6 Best And Worst Years For The Toyota Avalon

The Toyota Avalon is the flagship model of Toyota’s car division. The sedan was first launched in 1994 and was instantly loved by many.

Since its launch, the vehicle has been refreshed many times. It is currently in its fifth and final generation as Toyota confirmed that 2022 would be the final year of the beloved Avalon.

For over the past 25 years, the Toyota Avalon has set some impressive standards.

However, many people don’t realize that there were many models in between that were not as good as some of their counterparts.

As major changes are made with each generation, new issues are expected.

Let’s list down the best and worst years for Toyota Avalon before diving into the details below:

Best Years for Toyota Avalon:

1. 2020
2. 2017
3. 2021
4. 2018
5. 2019
6. 2016

Worst Years for Toyota Avalon:

1. 2006
2. 2007
3. 2008
4. 2011
5. 2014
6. 2013

All of the years that have been mentioned above have either been criticized too much or have been praised by most people.

You should continue reading this article to determine why they have received these respective positions.

List Of The Best Years For The Toyota Avalon: What Years To Buy

Starting, I’ll be talking about the years of the Avalon that everybody recommends.

You will notice that the recent years of the Avalon have been mostly great, thanks to its improving reliability.

#1 Best Year: 2020 Toyota Avalon

There is good news for all of you. Coming in the first place is the 2020 model of the Toyota Avalon, which has been deemed the most reliable one yet.

The 2020 Avalon was part of the fifth generation of the sedan. It is an amazing vehicle that is great on the road.

The fuel efficiency of this model is also pretty decent, at 25-26 mpg. It’s not outstanding, but it is great. The cabin on this vehicle is pretty decent. It looks and feels premium.

The manufacturer has also included a 9-inch infotainment system that has been designed to be extremely user-friendly.

#2 Best Year: 2017 Toyota Avalon

The 2017 Toyota Avalon is another brilliant option for people looking to get a sedan that is packed with features but at a much lesser cost than a brand new one.

This model was loved by many. It features a 3.5L V6 engine under the hood, a beast on the road.

Combine this with the high-quality suspension system and the transmission. You are going to get an unparalleled experience on the road.

With the 2017 Avalon, the manufacturer made huge improvements in the interior. It looks and feels more premium. Leather has been used to improve the look too.

#3 Best Year: 2021 Toyota Avalon

Well, I cannot talk about the best models of the Toyota Avalon without discussing the 2021 variant.

This model is one of the last ones to be ever released. Even with production about to stop, Toyota has made sure that the vehicle will excel in all regards.

This model features an all-wheel drive, which can be used on all terrains. The vehicle is packed with the latest technology to make your daily rides more interesting.

The ride quality is great too. Combine that with the luxurious interior that Toyota has provided, and you are getting an experience you will remember for a lifetime.

#4 Best Year: 2018 Toyota Avalon

The 2018 Toyota Avalon is another brilliant option for people not looking to spend a ton on a new vehicle.

The 2018 Avalon has combined comfort, performance, and fuel economy to provide you with a pleasant driving experience.

The V6 engine under the hood is strong enough that you will not feel any lack of power. The fuel average on this specific model is one of the best in its class.

The Avalon can achieve up to 28.6 mpg, which is impressive. The vehicle easily beats the competition in all regards.

#5 Best Year: 2019 Toyota Avalon

If you want the latest and greatest 5th generation, the 2019 Toyota Avalon will suit you.

Although new generations tend to have many issues, Toyota ensured that this was not the case with the all-new Avalon.

This specific model has been praised due to the manufacturer’s use of extremely high-quality materials.

This model has earned a lower spot on this list because it does not have android auto integration, which many people rely on.

This model also uses a V6 engine that can produce 300 HP. That is more than enough for most people.

#6 Best Year: 2016 Toyota Avalon

Finally, coming last on this list is a model recommended to people on a budget and don’t want to compromise on major features.

