YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota Avalon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2016 Toyota Avalon ranks 16th out of 18 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 12 and a Best verdict. It has 23 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with engine issues as the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
12/100
#16 of 18 Avalon years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
23
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2016 Toyota Avalon problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine6 (26%)
  2. Other5 (22%)
  3. Airbags4 (17%)
  4. Electrical System3 (13%)
  5. Structure & Body3 (13%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers3 (13%)
  7. Brakes2 (9%)
  8. Lane Departure2 (9%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Some owners report engine compartment fires starting near the front driver's side carpet shortly after parking.
  • Drivers describe intermittent hesitation of 3 to 4 seconds during acceleration, sometimes paired with a dashboard warning light.
  • Owners report the vehicle would not start after several attempts, tied to a battery drain issue.
  • Some describe the sunroof suddenly shattering with a loud boom while the vehicle was stopped.
  • Owners note the transmission occasionally sticks in low gear and won't shift to a higher gear until the car stops.
  • Several mention Takata airbag recall issues, including warning lights and dealership visits for battery and airbag diagnostics.
2016 Toyota Avalon complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2016Feb 2017Apr 2018Mar 2019Jan 2020Oct 2020May 2023
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2016 to Oct 2025; peak Feb 2017 (2).

2016 Toyota Avalon recalls

3 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 16V906000Dec 16, 2016Airbags12 vehicles

    Air bags:knee bolster

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon, and 2017 Camry vehicles manufactured August 3, 2016, to September 12, 2016. The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.

    Risk: If the air bag was installed with incorrect fasteners, the fasteners may become loose over time, affecting the air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fasteners, and if necessary, replace the instrument panel brace and body bracket and reattach the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G05.

  3. NHTSA 16V215000Apr 14, 2016Airbags58,515 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall began by May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.

2016 Toyota Avalon fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution5996424.5
2015Good2941224
2016Best1223324
2017Good4714224
2018Best2424224

All Toyota Avalon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Avalon ranks 16th out of 18 model years, with a complaint index of 12 and a Best verdict among Avalon years.
What problems does the 2016 Toyota Avalon have?
NHTSA data shows 23 complaints for the 2016 Avalon, with Engine issues making up the largest share at 26 percent, followed by Airbags at 17 percent.
Does the 2016 Toyota Avalon have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Avalon, all related to Airbags, including a Takata airbag recall and a front passenger knee airbag module issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Toyota Avalon should I avoid?
According to NHTSA data, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013 Avalon years carry Avoid verdicts, with complaint indexes as high as 100 for the 2006 model. The 2016 Avalon is not one of the years to avoid.
How many miles do 2016 Avalon engine problems show up at?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 16,000 miles for Engine-related complaints on the 2016 Avalon.

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.