Toyota Avalon Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Toyota Avalon options? We analyzed 10 model years (2013–2022) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Toyota Avalon has 477 owner complaints and 26 safety recalls across model years 2013–2022. The most reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. 2013 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Avalon
- Model years analyzed
- 2013–2022 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 477
- Safety recall campaigns
- 26
- Crash-related complaints
- 51
- Fire-related complaints
- 3
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2013 (160 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (8 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Toyota Avalon: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe TOYOTA AVALON has 477 NHTSA complaints and 26 recalls on record. 51 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 477 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 26 federal recall campaigns
- 51 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
26 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2013–2022. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 477 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
477 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
After a maintenance service, i was made aware of an oil leak from where the bank 1 head gasket meets the timing cover. Verbally quoted for $6500 due to the “extensive labor” costs of replacing the gasket.
Went to dealer cause air bag malfunction came on they said it was the driver seat belt clicker being faulty. They wanted 250 to fix it. I fixed it myself for 50. To find out it was the passenger clicker. They have a recall on the passenger but dealer lied said it was driver side to get me to pay n them 250
Infotainment screen went black when car had 42,000mi. Took to toyota dealer and charged $200 for same reset i did at home also charging ports do not work. Can't get any gps or anything information on car through screen all Took place in 2023
On 11/27/25 around 11:30 am , I went to stop at a stop sign before approaching the main road. I went to stop at the stop sign and hit the brakes as I proceded to turn left on to the main Road there was a car coming on the main road and I hit my brakes to stop from causing me to run into him when I hit the brakes to avoid hitting the other car , the brakes locked and would not stop the car. Causing the car to swerve and hit the car, went to the other side of the street , hit a pole , and damaged my left and right back and front of my car and hit the other car as well. It was not the first time that the brakes did this to me, however the first time that that happened thankfully I did not hit anyone on the on going road , but the brakes freed up and I continued driving. This timethe brakes froze and the car went out of control. I almost lost my life me and my husband who was a passenger in the car. The person whom I hit in the other car saw that I tried to stop and the car went out of control. The car would not stop. I am concerned because for a long time I have been telling the dealer when I go for service I complained about the knocking of the brakes when I press to stop. They said nothing is wrong and they never did anything about it. Now today I went to the dealer to complain about the accident I was in and wanted them to inspect the brakes. They wanted to charge me 199.00 and I refused to have them diagnose the car because this appears to be problem with the car and nothing on my part. It may be a sensor issue or something. I felt that the car was being operated remotley in other words I had no control the car spinned out of control and the brake system did not work. I want to get rid of this car because I have had 4 accidents with this car since I purchased it in May of 2022. I am now afraid to drive the car after this incident. Please someone help me with this situation.
The vehicle was proceeding on the freeway when the drivers side rear tire blew out and went completely flat. The low pressure tire warning system that alerted us never indicated that the air pressure was low or getting low, but rather it had instantly dropped to 0 PSI. There was no integrity left to the tire which posed an extreme safety hazard to the stability of the vehicle. Upon contacting Bridgestone I was asked to have a third party company inspect the tire to which we complied. The inspection revealed that the tire had suffered a failure due to a manufacturing defect and not wear/tear or accidental damage. The tires equipped on the vehicle are approximately one year old with less than 3,800 miles on them. Bridgestone is refusing to honor a replacement due to their defect unless I purchase an extended warranty for all 4 tires. Tire Size: 215 / 55 R 17
I was driving home from work. I was on the the highway driving approximately 55 mph. All of a sudden I heard what can only be described as a gun shot or explosion. It was extremely loud and it almost caused me to run into the guardrail. I then heard glass falling onto the safety shield of my moonroof. I got home and inspected the moonroof and there was a large hole in the moonroof. The glass appeared to push out from inside the car. There were zero signs that this would happen. The moonroof is never used. It was approximately 75 degrees and partly cloudy when this occurred.
Read 14 more owner reports
While driving, the tire sidewall ripped in half. I had reported this as a tire failure but Firestone (owns Bridgestone) stated that this was caused by the vehicle (Toyota Avalon). I did want to report this in case there are other incidents.
Tire blew out, the outer sidewall completely came apart at the seams. There was no external pressure and there are less than 5,000 miles on the car. The PSI was at 35 as per the manufacturers spec.
