Which Avalon years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013 as Avoid years for the Toyota Avalon, based on complaint index and recall counts.

Which Sonata years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011 through 2016 as Avoid years for the Hyundai Sonata, with 2011 carrying the highest complaint index of any year at 100 and 14 recall campaigns.

Does the Sonata have more complaints than the Avalon?

Yes. The Sonata has 14,446 total complaints across 21 model years (688 per year) compared to 1,897 total for the Avalon across 18 model years (105 per year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Sonata averages 27.1 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.8 mpg for the Avalon, based on EPA figures.

Are there Do Not Drive recalls on either model?

The Sonata's 2015 model year carries 2 do-not-drive recalls, and its 2023 model year verdict is capped to Caution because of a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall. The Avalon shows no do-not-drive recalls in any model year listed.

Toyota Avalon vs Hyundai Sonata: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Avalon owners should avoid 2005-2008 and 2013; Hyundai Sonata owners should avoid 2011-2016. The Avalon averages 105 complaints per model year against 688 for the Sonata, though totals aren't sales-normalized. The Avalon also gets better combined fuel economy on average, 23.8 mpg versus 27.1 mpg for the Sonata (Sonata is actually higher here).

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 ★

Hyundai Sonata

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 14,446
Per model year: 688
Recall campaigns: 48
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Best years: 2022, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 27.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

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				Sonata
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Avoid	228	7	22	Good	165	1	21
2006	Avoid	360	7	23	Caution	1,047	9	24
2007	Avoid	243	6	23	Caution	696	5	24
2008	Avoid	349	6	22	Good	425	3	24
2009	Caution	91	7	23	Caution	460	2	25
2010	Good	46	7	23	Good	345	2	25
2011	Caution	106	1	23	Avoid	3,376	14	26
2012	Good	30	4	22	Avoid	1,556	8	27
2013	Avoid	137	4	24.5	Avoid	1,910	9	27
2014	Caution	96	4	24.5	Avoid	746	7	25.5
2015	Good	41	2	24	Avoid	1,144	9	27
2016	Best	23	3	24	Avoid	725	6	28
2017	Good	14	2	24	Caution	764	3	28
2018	Best	24	2	24	Caution	373	1	28.5
2019	Caution	70	4	25.5	Good	161	0	28.5
2020	Best	10	3	25.5	Good	178	4	31
2021	Best	21	2	25.5	Good	133	4	30.5
2022	Best	8	0	25.5	Best	93	3	31
2023	—	—	—	—	Caution	87	2	31
2024	—	—	—	—	Best	46	1	28
2025	—	—	—	—	Best	16	0	28.5

Complaint Index by year

Toyota Avalon

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

Hyundai Sonata

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Avalon years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013 as Avoid years for the Toyota Avalon, based on complaint index and recall counts.
Which Sonata years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011 through 2016 as Avoid years for the Hyundai Sonata, with 2011 carrying the highest complaint index of any year at 100 and 14 recall campaigns.
Does the Sonata have more complaints than the Avalon?: Yes. The Sonata has 14,446 total complaints across 21 model years (688 per year) compared to 1,897 total for the Avalon across 18 model years (105 per year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Sonata averages 27.1 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.8 mpg for the Avalon, based on EPA figures.
Are there Do Not Drive recalls on either model?: The Sonata's 2015 model year carries 2 do-not-drive recalls, and its 2023 model year verdict is capped to Caution because of a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall. The Avalon shows no do-not-drive recalls in any model year listed.