NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Avalon[1]. The by-year data also lists 4 recalls[2].
Most reported problems
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several parts. Here are the largest groups. - Unknown or other. 5 complaints[5]. These reports do not point to one clear part. - Engine. 4 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe a car that is slow to start, or that hesitates for a few seconds when pulling away. One owner describes a fire that began after the car was parked and shut off. - Air bags. 4 complaints[7]. Owners describe warning lights coming on while driving, and frustration over recall work and parts that were not yet available. One owner describes the car leaving the lane and hitting objects. - Power train. 3 complaints[8]. Owners describe a car that surges or lags when they press the pedal, and one that stays in a low gear until it comes to a stop. - Structure. 3 complaints[9]. Owners describe the glass roof panel breaking suddenly with a loud bang. One owner describes the car lurching forward while pulling into a parking space.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2016 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.[10]
- Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft (17V462), July 2017. About 671 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[11]
- Air Bags › Knee Bolster (16V906), December 2016. About 12 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (16V215), April 2016. About 58,515 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]
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.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVALON 4DR SEDAN[16] | 195 in | 72 in | 57 in | 111 in | 3,549 lb |
How 2016 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 25 complaints and 4 recalls for 2016[2]. Among the 28 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2016 and 23 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (8) and the most are for 2006 (360)[2]. 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 2016 Avalon?
The complaint count for this year is modest at 25[1]. The reports spread across many parts, and the largest groups hold only a handful each[5][6][7]. Owners describe hesitation or odd shifting, and some mention warning lights and recall frustration. A small number of reports involve a crash or a fire[1]. Check the recall section on this page and ask a seller for service records before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2016 Toyota Avalon?
- NHTSA has 25 complaints for this year[1]. The biggest named groups are engine and air bags[6][7]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2016 Toyota Avalon have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year data lists 4 recalls[2]. The recalls section on this page lists each one.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Toyota Avalon?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2016 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- The record shows 25 complaints[1] spread across several groups[5][6][7]. Read the problems and recalls sections, then judge for yourself.
- How does 2016 compare with other Avalon years?
- See the by-year comparison on this page, which is built from the same complaint and recall data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Toyota Avalon
Compare all model years of the Toyota Avalon
Other Toyota models from 2016
- 2016 Toyota Tundra
- 2016 Toyota Corolla
- 2016 Toyota Highlander
- 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser
- 2016 Toyota Prius
- 2016 Toyota RAV4
Similar cars from 2016: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Avalon (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Avalon model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avalon Hybrid, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 39 highway / 40 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V024, filed January 17, 2020: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V462, filed July 20, 2017: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V906, filed December 16, 2016: Air Bags › Knee Bolster. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V215, filed April 14, 2016: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALON 4DR SEDAN: length 195 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,549 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov