Toyota Avalon 1996–2022
Summary
- 27 model years in 5 generations, 3,387 owner complaints in total.
- No model year stands out as the most complained-about of its generation.
- These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
- Half of the complaints that give a mileage were filed by 50,000 miles (2,065 of them give one).
- Owners reported 498 crashes, 27 fires, 347 injuries and 27 deaths across these model years.
- 37 recalls and 7 federal investigations cover these model years; 1 investigation is still open.
1996–1999
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Fewer than three years of this generation are comparable, so no year is named.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 1996 | 109 | 56 | Engine | |
| 1997 | 125 | 31 | Steering | not compared |
| 1998 | 178 | 73 | Windows, Wipers & Visibility | |
| 1999 | 92 | 34 | Airbags | not compared |
2000–2004
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Fewer than three years of this generation are comparable, so no year is named.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 2000 | 173 | 64 | Steering | |
| 2001 | 134 | 60 | Accelerator & Cruise Control | |
| 2002 | 116 | 24 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2003 | 293 | 26 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2004 | 205 | 15 | Airbags | not compared |
2005–2012
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 64.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 2005 | 228 | 57 | Accelerator & Cruise Control | |
| 2006 | 360 | 64 | Accelerator & Cruise Control | |
| 2007 | 243 | 42 | Accelerator & Cruise Control | not compared |
| 2008 | 349 | 91 | Lighting | |
| 2009 | 91 | 31 | Lighting | not compared |
| 2010 | 46 | 22 | Accelerator & Cruise Control | not compared |
| 2011 | 106 | 33 | Steering | not compared |
| 2012 | 30 | 7 | Body & Structure | not compared |
Accelerator & Cruise Control is the largest group in 2 of the 3 compared years.
2013–2018
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Fewer than three years of this generation are comparable, so no year is named.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 2013 | 160 | 69 | Windows, Wipers & Visibility | |
| 2014 | 114 | 71 | Driver Assistance | |
| 2015 | 54 | 23 | Brakes | not compared |
| 2016 | 25 | 11 | Engine | not compared |
| 2017 | 14 | 10 | Engine | not compared |
| 2018 | 25 | 15 | Airbags | not compared |
2019–2022
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Fewer than three years of this generation are comparable, so no year is named.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 2019 | 72 | 42 | Fuel & Propulsion | not compared |
| 2020 | 10 | 6 | Fuel & Propulsion | not compared |
| 2021 | 27 | 7 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2022 | 8 | 4 | Wheels & Tires | not compared |
Every model year
A model year gets its own page when four sources cover it, it holds at least 50 complaints, and it either compares with the other years of its generation or shows one system in 40% or more of the complaints that name a component. The rest are listed here with their figures.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Bulletins | Combined MPG | Page |
|---|
| 1996 | 109 | 0 | 3 | 51 | 21 | listed here |
| 1997 | 125 | 1 | 1 | 58 | 22 | listed here |
| 1998 | 178 | 2 | 1 | 78 | 22 | listed here |
| 1999 | 92 | 2 | 1 | 78 | 22 | listed here |
| 2000 | 173 | 2 | 1 | 124 | 22 | listed here |
| 2001 | 134 | 2 | 0 | 125 | 21 | listed here |
| 2002 | 116 | 1 | 0 | 109 | 22 | listed here |
| 2003 | 293 | 2 | 0 | 110 | 22 | yes |
| 2004 | 205 | 3 | 0 | 126 | 22 | yes |
| 2005 | 228 | 7 | 0 | 204 | 22 | yes |
| 2006 | 360 | 7 | 0 | 205 | 23 | yes |
| 2007 | 243 | 6 | 0 | 210 | 23 | listed here |
| 2008 | 349 | 6 | 0 | 267 | 22 | yes |
| 2009 | 91 | 7 | 0 | 285 | 23 | listed here |
| 2010 | 46 | 7 | 0 | 319 | 23 | listed here |
| 2011 | 106 | 1 | 0 | 274 | 23 | listed here |
| 2012 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 292 | 22 | listed here |
| 2013 | 160 | 4 | 4 | 742 | 24–40 | listed here |
| 2014 | 114 | 4 | 4 | 677 | 24–40 | listed here |
| 2015 | 54 | 2 | 4 | 494 | 24–40 | listed here |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 424 | 24–40 | listed here |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 221 | 24–40 | listed here |
| 2018 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 259 | 24–40 | listed here |
| 2019 | 72 | 5 | 1 | 368 | 25–44 | listed here |
| 2020 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 192 | 25–44 | listed here |
| 2021 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 300 | 25–44 | listed here |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 25–44 | listed here |
What owners report across all years
| System | Complaints | Share | Median mileage |
|---|
| Accelerator & Cruise Control | 605 | 19% | 40,000 mi |
| Airbags | 588 | 18% | 75,000 mi |
| Steering | 354 | 11% | 56,000 mi |
| Electrical System | 294 | 9% | 62,000 mi |
| Lighting | 294 | 9% | 58,000 mi |
Shares are over complaints that name a component; a complaint naming several systems is counted under each.
