2016 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
18/100
#15 most-complained of 18 Avalon years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2016 Toyota Avalon has 23 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 18 out of 100 — #15 highest of 18 Avalon model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (6 complaints, 26% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.
- Complaints
- 23
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
Top 2016 Toyota Avalon problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine6 (26%)
- Other5 (22%)
- Airbags4 (17%)
- Electrical System3 (13%)
- Structure & Body3 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (13%)
- Brakes2 (9%)
- Lane Departure2 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
2016 Toyota Avalon recalls
3 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 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota Avalon a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Toyota Avalon ranks #15 of 18 among Avalon model years (Complaint Index 18/100, verdict: Best). It has 23 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Avalon?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (6 complaints), airbags (4 complaints), and electrical system (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 31,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Avalon, most recently reported 2020, covering airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota Avalon?
- EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Avalon at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.