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Toyota AvalonModel year report

2016 Toyota Avalon Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
31,000miles, 17 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Toyota Avalon (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2016 Toyota Avalon. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and engine (4). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 65% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 266 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the occupant classification and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Forward collision avoidance (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “There are two pieces of accordian shaped trim that continually fall from inside the sunroof. I have had the dealership reinstall them - and they charged me. However, they continued to fall from the sunroof and they are now stored in the trunk. Poor design. Plus, not too safe having this rubber part fall onto your head while driving down the road. The adhesive on the part may not keep the part in its proper place, but the adhesive does do a good job sticking to my hair.”

NHTSA complaint #11326966, filed 2020-06, 110,932 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall airbag. I have been dealing with my airbag light and yellow triangle light coming on while driving for 3 days. The first incident occured while I was driving on the highway during the afternoon after dealership hours. 2nd time was driving on the highway and I immediately took my vehicle to the dealership to which they told me my battery was dirty and failing was the reason for the airbag light to come on. 3rd time I was told that my cell phone charger which was never plugged up on any of the times the light came on was the reason. Still dealing with the unresolved issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11171952, filed 2019-01, 31,000 miles

Engine: “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 crossing a road with an unexpected hesitation. Our local Toyota dealer says they are not aware of this kind of problem and are not able to diagnose it. We would like to know if this is occurring else where and what we should do about it. Please advise.”

NHTSA complaint #11090804, filed 2018-04, 20,000 miles

Electrical system: “Travel on the street and may hit an object (could be an empty trash container. Vehicle left the travel lane, going up on the sidewalk, stuck 2 garbage cans and through the numerous bushes.”

NHTSA complaint #11362196, filed 2020-10, 55,284 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

65% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 60,000 miles.

18%0–1024%10–2524%25–5012%50–7512%75–10012%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (17 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 31,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

201620172018201952020202320242025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota Avalon. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Avalon · sedan FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 10.7% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Toyota Avalon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Avalon FWD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic213024$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Toyota Avalon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 266 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 266 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Avalon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20228—0526—Not enough data
2021211,6502525—Rising
2020104,0003526—Not enough data
2019715,116452650 · TypicalFalling
20182410,5002524—Falling
20171417,5152524—Not enough data
20162331,0003524—Rising
20154242,50025240 · FewerFalling
20149613,625452558 · TypicalFalling
201313717,522452567 · MoreFalling
20123033,0004—224 · FewerFalling
201110634,9501—2331 · FewerFalling
20104613,0007—2346 · TypicalFalling
20099147,0107—2364 · TypicalFalling
200834952,0006—2296 · MoreFalling
200724340,6506—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200636045,0007—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200522847,8507—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200420567,8863—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200329382,5002—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200211691,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200113460,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200017383,8372—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19999253,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199817872,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199712599,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1996109116,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19958099,5000—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Avalon model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Toyota Avalon have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2016 Toyota Avalon as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Toyota Avalon is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 5 complaints (22% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.

Has the 2016 Toyota Avalon been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Toyota Avalon do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Toyota Avalon 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Avalon get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Avalon (Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Toyota Avalon reported?

Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,000 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 60,000 miles; 65% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.