A couple of months ago, my car started running a little rough as it would sit in idle mode. When suddenly my check engine light came on. I checked the codes and they seemed to be P0445 Evaporitive emission system leak detected (large leak). And P0441 Evaporative emission system. Incorrect Purge Flow. P0505 Idle control system. And P0171 System to Lean Bank 1 and P0174 System to Lean. Bank 2 and P0172 System Too Rich and P1170 and P117B Manufacture Control. But other then just running a little rough at idle that was about all that I had noticed until I went to go fuel up back in October. My fuel was low so I went to fuel up and after wards, my car struggled really hard to start. And every time since that days it’s progressively gotten worse. Last week I kept my car running while I fueled up and as I drove away from the gas station, my car just stalled out completely. It took me about an hour and a half before my car would start again. I was waiting for the tow truck to come get me and thank God inc checked it one more time and it started. Now just recently, when I put my car in park the engine immediately Reva up super high. It started to wine really loud and rpm go through the roof. Until I shut the car off. So I am unable to sit in idle at all anymore. I decided to Google what could be going on with my car and then I seen this recall on the fuel pump off some Toyota Avalon 2019 & 2020 models. But much to my surprise, my Vin/Vehicle is not listed. Will Toyota still replace the fuel pump for free? Please contact me as soon as possible. I really need to address this issue. Thank You!
To Whom It May Concern, I am filing this complaint to report Right Toyota in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Toyota Motor Corporation for their mishandling of a critical airbag safety recall (23TA15) on my 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. The lack of transparency, misleading information, and failure to provide a remedy has left me with a vehicle that is unsafe to drive and has caused significant financial hardship. 1. Right Toyota never informed me of the recall, despite multiple service visits throughout the year. I only discovered this issue through my insurance company in August 2024. 2. I scheduled service appointments with Right Toyota on August 23rd and October 15th, 2023, after learning about the recall. Each time, I was told that there was no remedy available, and I was not offered any alternative solutions or a loaner vehicle. Toyota’s Brand Engagement Team later confirmed that a remedy for my specific vehicle is not expected until March 2026. 3. I called Right Toyota back after the manufacturer told me the dealership was meant to solve this issue by offering me a loaner vehicle or buying my car off me. I spoke to Jason Murdoch who informed it was preposterous to think they would offer me a loaner vehicle until 2026 and that the only option he could offer is buying my car off me 8K negative on what I still owe on my car loan. He told me the dealerships hands were tied unless NHTSA or the manufacturer gave specific instructions for me. 4. I have since relocated to Hawaii, where I cannot use the vehicle due to safety concerns. I am still making loan payments on a car that I cannot drive, and Right Toyota’s refusal to offer any assistance has placed me in a difficult situation. I request that Toyota and Right Toyota either: Repurchase the Vehicle: Take back the vehicle and pay off the remaining loan balance. Provide an Immediate Solution: If repurchasing is not possible, arrange for a free airbag repair or provide a rental vehicle until the remedy is available.
TIE ROD LOOSE I heard a clunking noise while turning the steering wheel to the left at very low speeds. Took car in for service Service Mechanic found left outer tie rod end "with play, loose" Safety issue: potential loss of steering ability while driving Vehicle has been inspected and repaired - (my cost $1308.94) - images attached No warning messages / appeared about a month before I went in... it became progressively worse with time
When refueling vehicle, gasoline backs up immediately, doesn't shut off gas hose and pours out all over vehicle and feet of person refueling. Today is the 4th time it's happened. It's been to Gettle Toyota of Lakewood in Bradenton FL for this exact complaint and was told there's nothing wrong with the vehicle.
on 3 lane expressway (US422)about 1/4 mile from where the lanes split( see attached). No cars in front of me but cars in the lane to my left slowed. My car suddenly braked causing the car behind me to swerve to my right to avoid a collision. The adaptive breaking (incorrectly) determined that there was a collision hazard, thus creating an actual collision hazard
This has happened 3 times now. When putting gas in and the pump kicks off fuel gushes out of the tank. I only had a quarter of a tank at the time. Only got $1 worth in the last time this happened. If you try to put more fuel in pump will kick off then it just pushes fuel out all over the ground, which could easily cause a fire. Took to the dealer today to get this on record, had a full tank so they did not not try to gas it up. Get no warning that this is going to happen. On all 3 occasions I was able to gas up without an issue the next day.
