1 | 14 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2010 | 46 | 1.3× | 7 | 6 | 6 | Few red flags | Speed control |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 184 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Steering, suspension & tires42 (23%)
- Engine & powertrain35 (19%)
- Structure & body30 (16%)
- Electrical & infotainment29 (16%)
- Airbags & seat belts17 (9%)
Recalls (24)
Airbags · 23V865000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2020, 2021
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Airbags · 20V734000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2020, 2021
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 20V682000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V024000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 20V012000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2018, 2019
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V244000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V685000 · Oct 2018 · model year 2019
If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Airbags · 18V569000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2012
If the seat belt is falsely interpreted as being buckled, in the event of a crash, the air bags may not deploy appropriately, increasing the risk of injury.
Tires · 17V295000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V906000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2016
If the air bag was installed with incorrect fasteners, the fasteners may become loose over time, affecting the air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 16V396000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2010
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 16V215000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 15V728000 · Nov 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V047000 · Jan 2015 · model years 2011, 2012
A constant electrical current flow may cause the sub-woofer to overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Safety · 14V743000 · Nov 2014 · model year 2010
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Suspension · 14V715000 · Nov 2014 · model year 2014
Because of the insufficient clamping force, the lower arm may separate from the ball joint, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 14V576000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2014
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Electrical system · 13V442000 · Oct 2013 · model years 2012, 2013
A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.
Body & glass · 13V505000 · Oct 2013 · model year 2013
A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model year 2010
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V017000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 09V388000 · Oct 2009 · model year 2010
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.