Is the 2016 Toyota AVALON reliable?

The 2016 Toyota AVALON has 33 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Toyota AVALON?

Top problems: OTHER (5 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Toyota AVALON?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Toyota AVALON?

The 2016 Toyota AVALON gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Toyota AVALON?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Toyota AVALON is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Toyota AVALON

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Toyota AVALON has 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 35. The most common issue is other problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: when driving and the sun is entering the main cabin, the tan interior portion of the dashboard is reflected on to the front side windows. this reflection of the tan portion of the dashboard interferes with a clear view of both outside mirrors. the view of traffic to either side of my vehicle is di. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 3 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

5 complaints

15%

• WHEN DRIVING AND THE SUN IS ENTERING THE MAIN CABIN, THE TAN INTERIOR PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD IS REFLECTED ON TO THE FRONT SIDE WINDOWS. THIS REFLECTION OF THE TAN PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD INTERFERES WITH A CLEAR VIEW OF BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS. THE VIEW OF TRAFFIC TO EITHER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE IS DI
• THE FRONT TO BACK SIDE RUBBER WEATHERSTRIPPING THAT MOVES WITH THE SUNROOF AS IT OPENS AND CLOSES CONTINUES TO FALL OFF. THERE ARE TWO PIECES LIKE THIS, ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE OTHER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE TWO PIECES, EACH ABOUT 18 INCHES LONG AND TWO INCHES WIDE, LOOK LIKE BLACK RUBBER
• MY CAR HAS AN SOS SYSTEM THAT NOTIFIES TOYOTA OR THEIR CONTRACTOR IF THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, SUMMONS LAW ENFORCEMENT, TOW TRUCK, ETC. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT OTHER SAFETY ISSUES ARE WRAPPED INTO IT. IT HAS A RED WARNING LIGHT THAT GOES ON WHEN IT STOPS WORKING. IT HAS BEEN INTO MY LOCAL DEALER T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN DRIVING AND THE SUN IS ENTERING THE MAIN CABIN, THE TAN INTERIOR PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD IS REFLECTED ON TO THE FRONT SIDE WINDOWS. THIS REFLECTION OF THE TAN PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD INTERFERES WITH A CLEAR VIEW OF BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS. THE VIEW OF TRAFFIC TO EITHER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE IS DI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Toyota AVALON

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 29K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER16/12/2016

Toyota 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.

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 injury.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fasteners, and if necessary, replace the instrument panel brace and body bracket and reattach the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G05.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Toyota AVALON

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Toyota AVALON

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota AVALON Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2016 AVALON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 33 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: WHEN DRIVING AND THE SUN IS ENTERING THE MAIN CABIN, THE TAN INTERIOR PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD IS REFLECTED ON TO THE FRONT SIDE WINDOWS. THIS REFLECTION OF THE TAN PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD INTERFERES WITH A CLEAR VIEW OF BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS. THE VIEW OF TRAFFIC TO EITHER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE IS DI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE WITH 3 MILES ON JANUARY 27, 2016. VERY NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ON JANUARY 30 THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE ON ERRANDS AND WOULD NOT START AFTER ATTEMPTING FOR 15 MINUTES. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISES THAT THERE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL. I PURCHASED MY NEW CAR ON MAY 4TH, 2016. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED APRIL 13TH, 2016, BEFORE I MADE THE PURCHASE. THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME THIS WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME OF THIS. THE SALES MANAGER SAID I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE LETTER OF THE RECALL BUT I HADN'T EVEN BOUGHT THE CAR THEN. I READ I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE WITH 3 MILES ON JANUARY 27, 2016. VERY NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. ON JANUARY 30 THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE ON ERRANDS AND WOULD NOT START AFTER ATTEMPTING FOR 15 MINUTES. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISES THAT THERE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)