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2016 Toyota AvalonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 23 owner complaints about the 2016 Toyota Avalon, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-024 the manufacturer reports only 58% of affected cars repaired.

2016 Toyota Avalon
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 58%Owner complaints235 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage12kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 3, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: aneekr, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2016 Toyota Avalon has problems

23 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine41
Air bags41
Structure31
Electrical system32
Service brakes21
Lane departure20
Power train20
Vehicle speed control21
Visibility20
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2016 Toyota Avalon recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

58%repaired · 2022 Q1

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Recall 20V-024 · Jan 17, 2020 · 2,891,976 vehicles · 1,672,902 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

75%repaired · 2018 Q2

Air bags: knee bolster

Recall 16V-906 · Dec 16, 2016 · 12 vehicles · 9 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

89%repaired · 2017 Q3

Sensor: occupant classification

Recall 16V-215 · Apr 14, 2016 · 58,515 vehicles · 52,364 repaired

Risk. Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

2016 vs. every other Avalon year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Avalon median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2016 Toyota Avalon safety ratings

2016 Toyota Avalon 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2016 Toyota Avalon frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2016 Toyota Avalon side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2016 Toyota Avalon side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (10.7% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2016 Toyota Avalon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Electrical overstressEA19001 · closed Sep 19, 2024
    Led to recall 20V-024
In owners' words

What Avalon owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ENGINE HESITATES FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP OR A SLOW SPEED IN CITY TRAFFIC. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER LEARNING PROCESS AND IT SHOULD GO AWAY. PROBLEMS HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE NEW IN 2016.
Complaint 11276855 · Oct 29, 2019 · 4,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA AVALON. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CARPET. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND…
Complaint 11097832 · May 24, 2018 · 22,000 miles
MY WIFE'S AVALON HESITATES FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY DURING ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE YELLOW TRIANGLE LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH BOARD DURING THE HESITATION. I SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN AFTER TURNING LEFT AND ACCELERATING. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HER SAFETY WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC AND OR…
Complaint 11090804 · Apr 28, 2018 · 20,000 miles

Own a 2016 Avalon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.