Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2016 Toyota Avalon: common problems and reliability
An average Avalon year.
47 owner complaints, most about air bags. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Avalon?The 2016 Toyota Avalon has 47 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Toyota Avalon vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Avalon years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Avalon?
Across the 27 Avalon model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2022) to 360 (2006). With 47 complaints, the 2016 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 2016 Avalon
air bags:knee bolster
Campaign 16V906000Toyota 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.
air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Campaign 16V215000Toyota 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."
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.
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 17V462000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The front drive shaft may separate.
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 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Avalon against its rivals
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