YearToAvoid

2017 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#5 most-complained of 13 Avalon years

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

The 2017 Toyota Avalon has a complaint index of 67, ranking 5th worst among 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine issues account for 57% of complaints, with two recalls covering airbags and spare tires.

Complaints
14
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 10
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 30 hwy

Top 2017 Toyota Avalon problems

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

  1. Engine8 (57%)
  2. Airbags2 (14%)
  3. Electrical System2 (14%)
  4. Brakes1 (7%)
  5. Fuel System1 (7%)
  6. Other1 (7%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the engine failing to auto-stop when idling in an enclosed space, leading to carbon monoxide buildup, with cases reported at 17,515 miles.
  • Some describe unexplained sudden acceleration or a shift-like lurch at very low speed, resulting in a crash at 2,100 miles.
  • Owners report the transmission grinding and refusing to engage gears, sometimes with the check engine light coming on after a speed sensor issue.
  • Several note a power steering noise when turning that dealers dismissed as normal.
  • Owners describe the rear trunk's torsion springs being too weak, causing the trunk lid to fall unexpectedly.
  • Some report the brake assist system not functioning as expected, with dealers unable to explain the issue.
2017 Toyota Avalon complaints: complaints filed per month5May 2017Jan 2018Jun 2019Jan 2020Oct 2022
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2017 to Dec 2022; peak Jun 2019 (5).

2017 Toyota Avalon 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 17V295000May 2, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires409 vehicles

    Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire

    Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

    Risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

2017 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.

2017 compared with other Avalon years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good3341224
2016Good2523324
2017Caution6714224
2018Good4224224
2019Avoid7570425.5

All Toyota Avalon years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA data give the 2017 Avalon a complaint index of 67, ranking 5th worst out of 13 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Avalon years.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Toyota Avalon?
Engine complaints make up 57% of all reports for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 17,515 miles.
Does the 2017 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls for 2017: one for airbag electronic control units and one involving spare tire pressure on vehicles distributed by Gulf States Toyota.
How does the 2017 Avalon compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 67 is worse than 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, but better than 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2019, which are all rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Toyota Avalon?
EPA rates it at 24 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

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.