4T1BD1EB3GU0519562016 TOYOTA AvalonHybrid
Executive Summary
2016 TOYOTA Avalon was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 23 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- ▸3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- ▸2 injuries reported across 23 owner complaints
- ▸Safety Systems is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
- Make
- TOYOTA
- Model
- Avalon
- Year
- 2016
- Trim / Series
- Hybrid
- Body Style
- Sedan/Saloon
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.5L 156 hp
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING, KENTUCKY, INC.
- Assembly
- GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
- Electrification
- Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
One of the most decorated assembly plants in North America. Builds Camry and Avalon.
- ✓JD Power IQS #1 Mid-Size Car (multiple years)
- ✓JD Power Platinum Plant Award
- ▸Airbag system recall
- ▸1 complaint(s) involved a fire
- ▸1 EV battery fire/thermal complaint(s)
- ⚠3 recalls on same component: Safety Systems
- ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~86%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
TOYOTA has an excellent recall completion rate (95%) — owners typically receive a remedy within 14 months.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~14 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
SummaryToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon, and 2017 Camry vehicles manufactured August 3, 2016, to September 12, 2016. The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.Read full details...
~8% chance this vehicle is still unrepaired
Low RiskSource: NHTSA published Takata completion data
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
SummaryToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."Read full details...
~8% chance this vehicle is still unrepaired
Low RiskSource: NHTSA published Takata completion data
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
SummaryToyota 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.Read full details...
~25% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
2 injuries reported across 23 complaints — elevated injury rate for this class of vehicle.
35% of complaints filed in Feb & Jan — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
The blue line shows 23 total NHTSA complaints filed over 8 years, with the worst year being 2019 (5 complaints, including 1 crash report).
The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 95/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.
Notably, despite 23 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2 years (2019, 2020) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
2GR-FKS and related 3.5L V6 engines exhibit excessive oil consumption due to piston ring design. Toyota issued Special Service Campaign SSC 80G extending warranty coverage for oil consumption diagnosis and piston ring replacement where consumption exceeds 1 quart per 1,200 miles.
Coverage eligibility depends on your VIN, original sale date, and current mileage. Always verify with an authorized dealer or manufacturer customer service — programs may have been updated since this database was compiled.
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $46,614 (~$777/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
TOYOTA has been fined $1217M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Criminal settlement — concealed unintended acceleration defects for years before recall.
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 4T1BD1EB3GU051956 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Make | TOYOTA |
| Model | Avalon |
| Trim | Hybrid |
| Series | GSX40L/AVX40L |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.5 |
| Horsepower | 156 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING, KENTUCKY, INC. |
| Assembly City | GEORGETOWN |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 4T1 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 3 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | G |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | U |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 051956 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 23 |
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 4/28/2026, 6:48:23 PM.