What year Toyota Avalon Hybrid should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2013, 2014, and 2015 as the years to avoid, with 2013 ranking worst at a complaint index of 100 and 23 total complaints.

Is there a best year for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid?

No year reaches a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The 2021 model year, with a complaint index of 63, is the lowest-risk option among non-Avoid years.

Does the Toyota Avalon Hybrid have airbag recalls?

Yes. Recall campaign 20V024000 covers 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles for an airbag electronic control unit issue that Toyota addresses by installing a noise filter.

What is the most common problem area for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid?

Across all years, engine problems lead with 11 complaints (17% share), followed closely by airbags at 10 complaints (16%) and electrical system issues at 9 complaints (14%).

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid reliable?

The 2021 model year carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 63, the lowest among years with a verdict, though it still has one recall campaign and airbag-related complaints.

Toyota Avalon Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2013–2021)

Toyota Avalon Hybrid model years 2013, 2014, and 2015 rank worst based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, led by 2013 with 23 complaints and a complaint index of 100. No year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2021 is the lowest-risk year with a Caution verdict.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2013 Avoid 2014 Avoid 2015Lowest-risk years:Caution 2021

Model years: 9; 2013–2021
NHTSA complaints: 63
Recall campaigns: 10
Crashes reported: 7
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Engine

Avalon Hybrid Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

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

Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2013	Avoid	100	23	4	0	3	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	40	5★
2014	Avoid	88	18	1	1	2	Engine	40	5★
2015	Avoid	75	12	1	0	2	Brakes	40	5★
2016	No verdict	50	2	0	0	2	Steering	40	5★
2017	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	40	5★
2018	No verdict	25	1	0	0	1	Electrical System	40	5★
2019	No verdict	38	1	0	0	3	Fuel System	43.5	5★
2020	No verdict	13	0	0	0	3	—	43.5	5★
2021	Caution	63	6	1	0	1	Airbags	43.5	5★

Avalon Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Index 100 · 23 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2013 Avalon Hybrid has the highest complaint count in the lineup, 23, and the top complaint index of 100. Owners most often cited collision avoidance and camera issues and structure and body problems, each 22% of complaints, followed by engine trouble at 17%. Median mileage at failure for the top area was 18,537 miles. This year carries three recall campaigns, including an airbag control unit recall and a pre-collision system recall. Four crashes and three injuries were reported among the complaints.

2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Index 88 · 18 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2014 Avalon Hybrid logged 18 complaints and a complaint index of 88, the second-worst in the model lineup. Engine issues led at 22% of complaints with a median mileage of 19,000, followed by electrical system, structure and body, and suspension problems each at 17%. Owners reported an electrical fire incident and one crash. Two recall campaigns apply to this year, covering airbag control units and pre-collision system components.

2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Index 75 · 12 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2015 Avalon Hybrid saw 12 complaints and a complaint index of 75. Brakes dominated the complaints at 50%, with a median failure mileage of 19,000, tied to pre-collision system braking behavior. Electrical system and engine issues each made up 25% of complaints. Owners described unexpected automatic braking and delayed safety feature installation tied to the pre-collision system recall. This year carries two recall campaigns, the same airbag and pre-collision system fixes as 2013 and 2014.

Most common Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine11 (17%)
Airbags10 (16%)
Other10 (16%)
Electrical System9 (14%)
Brakes8 (13%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (13%)
Structure & Body8 (13%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (6%)
Fuel System3 (5%)
Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Toyota Avalon Hybrid should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2013, 2014, and 2015 as the years to avoid, with 2013 ranking worst at a complaint index of 100 and 23 total complaints.
Is there a best year for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid?: No year reaches a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The 2021 model year, with a complaint index of 63, is the lowest-risk option among non-Avoid years.
Does the Toyota Avalon Hybrid have airbag recalls?: Yes. Recall campaign 20V024000 covers 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles for an airbag electronic control unit issue that Toyota addresses by installing a noise filter.
What is the most common problem area for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid?: Across all years, engine problems lead with 11 complaints (17% share), followed closely by airbags at 10 complaints (16%) and electrical system issues at 9 complaints (14%).
Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid reliable?: The 2021 model year carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 63, the lowest among years with a verdict, though it still has one recall campaign and airbag-related complaints.