Accelerator & Cruise Control
Owner report On XXX I purchase the vehicle TOYOTA AVALON XSE, with VIN #: [XXX]. I purchase the vehicle at LARRY [XXX] AMERICAN TOYOTA in [XXX], with the LIEN [XXX] KIRTLAND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BANK same city of [XXX]. I was told the vehicle had a 160 point check, yet when I check the THUMB DRIVE that was given to me by the busine…
Owner report Immediately upon making a low-speed contact of my back bumper with a pole, the engine revved loudly. I attempted to go from reverse to drive to get some clearance from the pole. I then immediately attempted to put the car in park so I could get out and observe any damage. Immediately, the car accelerated extremely sudd…
Airbags
Owner report 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
Owner report March 13, 2026, I was on a road trip from CA to AZ and while driving around 75-80mph (speed limit), something in the driver's side seat belt or the shoulder holster exploded, the belt tightened, and something metal or plastic flew off. Shortly after (within 30 seconds or so), the passenger's side seat belt did somethin…
Steering
Owner report The steering latch to adjust steering wheel unlocks while I’m driving causing my steering wheel to drop literally while I’m driving.
Owner report I was driving my 2007 Toyota Avalon returning home from work and was driving on a local road at approximately 25 MPH and turning my vehicle towards right on a curved road and the steering wheel seized and car veered and jumped the curb causing the passenger side bottom of car protection plastic guard clips damaged. No…
Largest recalls
| Campaign | Component | Filed | Vehicles |
|---|
| 09V388000 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2009-10-05 | 4,445,056 |
| 20V024000 | AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | 2020-01-17 | 2,891,976 |
| 10V017000 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2010-01-21 | 2,230,661 |
| 20V012000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2020-01-13 | 1,830,752 |
| 20V682000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2020-11-04 | 1,525,742 |
Whether a recall has been done on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Open investigations
| Action | Component | Opened | Subject |
|---|
| DP23005 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2023-11-22 | Brake Actuator Valve Wear |
Service bulletins
Toyota issued 6,697 service bulletins covering these model years, most often about equipment.
A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so a bulletin listed here may not be specific to one year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.
| Date | Component | Summary |
|---|
| 2026-08-20 | ENGINE | This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries. |
| 2026-08-20 | ENGINE | OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26. |
| 2026-08-11 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Under certain conditions, debris can accumulate inside the fuel cap causing potential fuel vapor leaks that can cause increased evaporative emissions to exceed the regulated limits. This issue will not trigger the M.I.L. (Malfunction Indica… |
| 2026-08-11 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TF01 Certain 2018 – 2024 Model Year Camry HV and 2019-2022 Avalon HV Fuel Cap Negative Pressure Valve & Fuel Filler Dust Intrusion |
| 2026-02-27 | ENGINE | OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete. |
| 2026-02-13 | ENGINE | OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26. |
| 2026-02-13 | ENGINE | This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge… |
| 2026-01-30 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26. |
| 2026-01-28 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software. |
| 2026-01-07 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv… |
How to read this page
Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more after news coverage or a recall. That is why years are compared only with other years of the same generation, over the same span, and never with other models.
Sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications (data as of 2026-10-28).
- U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines and fuel economy.
This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection.