Toyota Avalon Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Avalon 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 2020 drew the fewest (10) and the 2006 the most (360).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 0 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 25–44 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
10 | 3 | Fuel/propulsion system | 5★ | 25–44 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 24 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
21 | 2 | Air bags | 5★ | 25–44 |
| 2016 | 23 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 | 2 | Air bags | 5★ | 24 |
| 2012 | 30 | 4 | Air bags | — | 22 |
| 2015 | 41 | 2 | Service brakes | 5★ | 24 |
| 2010 | 46 | 7 | Vehicle speed control | — | 23 |
| 2019 | 71 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 25–44 |
| 2009 | 91 | 7 | Exterior lighting | — | 23 |
| 2014 | 96 | 4 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 24–25 |
| 2011 | 106 | 1 | Steering | — | 23 |
| 2013 | 137 | 4 | Structure | 5★ | 24–25 |
| 2004 | 205 | 3 | Air bags | — | 22 |
| 2005 | 228 | 7 | Vehicle speed control | — | 22 |
| 2007 | 243 | 6 | Vehicle speed control | — | 23 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
293 | 2 | Air bags | — | 22 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
349 | 6 | Exterior lighting | — | 22 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
360 | 7 | Vehicle speed control | — | 23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Avalon 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.
2006 Toyota Avalon: 360 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 103 (29%); Engine and engine cooling 57 (16%); Power train 52 (14%).
Reports mention 54 crashes, 4 fires, 35 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Toyota Avalon: 349 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 209 (60%); Vehicle speed control 45 (13%); Electrical system 44 (13%).
Reports mention 23 crashes, 4 fires, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 52,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2003 Toyota Avalon: 293 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 184 (63%); Vehicle speed control 51 (17%); Steering 19 (6%).
Reports mention 49 crashes, 2 fires, 28 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 83,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Avalon years with the fewest complaints
2020 Toyota Avalon: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 5 (50%); Forward collision avoidance 2 (20%); Air bags 1 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 death. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Toyota Avalon: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 6 (43%); Vehicle speed control 3 (21%); Air bags 2 (14%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries, 10 deaths. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Toyota Avalon: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 12 (57%); Engine 4 (19%); Vehicle speed control 3 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Avalon owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2019 | 71 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5,233 |
| 2018 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11,000 |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | — |
| 2016 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 31,000 |
| 2015 | 41 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2014 | 96 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 14,000 |
| 2013 | 137 | 14 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18,500 |
| 2012 | 30 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 33,000 |
| 2011 | 106 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 35,400 |
| 2010 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 13,000 |
| 2009 | 91 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 49,920 |
| 2008 | 349 | 23 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 52,000 |
| 2007 | 243 | 47 | 1 | 35 | 4 | 41,000 |
| 2006 | 360 | 54 | 4 | 35 | 2 | 45,000 |
| 2005 | 228 | 36 | 3 | 21 | 1 | 47,900 |
| 2004 | 205 | 27 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 68,771 |
| 2003 | 293 | 49 | 2 | 28 | 1 | 83,000 |
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 recalls
- PEDAL ENTRAPMENT (2005–2010 model years; 4,445,056 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2009; 09V388000)
- Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Deploy (2012–2018 model years; 2,891,976 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V024000)
- STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL (2005–2010 model years; 2,230,661 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2010; 10V017000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2018–2019 model years; 1,830,752 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V012000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2019–2020 model years; 1,525,742 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2020; 20V682000)
All 34 Toyota Avalon recall campaigns · Toyota Avalon 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 years FAQ
Which Toyota Avalon year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (10). 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 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 2006, 2008 and 2003 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the vehicle speed control. 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 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the vehicle speed control (474 of 2,396 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Avalon have?
NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Avalon. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Avalon 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.