Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Toyota Avalon: common problems and reliability
One of the better Avalon years.
30 owner complaints, most about structure. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Avalon?The 2012 Toyota Avalon has 30 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and air bags.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Avalon years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Avalon?
Across the 27 Avalon model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2022) to 360 (2006). With 30 complaints, the 2012 Avalon sits below the model's median of 120.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Avalon
air bags
Campaign 18V569000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles. During a vehicle repair, the seat belt inner buckles may have been replaced with parts that may incorrectly tell the air bag management system that the seat belt is always buckled.
electrical system
Campaign 15V047000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles manufactured February 9, 2010, to October 22, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the sub-woofer speaker located in the trunk may experience an intermittent electrical short which may cause damage to the integrated circuit (IC) in the audio amplifier. In some cases, the damaged IC may allow a constant electrical current flow to the sub-woofer.
electrical system
Campaign 13V442000Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.
air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Campaign 20V024000Toyota 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.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, comfort, and value, particularly for used examples.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Avalon. See the full Avalon owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Avalon listings typically run $12,895–$27,579 across 2003 to 2021 model years.
Other Avalon model years
Compare every Avalon year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Avalon against its rivals
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