Toyota Avalon Hybrid Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Avalon Hybrid model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (1) and the 2013 the most (23).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 40 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 3 | Fuel system | 5★ | 43 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 2 | Power train | 5★ | 40 |
| 2021 | 6 | 1 | Air bags | 5★ | 43 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
12 | 2 | Service brakes | 5★ | 40 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
18 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 40 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
23 | 3 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 40 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Avalon Hybrid years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 5 (22%); Air bags 3 (13%); Seats 3 (13%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 26,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 18 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 3 (17%); Electrical system 2 (11%); Forward collision avoidance 2 (11%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 16,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 5 (42%); Electrical system 3 (25%); Electronic stability control 2 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Avalon Hybrid years with the fewest complaints
2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (100%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 1 (100%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 1 (50%); Steering 1 (50%); Suspension 1 (50%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Avalon Hybrid owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2013 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 26,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota Avalon Hybrid recalls
- Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Deploy (2013–2018 model years; 2,891,976 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V024000)
- OCS Sensors May Short Circuit (2020–2021 model years; 999,901 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V865000)
- Air Bags May Not Deploy as Intended/FMVSS 208, 214 (2019 model year; 168,187 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2018; 18V685000)
- Engine may Leak Coolant (2020 model year; 44,191 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2020; 20V064000)
- Unexpected Braking due to Pre-Collision System (2013–2015 model years; 30,812 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2015; 15V728000)
All 10 Toyota Avalon Hybrid recall campaigns · Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota Avalon Hybrid years FAQ
Which Toyota Avalon Hybrid year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota Avalon Hybrid years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2014 and 2015 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota Avalon Hybrid problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (10 of 63 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Avalon Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Avalon Hybrid. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Avalon Hybrid recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.