Which years should I avoid for the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Sentra?

For the Avalon, NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013 as Avoid years. For the Sentra, the Avoid years are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

Does the Avalon or Sentra have more complaints?

The Sentra has 3,911 total complaints over 21 model years (186 per year) versus the Avalon's 1,897 over 18 model years (105 per year). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which model has more recall campaigns?

The Nissan Sentra has 36 total recall campaigns compared to 27 for the Toyota Avalon.

What is the biggest problem area for each model?

For the Avalon, Engine complaints lead at 553 complaints (29% share). For the Sentra, Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 1,164 complaints (30% share).

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Sentra averages 29.6 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.8 mpg combined for the Avalon.

Toyota Avalon vs Nissan Sentra: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Avalon logs 1,897 complaints and 27 recalls across 2005-2022 (105 per model year); Nissan Sentra logs 3,911 complaints and 36 recalls across 2005-2025 (186 per model year). Avoid years are 2005-2008 and 2013 for the Avalon, and 2013-2015, 2017, 2019-2020 for the Sentra. Totals aren't sales-normalized, so this isn't a per-vehicle-owned comparison.

Head to head

Toyota Avalon

Model years: 2005–2022 (18)
NHTSA complaints: 1,897
Per model year: 105
Recall campaigns: 27
Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013
Best years: 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 23.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Nissan Sentra

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 3,911
Per model year: 186
Recall campaigns: 36
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020
Best years: 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 29.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.4 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Avalon				Sentra
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Avoid	228	7	22	Caution	170	5	25
2006	Avoid	360	7	23	Caution	116	5	25
2007	Avoid	243	6	23	Caution	154	1	26.5
2008	Avoid	349	6	22	Good	167	3	26.5
2009	Caution	91	7	23	Good	55	1	27
2010	Good	46	7	23	Good	144	3	26.5
2011	Caution	106	1	23	Caution	142	2	26
2012	Good	30	4	22	Good	180	0	26
2013	Avoid	137	4	24.5	Avoid	638	6	33
2014	Caution	96	4	24.5	Avoid	380	5	32.5
2015	Good	41	2	24	Avoid	351	3	32
2016	Best	23	3	24	Caution	270	6	32
2017	Good	14	2	24	Avoid	230	3	28.5
2018	Best	24	2	24	Caution	185	2	28.5
2019	Caution	70	4	25.5	Avoid	222	2	29
2020	Best	10	3	25.5	Avoid	205	4	32.5
2021	Best	21	2	25.5	Caution	131	3	32.5
2022	Best	8	0	25.5	Good	81	2	32.5
2023	—	—	—	—	Best	20	1	32.5
2024	—	—	—	—	Best	40	3	33.5
2025	—	—	—	—	Good	30	4	33.5

Complaint Index by year

Toyota Avalon

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Nissan Sentra

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Sentra?: For the Avalon, NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013 as Avoid years. For the Sentra, the Avoid years are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Does the Avalon or Sentra have more complaints?: The Sentra has 3,911 total complaints over 21 model years (186 per year) versus the Avalon's 1,897 over 18 model years (105 per year). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which model has more recall campaigns?: The Nissan Sentra has 36 total recall campaigns compared to 27 for the Toyota Avalon.
What is the biggest problem area for each model?: For the Avalon, Engine complaints lead at 553 complaints (29% share). For the Sentra, Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 1,164 complaints (30% share).
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Sentra averages 29.6 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.8 mpg combined for the Avalon.