Here Are The Toyota Avalon Years To Avoid
We've rounded up seven Toyota Avalon years to avoid, based on common problems. See which ones (and which Avalon years are considered safe to buy used).
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size sedan that first began production in 1994 and is a typical pick of those on the market for a used car. While Toyota vehicles are generally reliable, every model and year has its pros and cons, and some years are made better than others. We’ll go over the worst Toyota Avalon years to avoid to ensure you get the best possible vehicle.
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The Short Answer: The Toyota Avalon 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014 Models Should be Avoided.
These models have a higher incidence of reported issues, including significant problems like engine failure and minor problems such as cracked dashboards. Some years are also subject to an unusually high number of recalls, which signal severe defects that can lead to accidents and major safety concerns if not resolved. Keep reading for which model years are the safest to buy, what type of issues you can expect, and which model year should be avoided.
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Which Year Models of Toyota Avalon are Safe to Buy Used?
The Toyota Avalon has been around for nearly three decades and has gone through 5 generations. It is still being manufactured today, with the 2022 model already available at some dealerships. While some model years are better than others, most Avalon models are known for being relatively reliable and an excellent option for a used vehicle.
We recommend the following Toyota Avalon year models as safe to buy:
- 1994 Toyota Avalon
- 1995 Toyota Avalon
- 1996 Toyota Avalon
- 1997 Toyota Avalon
- 1998 Toyota Avalon
- 1999 Toyota Avalon
- 2000 Toyota Avalon
- 2001 Toyota Avalon
- 2002 Toyota Avalon
- 2003 Toyota Avalon
- 2004 Toyota Avalon
- 2009 Toyota Avalon
- 2010 Toyota Avalon
- 2012 Toyota Avalon
- 2015 Toyota Avalon
- 2016 Toyota Avalon
- 2017 Toyota Avalon
- 2018 Toyota Avalon
- 2019 Toyota Avalon
- 2020 Toyota Avalon
- 2021 Toyota Avalon
These Avalon models have been proven reliable, with very few customer complaints. If you want to buy a used Avalon, you can trust these model years the most.
While you might expect the older vehicles to have more issues, the Avalon model years from the 90s and early 00s are surprisingly reliable, except for the 2005-2008 years.
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Which Toyota Avalon Years to Avoid?
Some Avalon model years have caused their owners various expensive, annoying, and even dangerous issues. Thankfully, from looking at reports from Avalon owners, we can see a complete picture of which Toyota Avalon years to avoid.
From this information, we recommend avoiding the following Toyota Avalon year models:
- 2005 Toyota Avalon
- 2006 Toyota Avalon
- 2007 Toyota Avalon
- 2008 Toyota Avalon
- 2011 Toyota Avalon
- 2013 Toyota Avalon
- 2014 Toyota Avalon
If you purchase one of these Avalon models, you should expect a higher chance of encountering problems such as fuel leaks, peeling paint, and cracked dashboards. These reliability concerns make these model years a poor investment.
It is important to note that most of these model years fall within the 3rd generation of the Toyota Avalon, so you may want to avoid any Avalon from that generation to be safe.
Some of these problems can cost upwards of $1,000 to fix. For example, Avalon owners reported a dangerous problem with sudden acceleration in the 2014 model that costs an estimated $7,600 to repair! This is a serious issue that has even resulted in reports of accidents and injuries. According to anecdotal reports, this also appears to be an issue with other model years, including the 2013 model.
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Likewise, the second most commonly reported issue was paint peeling off the Avalon’s roof. This issue was most common in the 2011 model year and costs around $1,100 to fix. While this is not a dangerous issue, it is still an expensive and annoying cosmetic issue that affects your car’s overall enjoyment and value.
In addition, some Avalon models have been subject to a series of recalls. The 2012-2018 Avalon models had an issue with airbag deployment and seat belt pretensioners. The 2013-2015 Avalon models were recalled due to unexpected brake activation from a faulty Pre-Collision System. The 2014 Avalon also experienced a higher incidence of fuel leaks, leading to fire and triggering a recall.
So which model year is the absolute worst of all the Avalon models and should be avoided at all costs? The 2006 Toyota Avalon was the worst Avalon model and is plagued by serious issues, including engine problems, oil leaks, steering defects, and electrical issues.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA AVALON
We’ve considered what year of the Toyota Avalon is the most reliable and other vital information you should know. Let’s look at the most reliable choices for the Toyota Avalon.
It was also subject to 7 recalls involving everything from the accelerator pedal to the airbag inflator. This is a vast number of recalls, and, likely, any used 2006 Avalon you find on the market is still subject to the necessary repairs. You will certainly want to steer clear from purchasing a 2006 model year out of all the Toyota Avalon years to avoid.
Common Toyota Avalon Problems
According to RepairPal, the Toyota Avalon has a reliability rating of 4 out 5, ranking 3rd out of 12 full-size sedans. Although the Avalon has a long history of being reliable, it has its fair share of problems:
- Transmission issues - This problem has plagued many Avalon models, including 1995-1998, 2000-2007, 2009, and 2015. According to the complaints, the Avalon struggles to shift correctly or hesitates when shifting from second to third gear at low speeds.
- Sudden unintended acceleration - Many 2014 Avalon owners have complained that their car would suddenly accelerate for no apparent reason. Experts have suspected electronic issues to be the culprit and causing the throttle to engage without stepping on the gas pedal.
- Misfiring engine - Frustrated owners of 1995-2010 and 2012 Avalons have complained about misfiring engines. Their sedans would hesitate and jerk, primarily due to faulty ignition coils. Replacing the coils may cost between $5-$50 plus labor.
- Peeling paint - This unsightly issue mainly affects the 2011 Avalon, but it was also a common complaint with other models. Drivers reported that the paint on the roof and between the windshield and sunroof would bubble up and eventually peel.
Frequently Asked Questions: Toyota Avalon Years to Avoid
Q: What are the Toyota Avalon years to avoid?
A: According to customer reports and complaints, the Toyota Avalon years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2014. These model years have a higher incidence of reported issues, ranging from minor problems like cracked dashboards to significant concerns such as engine failure and sudden unintended acceleration.
Q: Which Toyota Avalon model year is considered the worst?
A: The 2006 Toyota Avalon is considered the worst model year and should be avoided at all costs. It has been plagued by serious issues, including engine problems, oil leaks, steering defects, and electrical issues. The 2006 Avalon was also subject to seven recalls involving various components, from the accelerator pedal to the airbag inflator.
Q: What are the most reliable Toyota Avalon model years to buy used?
A: Many Toyota Avalon model years are considered safe to buy used, including 1994-2004, 2009-2010, 2012, and 2015-2021. These model years have proven reliable, with relatively few customer complaints. Surprisingly, Avalon models from the 90s and early 2000s (except for 2005-2008) are known for their reliability.
Q: What are some common problems reported by Toyota Avalon owners?
A: Some common issues reported by Toyota Avalon owners include transmission problems (difficulty shifting or hesitation between gears), sudden unintended acceleration (particularly in the 2014 model), misfiring engines due to faulty ignition coils, and peeling paint on the roof and between the windshield and sunroof (especially in the 2011 model).
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