Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | typical | 1 | Airbag | Average |
| 2020 | 0 | −86% | 3 | — | Good |
| 2019 | 1 | −82% | 3 | Fuel System | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | −80% | 2 | Transmission | Good |
| 2015 | 12 | −30% | 2 | Brake | Average |
| 2014 | 18 | 1.4× | 2 | Acceleration | Caution |
| 2013 | 23 | 1.8× | 3 | Collision Avoidance | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Avalon Hybrid year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems
Latest Toyota Avalon Hybrid recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024.
Air bags › Frontal
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020.
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Toyota Avalon Hybrid should you avoid?
2013 and 2014 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Avalon Hybrid years at the same age, led by driver assistance problems in the 2013.
What is the best year for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Avalon Hybrid years at the same age, followed by 2019 and 2016. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (10), driver assistance (8) and speed control & acceleration (8). Airbag complaints peak in the 2021 model year.
How many recalls has the Toyota Avalon Hybrid had?
10 recalls across 2013–2021. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Toyota Avalon Hybrid recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.