Toyota Avalon Problems by Year

We compared every Toyota Avalon model year from 1995–2022 using 3,403 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 34 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 1998, which drew far more complaints than other Avalon years at the same age. The best years are 2017, 2020 and 2022.

28model years
3,403complaints
34recalls
2008, 2007worst years
2017, 2020best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22801091251789217313411629320522836024334991461063013796412314247110218
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota Avalon. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20228−80%—Wheel & TireGood
202121−62%2AirbagGood
202010−82%3Fuel SystemGood
201971typical4Fuel SystemAverage
201824−70%2AirbagGood
201714−83%2EngineGood
201623−75%3EngineGood
201541−60%2BrakeGood
201496typical4Collision AvoidanceAverage
20131371.4×4Window & WiperAverage
201230−69%4BodyGood
2011106typical1SteeringAverage
201046−57%7AccelerationGood
200991−21%7HeadlightAverage
20083493.5×6HeadlightAvoid
20072432.3×6AccelerationAvoid
20063603.5×7AccelerationAvoid
20052282.1×7AccelerationAvoid
2004205−26%3AirbagAverage
2003293−14%2AirbagAverage
2002116−18%1AirbagAverage
20011341.2×2AccelerationAverage
20001731.3×2SteeringAverage
199992−20%1AirbagAverage
19981781.7×1AC & HeaterCaution
19971251.2×1SteeringAverage
1996109typical—EngineAverage
199580−19%—BrakeAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Avalon year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Toyota Avalon problems

Latest Toyota Avalon recalls

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 23V-865 · Dec 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 20V-734 · Nov 25, 2020 · 161 vehicles

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-682 · Nov 4, 2020 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021.

Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module

NHTSA recall 20V-024 · Jan 17, 2020 · 2,891,976 vehicles

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-012 · Jan 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.

All 34 Toyota Avalon recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Toyota Avalon should you avoid?

2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 1998 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Avalon years at the same age, led by lights problems in the 2008.

What is the best year for the Toyota Avalon?

2017 has the fewest complaints compared with other Avalon years at the same age, followed by 2020 and 2022. 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 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the speed control & acceleration (602), air bags (586) and steering (361). Acceleration complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Toyota Avalon had?

34 recalls across 1995–2022. The model year with the most is 2005. See all Toyota Avalon 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.