Best and worst Toyota Avalon years — which to avoid

If you are looking into used Toyota Avalon models, you might get one of the most reliable full-size sedans, but there’s just one catch – buying the best-rated model year. It’s not as easy as it seems even though Avalon as a model had very few complaints in over 30 years of production.

So, our team took it upon ourselves to do the research for you and present you with the best and worst Toyota Avalon years. We’ve evaluated each model year based on the number of NHTSA complaints and driver submissions regarding its reliability, so let’s take a look at our list together.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Toyota Avalon years

While creating this guide, our team of automotive experts examined the portfolio of available information on Toyota Avalon’s reliability by model year. We relied mostly on data and logs found on trustworthy driving safety organizations like NHTSA and IIHS where we could compare the details of reliability issues and safety ratings.

Along with that, we also compared the records with customer reviews on platforms like Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book. To add a bit of first-hand driver experiences, we also checked out the most popular threads on Toyota Avalon forums, so here’s how we used that information to rank Avalon years:

Most common Toyota Avalon problems

Looking at it as a whole, the Avalon proved to be one of the most reliable full-size flagship sedans of any brand out there throughout its production. Even so, no model can go 30 or more years without a single issue.

So, we’ve gone through the most frequent problems which mostly included third-gen Avalon issues. These problems mainly include bad shifting, sudden acceleration, defective EVAP vapor canister, or even engine oil leaks, and we’ll tell you about it and the affected model years below.

1. Shifting problems

Many owners of 1995-1998, 2000-2007, 2009, and 2015 automatic transmission Avalons have given reports about their cars being unable to shift correctly. They complain that when driving at low speeds, their transmission usually hesitates when shifting from second to third gear.

Furthermore, there have also been cases where the transmission would jolt or stay neutral before shifting into gear due to a defective throttle position sensor or shift solenoid. A throttle position sensor replacement can cost around $150-400, while a new shift solenoid could cost anywhere between $100 to $500, including labor costs.

2. Sudden acceleration

Sudden inadvertent acceleration usually occurs when a vehicle has an electronic malfunction, allowing the throttle to expand without the driver hitting the gas pedal. Sometimes, this can happen when the driver steps on the brakes, shifts gears, or switches to cruise control.

For Toyota, sudden acceleration has been a prevalent problem experienced by many 2014 Avalon owners.

3. Defective EVAP vapor canister

Some 1995-2004, 2006, 2011, and 2015 Toyota Avalons have experienced issues with their vapor canister releasing charcoal pellets, which may block the vent valve. This issue fired up the check engine light in the affected modes and emitted a fuel vapor smell from underneath the engine.

Since evaporative emission system leaks can be created this way, it’s not a problem that should be taken lightly and it may make you fail your emissions test.

4. Engine misfires and oil leaks

Several 1995, 2010, and 2012 Avalon owners have complained about engine misfires. They note that their vehicles would jolt and hesitate due to a faulty ignition coil. Thankfully, replacing this part is affordable, with a cost range of $5 to $50, including labor costs.

However, it is essential to note that there may be several other causes of an engine misfire, like a defective control module, fuel injector, or crankshaft position sensor. Additionally, mechanical issues and oil leaks reported for this model were often the cause of those misfires and poor engine performance overall.

5. Clogged idle air control valve

A clogged idle air control valve has been a common issue reported by some owners of 1995-2004 and 2006 Avalons. Owners of the affected models report that their vehicles took longer to idle down. Also, there have been cases where the engine refuses to accelerate under 2000 RPM due to debris buildup in the idle air control valve.

6. Faulty oxygen sensor

Some 1996-2008 and 2012 Avalon drivers have reported symptoms of bad oxygen sensors like harsh engine operation and poor gas mileage, which may have caused them to fail their emissions test. The cost of replacing the oxygen sensor is typically between $30 and $150, including labor costs.

