Which HR-V years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2019, 2023, and 2024 as the HR-V years to approach with caution, with 2023 posting a complaint index of 100 and 686 complaints, the highest of any HR-V year.

Which Avalon years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2019 as Avalon years to approach with caution. The 2013 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 137 complaints and a median failure mileage of 17,521.5.

Does the HR-V or Avalon have more complaints?

The HR-V has 1,823 total complaints across 10 model years (182 per year) versus the Avalon's 624 across 13 model years (48 per year), but NHTSA does not publish sales data, so totals aren't normalized per vehicle sold.

Which has better fuel economy, the HR-V or Avalon?

The HR-V averages 28.8 MPG combined versus the Avalon's 24.2 MPG combined. Individual HR-V years range from 27.5 to 29.5 MPG, while Avalon years range from 22 to 25.5 MPG.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

For the HR-V, Visibility & Wipers lead at 23% of complaints, followed by Electrical System at 18%. For the Avalon, Engine issues lead at 17%, followed by Electrical System at 16%.

Honda HR-V vs Toyota Avalon: Which Years to Avoid

Honda HR-V owners should be cautious about 2019, 2023, and 2024, while Toyota Avalon buyers should watch 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2019. The HR-V averages 182 complaints per model year against the Avalon's 48, but totals aren't sales-normalized, so this isn't a direct reliability comparison. The Avalon returns better fuel economy on paper for its class (24.2 vs 28.8 combined MPG, though the HR-V is the more efficient vehicle overall).

Head to head

Honda HR-V

Model years: 2016–2025 (10)
NHTSA complaints: 1,823
Per model year: 182
Recall campaigns: 13
Years to avoid: 2019, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2017, 2020, 2021
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

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 ★

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	HR-V				Avalon
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	—	—	—	—	Caution	44	6	23
2011	—	—	—	—	Avoid	106	1	23
2012	—	—	—	—	Caution	30	4	22
2013	—	—	—	—	Avoid	137	4	24.5
2014	—	—	—	—	Avoid	96	4	24.5
2015	—	—	—	—	Good	41	2	24
2016	Caution	239	2	29	Good	23	3	24
2017	Best	122	0	29	Caution	14	2	24
2018	Good	156	3	29	Good	24	2	24
2019	Avoid	235	7	29.5	Avoid	70	4	25.5
2020	Best	83	5	29.5	Best	10	3	25.5
2021	Best	63	4	29.5	Best	21	2	25.5
2022	Caution	88	3	29.5	Best	8	0	25.5
2023	Avoid	686	3	27.5	—	—	—	—
2024	Avoid	108	4	27.5	—	—	—	—
2025	Good	43	1	27.5	—	—	—	—

Complaint Index by year

Honda HR-V

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

Toyota Avalon

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

Frequently asked questions

Which HR-V years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2019, 2023, and 2024 as the HR-V years to approach with caution, with 2023 posting a complaint index of 100 and 686 complaints, the highest of any HR-V year.
Which Avalon years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2019 as Avalon years to approach with caution. The 2013 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 137 complaints and a median failure mileage of 17,521.5.
Does the HR-V or Avalon have more complaints?: The HR-V has 1,823 total complaints across 10 model years (182 per year) versus the Avalon's 624 across 13 model years (48 per year), but NHTSA does not publish sales data, so totals aren't normalized per vehicle sold.
Which has better fuel economy, the HR-V or Avalon?: The HR-V averages 28.8 MPG combined versus the Avalon's 24.2 MPG combined. Individual HR-V years range from 27.5 to 29.5 MPG, while Avalon years range from 22 to 25.5 MPG.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: For the HR-V, Visibility & Wipers lead at 23% of complaints, followed by Electrical System at 18%. For the Avalon, Engine issues lead at 17%, followed by Electrical System at 16%.