The most-reported Avalon run is 4T1BK36B16U (2006 builds) with 34 complaints, 5.5× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 22% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 17.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns for Avalon model years 1997–2021.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Toyota Avalon has 475 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every Avalon complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4T1BK36B16U•••••• | 2006 | 4 | — | |
| 4T1BK36B28U•••••• | 2008 | 2 | — | |
| 4T1BK36BX8U•••••• | 2008 | 3 | 1 | |
| 4T1BK36B38U•••••• | 2008 | 1 | 2 | |
| 4T1BK36B66U•••••• | 2006 | 5 | — | |
| 4T1BF28B33U•••••• | 2003 | 6 | — | |
| 4T1BF28B53U•••••• | 2003 | 5 | 1 | |
| 4T1BK36B48U•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 4T1BK36B58U•••••• | 2008 | 2 | — | |
| 4T1BF28B73U•••••• | 2003 | 5 | — | |
| 4T1BK36B26U•••••• | 2006 | 4 | 1 | |
| 4T1BK36B46U•••••• | 2006 | 5 | 1 |
Each of the other 463 Avalon runs has 27 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 189 Avalon VINs so far, most often 2019, 2014, 2013 builds; 9 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Toyota Avalon the gap between build years is 16.1×: a 2003 car draws 17.7 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 20 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 10 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 70 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 24 | 11 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 14 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 21 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 49 | 19 | 7 | |
| 2014 | 81 | 22 | 5 | |
| 2013 | 143 | 24 | 17 | |
| 2012 | 27 | 12 | 7 | |
| 2011 | 94 | 14 | 13 | |
| 2010 | 43 | 15 | 5 | |
| 2009 | 82 | 16 | 8 | |
| 2008 | 299 | 21 | 22 | |
| 2007 | 209 | 19 | 39 | |
| 2006 | 300 | 20 | 49 | |
| 2005 | 192 | 21 | 30 | |
| 2004 | 190 | 17 | 24 | |
| 2003 | 265 | 15 | 40 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 17.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2020 at 1.1. The 2022 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 22% of everything Toyota Avalon owners report: Air Bags, 542 of 2,945 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 153 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 213 | 3 | |
| Steering | 23 | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 13 | 11 | |
| Service Brakes | 58 | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | 2 | |
| Power Train | 19 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 35 recall campaigns on the Toyota Avalon; the 6 below cover build years 2005 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 20V024000 | Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module | 2012–2018 |
| 09V388000 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 2005–2010 |
| 16V396000 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 2005–2010 |
| 10V036000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2005–2010 |
| 10V017000 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 2005–2010 |
| 14V743000 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 2006–2010 |
20V024000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2012: 8 years on the road before the recall.
The Avalon against its rivals
The Avalon draws 6.2 complaints per production run; the Volkswagen Passat 3.2. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Avalon | 2,945 | 475 | 14.7% | |
| Volkswagen Passat | 6,507 | 2,023 | 3% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,945 reports on the Toyota Avalon, 14.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Toyota Avalon | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,945 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 432 (14.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 25 (0.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 303 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 24 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 153% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Toyota Avalon share of that is 2,945 complaints over 475 runs, 0.26% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Toyota Avalon VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,945 NHTSA complaints from 475 Avalon runs and 35 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Avalon production run has the most complaints?
4T1BK36B16U, a 2006 build, with 34 complaints, 4 of them after a crash. The typical Avalon run has 6.2.
Which Avalon years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 17.7 complaints per run and 2020 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Avalon get more complaints than the Volkswagen Passat?
Yes: 6.2 complaints per production run for the Avalon against 3.2 for the Volkswagen Passat.
How many Avalon complaints involve a crash?
14.7% of 2,945 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 25 involved a fire.
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