Toyota Avalon years to avoid and best years
Newer Toyota Avalon years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2013 has the most complaints per year, at 23 (160 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2022 at 1 (from 8 complaints), 2020 at 2 (from 10 complaints), and 2021 at 2 (from 21 complaints). On the 2013 Toyota Avalon, 15 of 160 complaints name Structure.
Data as of .
Toyota Avalon reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Toyota Avalon. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 → Fewest | 1 | 8 | 0 | Tires | 34.5 |
| 2021 → Fewest | 2 | 21 | 2 | Air bags | 31.8 |
| 2020 → Fewest | 2 | 10 | 3 | Fuel and propulsion system | 34.5 |
| 2019 → | 14 | 70 | 4 | Fuel and propulsion system | 34.5 |
| 2018 → | 5 | 24 | 2 | Air bags | 32 |
| 2017 → | 3 | 14 | 2 | Engine | 32 |
| 2016 → | 3 | 23 | 3 | Air bags | 32 |
| 2015 → | 8 | 53 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | 32 |
| 2014 → | 18 | 96 | 4 | Forward collision avoidance | 29.7 |
| 2013 → Most | 23 | 160 | 4 | Structure | 29.7 |
| 2012 → | 2 | 30 | 4 | Structure | 22 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 5W-30 (3.5L V6, 2012 only); 0W-20 (3.5L V6, 2013–2018; 2.5L Hybrid, 2013–2018) · 6.4 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 215/60R16 (2012 Base), 215/55R17 (XLE and most trims), 225/45R18 (2016 Limited/Touring)
Known issues for this generation
Recall 20V-024 covers certain 2012–2018 Avalon and 2013–2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles (along with other Toyota models). During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit may malfunction and may disable deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners; dealers inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness when needed, free of charge. Recall 15V-728 covers certain 2013–2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles with the optional Pre-Collision System: the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object, increasing the risk of a crash; dealers replace certain PCS components, free of charge (Toyota campaign numbers F1V and F2E). Recall 14V-715 covers certain 2014 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles equipped with 16-inch and 17-inch rims in which the left-side front suspension lower arm may have been incorrectly manufactured, so the lower arm may separate from the ball joint; dealers replace the left lower arm, free of charge.
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 0W-20 · 4.8 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 215/55R17 (XLE), 235/45R18 (Limited and Hybrid Limited), 235/40R19 (XSE, Touring, TRD)
Known issues for this generation
Recall 20V-682 covers certain 2019–2020 Avalon vehicles (among many other Toyota and Lexus models). The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail; if it fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash; dealers replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Recall 18V-685 covers certain 2019 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles in which the air bag electronic control unit may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check, so the ECU may not deploy the air bags as intended in a crash; dealers update the air bag ECU software, free of charge (Toyota campaign J0X; NHTSA notes 18V-122 was superseded by this recall).
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Avalon years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2022 at 1 (from 8 complaints), 2020 at 2 (from 10 complaints), and 2021 at 2 (from 21 complaints).
Which Toyota Avalon year has the most owner complaints?
2013 has the most complaints per year, at 23 (160 complaints). On the 2013 Toyota Avalon, 15 of 160 complaints name Structure.
How do Toyota Avalon owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Toyota Avalon years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones.
When was the Toyota Avalon discontinued in the US?
Toyota ended US Avalon production after the 2022 model year; the fifth-generation car was built in Georgetown, Kentucky through that run.
What generation is a 2016 Toyota Avalon?
4th generation XX40 (2012–2018 in this catalog).
Does the Avalon Hybrid use the same engine oil as the V6?
Both use 0W-20 in the XX40 and XX50 generations, but oil capacity differs: about 4.6 qt with filter on the 2.5L Hybrid versus about 6.4 qt on the 3.5L V6 (XX40); confirm on the dipstick for your engine.