Worst Toyota Avalon years to avoid

While the Avalon has proved to be a reliable model overall, we now have the details on problematic model years and their issues to help further avoid those problems. So, the crucial inquiry that arises here is – what are the worst Toyota Avalon years?

The worst Toyota Avalon years are 2006 and 2007 models, but here’s a complete breakdown of badly-rated years:

• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2013

Some are just affected by plain minor issues like the 2013 model, but some issues with other model years might significantly affect your driving safety, so let’s take a closer look:

Third-generation Avalon (2005-2008 and 2013 model years)

The 2005 Toyota Avalon is the oldest model in this generation, and it’s not a good choice if you want a vehicle with high reliability. Owners report oil leaks in the engine, causing early wear to parts. Some add that these oil leaks begin within the first few months of purchase.

The 2006 model year had many grievances that shook the maker’s reputation. It suffered an abrupt loss of force along with engine oil loss. At about 60,000 miles of driving this Avalon model, many owners complained that the engine would suddenly stop working. Additionally, this model year had accompanying issues like a broken dashboard, controlling rack leakages, complete loss of engine oil without a warning light, etc.

The 2007 Avalon shares similar problems to the 2006 year model, and Toyota did nothing to fix these problems. It had its first recall, which had to do with defective ignition coils. Afterward, owners of this model began complaining of several other issues like cracked dashboards and oil leaks that often lead to engine failure.

With the release of the 2008 Avalon, Toyota had much to prove. Since the previous models of this generation didn’t end up satisfying their customers, they needed to introduce a model that would help regain the mass’s trust. Unfortunately, the 2008 Avalon wasn’t this model.

This model had issues with its headlight, which would often go out, making it dangerous and difficult to drive at night. It also suffered dashboard cracks issue that is common on previous models, as well as peeling paint problems. Owners also report rack and pinion leaks, which would make steering the vehicle nearly impossible.

Finally, the 2013 model had a lot of issues with sudden acceleration and rise in RPM without the drivers punishing down the throttle, as well as some problems with interior accessories.

What are the best Toyota Avalon years to buy?

The Toyota Avalon has been on the market for around three decades, with five generations in circulation. Up till today, it is still being manufactured and for that time of production, it’s more than a reliable model with a surprisingly low number of complaints.

Now that we’ve sorted that out too by giving you a precise list of model years to avoid, a new question arises as drivers wonder what are the best Toyota Avalon years. The best Toyota Avalon years are as follows:

• 1994
• 1995
• 1997
• 1999
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2010
• 2012
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

The Avalon models listed above have been proven reliable, with a few complaints from drivers. However, the absolute best models include the 2009 and 2017 models, and we’ll further explain those:

2009 Toyota Avalon

The 2009 Avalon model earned its reputation of being the best-rated Avalon of the third generation through a low number of NHTSA complaints and exceptional build quality.

It didn’t have any major engine or transmission issues like the previous models, and it also didn’t show any signs of that bothersome self-acceleration issue which made the car unreliable for a lot of drivers in the previous model years

2017 Toyota Avalon

As for the more recent models, the 2017 Toyota Avalon earned its great reliability rating thanks to an extremely low number of complaints for such a large sample of sold vehicles. It’s a perfect model for comparison as well since drivers already had more than 7 years to submit their complaints, yet there are just shy of 100 complaints submitted to NHTSA.

Along with that, the fact that there were no major recalls other than the airbag one for this model speaks for itself. Last but not least, we have to mention an excellent safety rating that the model received with a “top safety pick plus” badge according to IIHS.

Is the Toyota Avalon worth buying?

The Toyota Avalon is a durable and reliable car and can give you a great unforgettable experience. However, this can only be possible if you keep away from the worst model years we mentioned earlier.

Check out our Nissan Maxima years to avoid, Chevy Impala years to avoid, and Ford Taurus years to avoid to spot the years that delivered and those that didn’t live up to expectations. Our exploration details the ups and downs, providing you with a clear view of the best and worst times for each of these iconic models.