YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

50/100

#5 most-complained of 9 Avalon Hybrid years

The 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid has a complaint index of 50, ranking 5th worst among 9 model years of the Avalon Hybrid. It carries 2 complaints and 2 recalls, including a drive shaft separation recall unique to the 2016 Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid.

Complaints
2
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
40
40 city / 39 hwy

Top 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering1 (50%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (50%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain1 (50%)

What owners report

  • Transmission slips during normal acceleration.
  • Vehicle bucks and vibrates at very high engine RPM between 4500 and 5500.
  • Engine revs but does not pick up power properly, so the vehicle fails to accelerate as expected.
2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2016Jun 2017
3 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2016 to Jun 2017; peak Jun 2017 (2).

2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V024000Jan 17, 2020Airbags2,891,976 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

  2. NHTSA 17V462000Jul 20, 2017Transmission & Powertrain671 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The front drive shaft may separate.

    Risk: A front driveshaft separation would result in a loss of propulsion while driving, and if the driver exits the vehicle without applying the parking brake, the vehicle may roll. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the serial number of the vehicle's drive shaft, replacing any that are affected, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0M.

2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
40 MPG
Highway
39 MPG
Combined
40 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Avalon Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018201920202021
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid8818240
2015Avoid7512240
2016No verdict502240
2017No verdict00140
2018No verdict251140

All Toyota Avalon Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Avalon Hybrid has a complaint index of 50, ranking 5th worst out of 9 model years covered, placing it in the middle of the range.
What problems does the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 2 complaints for the 2016 Avalon Hybrid, split evenly between Steering, Suspension/Wheels & Tires, and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 50% of complaints in their category.
Does the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid have a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls: an airbag control unit recall covering 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles, and a drive shaft separation recall specific to 2016 Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles.
How does the 2016 Avalon Hybrid compare to other Avalon Hybrid years?
Its complaint index of 50 is lower than the 2013 (100), 2014 (88), and 2015 (75) model years, but higher than 2017-2020, indicating it fares better than the earliest years but worse than most recent ones.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
The EPA rates it at 40 mpg combined (40 city / 39 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.