NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Avalon[1]. Structure and air bags lead the list, with 6 complaints each[2][3].
Most reported problems
Here is how the complaints break down by component group, biggest first. - Structure. 6 complaints[2]. Owners describe a loose front bumper, a trunk lid that drops shut on its own, and a shattered sunroof. - Air Bags. 6 complaints[3]. In the stories we read, owners say the bags stayed closed in hard collisions, or that a passenger side bag was switched off and would not reset. - Speed Control. 4 complaints[6]. Owners describe the car racing ahead or the engine revving while the brakes seemed to stop working. - Electrical System. 4 complaints[7]. Owners describe waiting on parts for a repair after a notice arrived. - Brakes. 3 complaints[8]. - Visibility/Wiper. 3 complaints[9]. - Unknown Or Other. 2 complaints[10]. - Suspension. 1 complaint[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Avalon is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (20V024), January 2020. About 2,891,976 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Seat Belts (18V569), August 2018. About 19,354 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Electrical System (15V047), January 2015. About 51,495 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner (13V442), October 2013. About 802,769 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, steering problems, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[5] | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD[16] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 11.1% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Avalon with 3.5L 6-cylinder[17] | 268 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVALON 4DR SEDAN XLS[18] | 197 in | 73 in | 58 in | 111 in | 3,560 lb |
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 80 | 0 |
| 1996 | 109 | 0 |
| 1997 | 125 | 1 |
| 1998 | 178 | 1 |
| 1999 | 92 | 1 |
| 2000 | 173 | 2 |
| 2001 | 134 | 2 |
| 2002 | 116 | 1 |
| 2003 | 293 | 2 |
| 2004 | 205 | 3 |
| 2005 | 228 | 7 |
| 2006 | 360 | 7 |
| 2007 | 243 | 6 |
| 2008 | 349 | 6 |
| 2009 | 91 | 7 |
| 2010 | 46 | 7 |
| 2011 | 106 | 1 |
| 2012 | 30 | 4 |
| 2013 | 160 | 4 |
| 2014 | 114 | 4 |
| 2015 | 53 | 2 |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 |
| 2018 | 25 | 2 |
| 2019 | 72 | 5 |
| 2020 | 10 | 4 |
| 2021 | 27 | 2 |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Avalon show 30 complaints and 4 recalls for 2012[4]. Among the 28 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 21 have more[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (8) and the most are for 2006 (360)[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Avalon?
The 2012 Avalon has a modest complaint record, with 30 reports on file[1]. The biggest groups are structure and air bags[2][3]. Some of the air bag and speed control reports involve crashes, so those deserve a close look[3][6]. This year also has recalls on record[4]. Check the sections below for recalls, fuel economy and crash ratings before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Avalon?
- Owners filed 30 complaints[1]. Structure and air bags each have 6[2][3].
- Does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year[4]. See the Recalls section for the full list.
- How many complaints are about air bags?
- 6 complaints name the air bag group[3].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Toyota Avalon?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.
- Is the 2012 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- Complaints total 30[1]. Read the problem groups above and the by-year comparison on this page to judge for yourself.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Toyota Avalon
Compare all model years of the Toyota Avalon
Other Toyota models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: large cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Avalon (8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,100). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Avalon model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 4 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V024, filed January 17, 2020: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V569, filed August 29, 2018: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V047, filed January 28, 2015: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V442, filed October 17, 2013: Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Toyota Avalon with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 268 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALON 4DR SEDAN XLS: length 197 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,560 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov