2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict 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.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #5 of 9 Avalon Hybrid years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 40
- 40 city / 39 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering1 (50%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (50%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (50%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission slips during normal acceleration.
- Vehicle bucks and vibrates at very high engine RPM between 4,500 and 5500.
- Engine revs but does not pick up power properly, so the vehicle fails to accelerate as expected.
2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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
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.