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

For the Avalon, NHTSA data flags 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2019. For the Sentra, it flags 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019.

Which model has more reported complaints?

The Sentra has 3,249 total complaints over 16 model years (203 per year) versus the Avalon's 624 over 13 model years (48 per year), though NHTSA totals are not normalized for sales volume.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Sentra averages 30.7 MPG combined compared to the Avalon's 24.2 MPG combined.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

The Avalon's top areas are Engine (109 complaints, 17%) and Electrical System (98 complaints, 16%). The Sentra's top area is Transmission & Powertrain (1,106 complaints, 34%), followed by Engine (725 complaints, 22%).

Which years are considered the best for each model?

NHTSA data marks 2020, 2021 and 2022 as best years for the Avalon, and 2010, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as best years for the Sentra.

Toyota Avalon vs Nissan Sentra: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Avalon owners should be cautious with 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2019; Nissan Sentra owners should watch 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019. The Avalon logs 624 total complaints across 13 model years (48 per year) versus the Sentra's 3,249 across 16 years (203 per year), and the Sentra averages 30.7 MPG combined vs the Avalon's 24.2.

Head to head

Toyota Avalon

Model years: 2010–2022 (13)
NHTSA complaints: 624
Per model year: 48
Recall campaigns: 23
Years to avoid: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019
Best years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Nissan Sentra

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 3,249
Per model year: 203
Recall campaigns: 28
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2022, 2023
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 30.7
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
2010	Caution	44	6	23	Best	144	3	26.5
2011	Avoid	106	1	23	Good	142	2	26
2012	Caution	30	4	22	Best	180	0	26
2013	Avoid	137	4	24.5	Avoid	638	6	33
2014	Avoid	96	4	24.5	Avoid	380	5	32.5
2015	Good	41	2	24	Avoid	351	3	32
2016	Good	23	3	24	Caution	270	6	32
2017	Caution	14	2	24	Caution	230	3	28.5
2018	Good	24	2	24	Good	185	2	28.5
2019	Avoid	70	4	25.5	Avoid	222	2	29
2020	Best	10	3	25.5	Caution	205	4	32.5
2021	Best	21	2	25.5	Caution	131	3	32.5
2022	Best	8	0	25.5	Best	81	2	32.5
2023	—	—	—	—	Best	20	1	32.5
2024	—	—	—	—	Good	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 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2019. For the Sentra, it flags 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019.
Which model has more reported complaints?: The Sentra has 3,249 total complaints over 16 model years (203 per year) versus the Avalon's 624 over 13 model years (48 per year), though NHTSA totals are not normalized for sales volume.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Sentra averages 30.7 MPG combined compared to the Avalon's 24.2 MPG combined.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: The Avalon's top areas are Engine (109 complaints, 17%) and Electrical System (98 complaints, 16%). The Sentra's top area is Transmission & Powertrain (1,106 complaints, 34%), followed by Engine (725 complaints, 22%).
Which years are considered the best for each model?: NHTSA data marks 2020, 2021 and 2022 as best years for the Avalon, and 2010, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as best years for the Sentra.