I represent the family of a fatally injured rollaway victim. It is on their behalf I am reporting the circumstances of this incident and to strongly urge that NHTSA update the rollaway requirements specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114. On August 22, 2020, It is believed that while attempting to retrieve the key fob, the driver inadvertently bumped the gear selector forward into Neutral, releasing the torque to the wheels that had kept it stationary on their sloped driveway. (Unlike shifting out of the Park position, which requires application of the brake pedal and depressing the lock button on the shift selector, the shift selector can be moved from Drive forward into the Neutral position, without a secondary interlocking action.) The drivers wife, who was behind the vehicle. was pinned by the car and dragged under to her death. The position of the transmission gear selector was not documented by any witnesses or first responders when the vehicle eventually came to rest on the opposite side of the road, not is it documented in the extensive data stored within the vehicle. However, the data retrieved from the subject vehicle during a subsequent inspection revealed that the Vehicle Control History (VCH) included a field for “Driver Exited Vehicle When Shift Position Wasn’t P” which showed that at the time of the incident that is exactly what happened. Finally, there is ample evidence to support the need for an upgrade of the rollaway provisions within FMVSS 114 – as the facts above show. It’s not enough for a safety agency to simply allow manufacturers to do so voluntarily. . Instead, the Toyota was content to collect the data and blame the driver for an event that it clearly knows occurs and has extensive information about, but fails to prevent. The public needs to rely on NHTSA to promulgate updated regulations that meet the safety needs presented to drivers of modern vehicles.
ON OCTOBER 28, 2020, TOYOTA ANNOUNCED IT WAS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING CERTAIN TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 2017 THROUGH DECEMBER 2019 DUE TO THE SAME FUEL PUMP ISSUE FOR WHICH THEY ANNOUNCED A SAFETY RECALL IN JANUARY 2020. THE REFERENCED VEHICLE DOOR STICKER SHOWS A PRODUCTION DATE OF 12/19, WHICH IS WITHIN THE PRODUCTION PERIOD ANNOUNCED ON 10/28/2020. HOWEVER, THE VIN ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT APPEAR ON ANY RECALL LIST AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. NONETHELESS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL: WHEN MAKING A TURN OR DRIVING ON CITY STREETS; IN SOME INSTANCES (INCLUDING TODAY) IT IS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT; OTHER TIMES IT IS WHEN ACCELERATING. THERE HAVE BEEN TWO INSTANCES WHERE THIS HAPPENED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. IN ONE SUCH INSTANCE, A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED MOMENTARILY ON THE VEHICLE'S DISPLAY. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE SELLING DEALER DURING THE LAST ROUTINE MAINTENANCE VISIT ON MAY 4, 2021. IN REFERENCE TO THIS COMPLAINT, THE DEALER WORK ORDER REPORTED TECHNICIAN "WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN AT THIS TIME VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING WITHIN ALL MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS".
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, WHEN THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT ANY OBJECT CAUSING THE IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER HERITAGE TOYOTA OWINGS MILLS (9801 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117: (844) 202-9429), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUNROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,937.
RECALL# 20V-682,IF A VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING,THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TOYOTA IS TALKING ABOUT THE RECALL FOR A LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH MAY STOP OPERATING.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONDITION WHICH COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN REPORTED TO ME IN NOVEMBER 2020 WITH NO REMEDY IN SIGHT.ALL I WANT IS FOR TOYOTA TO FIX MY PROBLEM ASAP,OR TELL ME TO PARK MY VEHICLE AND USE A LOANER FROM TOYOTA TILL SERIOUS CONDITION IS FIXED.THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMPS MADE IN CHINA FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
We have received a recall for the sensors and airbag on our car back in December of 2023. Every time we call the dealership they tell us they can't get a send because the parts are not available. I cannot seem to get any movement with this. I've tried to contacting Toyota corporate but their website leaves much to be desired to contact anybody about this. So I am here asking for you to help me. I think waiting for over 2 years for a safety recall is beyond reasonable. We need to find some remedies.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
Showing 20 of 477 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Toyota Avalon
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Toyota Avalon, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota Avalon has 477 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota Avalon has 26 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 51 of the Toyota Avalon's 477 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota Avalon vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Toyota Avalon vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota Avalon has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Toyota Avalon.
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Toyota Avalon reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Avalon reliable?
Poor. The Toyota Avalon has 477 NHTSA owner complaints and 26 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Toyota Avalon years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2013 (160 complaints), 2014 (96 complaints), 2019 (68 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Toyota Avalon problems?
Top reported issues: UNKNOWN OR OTHER (78 complaints); AIR BAGS (59 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (58 complaints).
Does the Toyota Avalon have recalls?
Yes — 26 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Toyota Avalon. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.