VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Toyota Avalon2000–2022
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Toyota Avalon
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Toyota Avalon Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 241 complaints
22 reported injuries
Top issue: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
0 recalls · 175 complaints
15 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
4 recalls · 186 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Avalon became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Toyota Avalon — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 69 | 81 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 13 | — | — | 63 | 84 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 67 | 83 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 4 | 49 | — | — | 44 | 79 | 56 | Good |
| 2018 | 2 | 16 | 7 | — | 49 | 73 | 57 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 60 | 66 | 62 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 3 | 22 | 6 | — | 44 | 59 | 49 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 19 | — | — | 61 | 52 | 58 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 1 | 57 | 2 | — | 44 | 46 | 45 | Good |
| 2013 | 3 | 106 | 17 | — | 44 | 41 | 43 | Caution |
| 2012 | 3 | 13 | 1 | — | 59 | 37 | 51 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 52 | 3 | — | 44 | 34 | 41 | Good |
| 2010 | 5 | 26 | 2 | — | 44 | 34 | 41 | Good |
| 2009 | 5 | 53 | 4 | — | 44 | 34 | 41 | Good |
| 2008 | 4 | 186 | 3 | — | 44 | 34 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 4 | 160 | 10 | 2 | 44 | 34 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 5 | 241 | 22 | 2 | 44 | 34 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 4 | 148 | 8 | 1 | 44 | 34 | 41 | Caution |
| 2004 | 0 | 101 | 12 | 4 | 44 | 34 | 41 | Caution |
| 2003 | 0 | 175 | 15 | — | 44 | 34 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 0 | 79 | 17 | — | 44 | 34 | 41 | Caution |
| 2001 | 0 | 73 | 17 | 1 | 44 | 34 | 41 | Caution |
| 2000 | 0 | 116 | 16 | — | 44 | 34 | 41 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Toyota Avalon Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Avalon compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 73).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 62).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Avalon to buy?+
The 2020 Toyota Avalon scores highest on our Buyer Score (73/100) — combining a reliability score of 67/100 with a value score of 83/100. It has 3 recalls and 5 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Avalon years have the most problems?+
The 2006, 2003, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 Avalon leads with 5 recalls and 241 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Avalon problems?+
The most frequently reported Toyota Avalon issues involve: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS, STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.