2016 Toyota Avalon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Avalon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags414.8%
- Driver assistance414.8%
- Engine414.8%
- Body & structure311.1%
- Electrical311.1%
- Visibility311.1%
- Powertrain (other)27.4%
- Brakes27.4%
- Tires & wheels13.7%
- Seat belts13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
RECALL OF 1/2020 STILL HAS NO REMEDY FROM MANUFACTURER AND NO ANTICIPATED DATE OF REMEDY AVAILABILITY (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 20V024).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The manufacturer is no longer producing OEM windshield that comply with the a DAS features which are now in operable because my windshield will not calibrate after replacement because there is not an OEM windshield available. I have contacted Toyota. I have also searched everywhere in the states for an OEM windshield Toyota has tried to calibrate the replacement which is aftermarket, as well as the Auto Glass installer to no avail. Toyota is no longer manufacturing the OEM windshield which is needed for the safety features to function properly. The car should be recalled for a manufacturer defect.
Clear
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. *LN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE MOON ROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH ALL WINDOWS SHUT.
ON OCTOBER 1, 2018, AT 8:25 A.M.I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK IN MY 2016 AVALON (12,141 MILES). I WAS 'RIDING THE BRAKE' TO PULL ALL THE WAY INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE CAR TOOK OFF INTO LANDSCAPE, CROSSED A ROAD AND WENT DOWN A HILL. I HIT THE PARKING LOT AND WAS KNOCKED TO MY SIDE. THE CAR WENT BACK UP THE HILL AND CROSSED THE ROAD AGAIN, WENT THROUGH MORE LANDSCAPE, BUSHES, ETC. BACK INTO THE ROAD AGAIN AND STOPPED.THERE WAS OVER 11,000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND I HURT MY BACK AND NECK. TOYOTA EXAMINED THE BLACK BOX AND SAID THE GAS PEDAL WAS BEING STRONGLY DEPRESSED WITH NO BRAKING. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE AFTER I HIT THE PARKING LOT AFTER COMING DOWN THE EMBANKMENT, MY FOOT FLEW OFF THE BRAKE AND WAS ON NOTHING AS I WAS ALL THE WAY ON MY RIGHT SIDE. 2ND INCIDENT YESTERDAY, ON 03/16/19, I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AND WAS ALMOST STOPPED AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKE TO GET PULLED UP TO WHERE I WAS TO STOP AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AS MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR TOOK OFF TOWARDS THE GAS PUMP. I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND WAS TRYING TO GRAB THE GEAR SHIFT TO PUT INTO PARK. I ONLY WENT ABOUT 20-30 FEET BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED MISSING THE GAS PUMP BY ONLY ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 FEET. I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE IF THE BRAKES STOPPED THE CAR OR IF I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME AND WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I AM GOING TO DO BECAUSE THE CAR IS FAR FROM PAID FOR AND I KNOW TOYOTA WILL BE OF NO HELP. I KNOW FOR SURE THAT EVENTUALLY SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED AS I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS NOT JUST HAPPENING TO ME. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF TOYOTA AND THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THEIR REPLY WAS TOYOTA WAS NOT AT FAULT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. *LN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof glass shattered. The contact stated that there was no glass inside the vehicle because the sunroof shade was in the closed position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,500.
REAR WINDOW IS DISTORTED. THE DISTORTION APPEARS ESPECIALLY ACUTE WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH AVALONS OVER MORE THAN ONE MODEL YEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENTLY THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR. WHEN PLACING THE GEARSHIFT IN THE D POSITION IT WILL INDICATE EITHER D1 AND WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. ONCE THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THE INDICATOR WILL BY ITSELF CHANGE TO D AND WILL SHIFT NORMALLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND AND SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the center console was extremely hot, and the driver's side seat electric panel cover had detached. The contact inspected the driver's side seat and noticed there was rust on the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake pads were cleaned; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure for the center console. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
ON OCTOBER 1, 2018, AT 8:25 A.M.I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK IN MY 2016 AVALON (12,141 MILES). I WAS 'RIDING THE BRAKE' TO PULL ALL THE WAY INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE CAR TOOK OFF INTO LANDSCAPE, CROSSED A ROAD AND WENT DOWN A HILL. I HIT THE PARKING LOT AND WAS KNOCKED TO MY SIDE. THE CAR WENT BACK UP THE HILL AND CROSSED THE ROAD AGAIN, WENT THROUGH MORE LANDSCAPE, BUSHES, ETC. BACK INTO THE ROAD AGAIN AND STOPPED.THERE WAS OVER 11,000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND I HURT MY BACK AND NECK. TOYOTA EXAMINED THE BLACK BOX AND SAID THE GAS PEDAL WAS BEING STRONGLY DEPRESSED WITH NO BRAKING. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE AFTER I HIT THE PARKING LOT AFTER COMING DOWN THE EMBANKMENT, MY FOOT FLEW OFF THE BRAKE AND WAS ON NOTHING AS I WAS ALL THE WAY ON MY RIGHT SIDE. 2ND INCIDENT YESTERDAY, ON 03/16/19, I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AND WAS ALMOST STOPPED AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKE TO GET PULLED UP TO WHERE I WAS TO STOP AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AS MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR TOOK OFF TOWARDS THE GAS PUMP. I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND WAS TRYING TO GRAB THE GEAR SHIFT TO PUT INTO PARK. I ONLY WENT ABOUT 20-30 FEET BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED MISSING THE GAS PUMP BY ONLY ABOUT 1 AND 1/2 FEET. I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE IF THE BRAKES STOPPED THE CAR OR IF I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME AND WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I AM GOING TO DO BECAUSE THE CAR IS FAR FROM PAID FOR AND I KNOW TOYOTA WILL BE OF NO HELP. I KNOW FOR SURE THAT EVENTUALLY SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED AS I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS NOT JUST HAPPENING TO ME. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, I SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF TOYOTA AND THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THEIR REPLY WAS TOYOTA WAS NOT AT FAULT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Avalon equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: CS5 Ultra Touring, Tire Size: 215/55/R17, DOT Number: U93R1CU1820. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a tire shop and was informed that the tread on the driver’s and passenger’s side tires were separating. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to the original tire shop where the tires were purchased and was offered a store credit for the replacement tires. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The tire was a replacement tire. The tire failure mileage was approximately 6,000, and the vehicle failure mileage was 84,575.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .