Almost every Avalon year is a good buy; the 2016 and 2017 have the fewest complaints. The 2019 is the one to check, because of a fuel pump recall.
Best years: 20162017 Years to avoid: none stand out
Every Avalon year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 65 | 0 | Other | Few reports |
| 2021 | 27 | 139 | 2 | Air bags | Average |
| 2020 | 11 | 60 | 3 | Fuel System | Few reports |
| 2019 | 72 | 259 | 5 | Fuel System | Watch out |
| 2018 | 25 | 74 | 2 | Air bags | Good year |
| 2017 | 14 | 43 | 2 | Engine | Good buy |
| 2016 | 25 | 52 | 4 | Other | Good buy |
| 2015 | 54 | 90 | 2 | Brakes | Average |
| 2014 | 114 | 170 | 4 | Other | Average |
| 2013 | 160 | 225 | 4 | Structure | Watch out |
| 2012 | 30 | 102 | 4 | Structure | Average |
About the Avalon
The Avalon is Toyota's full-size sedan and one of the most dependable cars in our data. The 2013 redesign drew some complaints about rear window sunshades and sudden acceleration claims, and the 2019 redesign is covered by Toyota's fuel pump recall. Otherwise problems are rare.
- 2013-2018: Fourth generation. Very low complaints after 2014.
- 2019-2022: Fifth generation. Fuel pump recall on 2019.
Avalon warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Toyota files with NHTSA. 1,020 Avalon bulletins are on file in total.
In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for the Steering Column Telescopic Adjustment Lever Detent Clip in 2005-...
In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where, after securing the telescopic adjustment lever, the steering column's telescopic adjustment function may not retain its set adjusted position.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Avalon
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Defect petition DP23005 · 2013–2015 · opened Nov 2023
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004.
Defect petition DP22005 · 2013–2022 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States.
Defect petition DP19004 · 2013–2015 · opened Sep 2019, closed Jan 2021
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr.
Engineering analysis EA19001 · 2012–2018 · opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024 · led to recall 20V024
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.
Avalon vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Toyota Avalon?
2016 and 2017. Almost every Avalon year is a good buy; the 2016 and 2017 have the fewest complaints. The 2019 is the one to check, because of a fuel pump recall.
Which Toyota Avalon years should I avoid?
No year stands out as clearly bad. Check the recall list for the exact year you are looking at.
Is the Toyota Avalon reliable?
Yes. Its complaint rate is among the lowest of any model we track. Check that the fuel pump recall has been done on 2019 and some 2020 cars.
Based on 540 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2022, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.