Toyota Avalon Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Toyota Avalon? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Toyota Avalon — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022Best | Excellent | — | 5 | — | — | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2021 | Excellent | 2 | 13 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2020 | Excellent | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Full report → |
| 2019 | Good | 3 | 46 | 3 | — | — | Fuel/Propulsion System | Full report → |
| 2018 | Good | 1 | 16 | 7 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2017 | Excellent | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2016 | Good | 1 | 22 | 6 | 6 | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2015 | Excellent | 2 | 18 | 1 | — | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Full report → |
| 2014 | Good | 3 | 57 | 2 | 2 | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2013 | Caution | 4 | 106 | 16 | 17 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | Full report → |
| 2012 | Excellent | 3 | 13 | — | 1 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2011 | Good | — | 52 | 3 | 3 | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 2010 | Good | 5 | 26 | 2 | 2 | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 2009 | Good | 5 | 53 | 3 | 4 | — | Exterior Lighting | Full report → |
| 2008 | Avoid | 4 | 186 | 15 | 3 | — | Exterior Lighting | Full report → |
| 2007 | Caution | 4 | 159 | 22 | 8 | 2 | Vehicle Speed Control | Full report → |
| 2006Worst | Avoid | 5 | 238 | 35 | 22 | 2 | Vehicle Speed Control | Full report → |
| 2005 | Caution | 4 | 148 | 19 | 8 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control | Full report → |
| 2004 | Caution | 2 | 101 | 19 | 12 | 4 | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2003 | Avoid | 2 | 175 | 38 | 15 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2002 | Caution | 1 | 79 | 23 | 17 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2001 | Caution | 2 | 73 | 19 | 17 | 1 | Vehicle Speed Control | Full report → |
| 2000 | Caution | 1 | 116 | 26 | 16 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
23 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Toyota Avalon Problems
Based on 1,715 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Avalon Years to Avoid
Best Avalon Years to Buy
Toyota Avalon Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Toyota Avalon Reliability
What year Avalon has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2006 Toyota Avalon had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 238 complaints and 5 safety recalls. See the full 2006 report for specific defects.
Is the Toyota Avalon reliable?
The Toyota Avalon has accumulated 1,715 owner-filed complaints and 59 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 12 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2022 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Avalon.
What are the most common Avalon problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Vehicle Speed Control (262 reports), Air Bags (251 reports), Steering (134 reports), Exterior Lighting (127 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Avalon has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Toyota Avalon VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Toyota Avalon VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily