2016
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Toyota Avalon Change Vehicle

Unlock Ratings
Toyota's Avalon flagship is a sensible, roomy sedan that straddles the divide between high-end midsized sedans and true luxury cars. It's a large, comfortable cruiser and -- as our $42,000 Avalon Limited proved -- can be quite upscale. The Avalon scores among the better large sedans in the category. Toyota tried to inject some excitement into the current generation Avalon with more dynamic styling and more engaging handling.
Alerts
There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2016
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Toyota Avalon

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
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Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and side air bags standard. ESC available from 2000, standard from 2009. Head protection air bags standard from 2005. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking available from 2013, standard from 2017.
Road Test

Toyota's Avalon flagship is a sensible, roomy sedan that straddles the divide between high-end midsized sedans and true luxury cars. It's a large, comfortable cruiser and -- as our $42,000 Avalon Limited proved -- can be quite upscale. The Avalon scores among the better large sedans in the category.

Toyota tried to inject some excitement into the current generation Avalon with more dynamic styling and more engaging handling. But those changes also came with a much stiffer ride, one that was totally unbecoming to this class of sedan. For 2016 Toyota rectified that shortcoming, restoring the Avalon's comfortable ride. In addition, Toyota also added some advanced safety features to keep pace.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
sedan
Transmissions Available
  • 6-speed Automatic
  • CVT
Engines Available
  • 2.5-liter 4 hybrid (200 hp)
  • 3.5-liter V6 (268 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2016 Toyota Avalon owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen difficult to see

"it sits at an angle that allows the sun to hit directly. this makes it impossible to see what's on the screen at times. usually, when it matters most"

Mark B., GA (2016 Toyota Avalon XLE 3.5-L V6)
Display screen goes blank

"Vehicle has had occasions when the audio and visual display simply turned itself off in the middle of a trip, then re-booting itself. The problem was resolved with an upgrade installed by the dealer"

Kathryn R., OH (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"Incorrect instructions after driver decision to alter instructions"

Edward L., CA (2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Premium 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

"Defective navigation system had to be replaced; poor response time and service"

Anonymous, FL (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)

"Poorly designed. Not easy to use"

Charles O., KS (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Texting read feature not working"

Anonymous, NY (2016 Toyota Avalon Touring 3.5-L V6)
Radio

"After 3 months, the radio stopped working. The "radio" contained the electronics of the entire entertainment system, which included the GPS, Phone bluetooth connection, and APS"

Lenny M., CA (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)

"does not turn on immediately when prompted...replaced radio and problem still persists"

Mark K., GA (2016 Toyota Avalon XLE 3.5-L V6)

"Occasionally I can't change channels"

Anonymous, CA (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"All created by the dealership that did the repairs on the heating system. 6 days to fix and its still not right but you have to chose your battles in life and Toyota no longer cares about customer service. We are in the Market for a new Van but it will not be a Toyota"

Joseph C., MN (2016 Toyota Avalon XLE 3.5-L V6)

"There was a rattle around the passenger side door handle that the dealer worked on twice before giving up on the original panel and replaced it with a new panel. That seems to have solved the problem as the new panel is fine. We appreciate the dealer's helpfulness"

Steven H., OR (2016 Toyota Avalon Touring 3.5-L V6)
Wind noise

"actually, it is road noise. I can't remember a car I ever owned being so noisy"

David S., OR (2016 Toyota Avalon XLE 3.5-L V6)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Sunroof

"Wind noise at highway speeds. Rubber seal was out of position on the passenger side"

James H., FL (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"With 4000 miles on the car, I was unable to put it in reverse. Toyota replaced the transmission without auestion. The vehicle now hesitates when I need sudden power, but Toyota refuses to stand behind the transmission despite my emohasising it is a safety issue when I need to enter this crazy Florida traffic. Now I also have the worst gas mileage of the five Avalons I have owned. I believe the gas mileage may be related to the transmission issue"

Kenneth P., FL (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Alignment

"slight - out of alignment - found when car serviced"

R F., NC (2016 Toyota Avalon Limited 3.5-L V6)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Heater system

"Live in Minnesota, during the winter when I would put on the defrost for the windshield, the heater would howl, so load you would have to shut it off. when trying to get it repaired the dealership fixed the howl but made the dash make so much noise it sounded like it was going to fall off, It took 5 days to fix the original problem the howl and 6 day to fix the dash, which still makes noise but I am not fighting that battle anymore. Its the last Toyota we buy, the company no longer cares abou"

Joseph C., MN (2016 Toyota Avalon XLE 3.5-L V6)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Warning lights

"brake failure warning lights kept coming on and off spontaneously"

Anonymous, AR (2016 Toyota Avalon XLE 3.5-L V6)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

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