The 2016 Toyota Avalon is a fantastic vehicle that everyone loved.

The 3.5L V6 engine, under the hood, is capable of some pretty astonishing feats. It provides quick acceleration and 268 HP, which is great.

Although the model is a bit old by now, it still has all important features, especially ones related to safety.

The interior is simple and elegant, another huge plus of owning this model. The rear seats are roomy enough for long travels. Overall, it is a great option.

List Of The Worst Years For The Toyota Avalon: What Years To Avoid

Now, I’ll be moving on to the Avalon models that should be avoided.

The sedan has been in the market for a long time. The earlier years were not so great. You will find out that they had some serious issues.

Let’s get straight into it!

#1 Worst Year: 2006 Toyota Avalon

Well, if you want to spend most of your time at the mechanic rather than enjoying your purchase, then the 2006 Toyota Avalon is for you.

This model had so many complaints that the manufacturer’s reputation was greatly affected. The Avalon had engine issues that cost a fortune to fix. The engine issues start with oil leaks.

Although the problem is not that big, the vehicle would not warn the driver in any way. This could result in the engine overheating and stopping in the middle of the road.

That is not all! The dashboard on this model was also prone to cracking. The leather seats were of poor quality and would deteriorate very quickly.

#2 Worst Year: 2007 Toyota Avalon

The 2007 Toyota Avalon had very similar issues. Surprisingly, the manufacturer did not fix such major problems.

Regardless, the 2007 model had the issue of dashboards cracking without any reason. The sunshade would also stop working. Things did not get any better in a year.

The 2007 model also had the issue of oil leaks. There were no reports of the engine not reporting the issue, so that is a small pro of this model.

Some of the problems included the ignition coils becoming defective and the engine rattling.

#3 Worst Year: 2008 Toyota Avalon

With a year passing, you would expect the problems to improve. Well, Toyota was not too keen to improve this vehicle. Even the 2008 model had serious issues.

Although it had engine problems, they were not as severe as the previous two years. The lights, on the other hand, caused frustration for many owners.

They would go out or burn very quickly. The 2008 model also introduced steering issues. The telescopic steering itself would come loose.

There was the problem of the rack and pinion leaking. These seals are very hard to replace, which drives the cost up by a lot.

#4 Worst Year: 2011 Toyota Avalon

You could consider the 2011 Toyota Avalon, but you must note that you will have to spend a lot of time at the mechanic to get it fixed.

This is the only model on this list that had paint issues. Owners of the vehicle reported that the paint on the roof would start peeling.

That is not all! The sunshade would also stop working randomly. The 2011 Avalon also faced the issue of the power door locks not working properly.

This caused a lot of frustration as users could not lock their vehicles safely. There were a few problems related to the steering wheel, but they were not too common.

#5 Worst Year: 2014 Toyota Avalon

Although the Avalon is praised for its luxurious interior and is often compared to Lexus, this was not the case with the 2014 Toyota Avalon.

Owners reported about the squeaking interior and the low-quality key provided with the vehicle. This was the first model of the lineup in which Toyota cut costs.

The 2014 Toyota Avalon also suffered from AC issues. When talking about the engine, the vehicle would accelerate unevenly, which can cause accidents when in dense traffic.

The air conditioning system would either stop working or emit a strong and unpleasant odor.

#6 Worst Year: 2013 Toyota Avalon

Finally, coming last on this list is the 2013 Toyota Avalon. This model comes in between the worst and is not bad.

The seats had issues in this model. The molding was broken, and the backs would fall off. Of course, there are many issues, but most of them need to be fixed once.

The audio system on this model was also buggy. The paint on the bumper was extremely poor, and it was noticeable.

There were also reports of the front end dipping too much, which led to the scraping on driveways.

But, all of these problems are fixable, so the 2013 Avalon can be considered, but only if you are willing to fix all of its problems.

What Are The Most Common Problems With The Toyota Avalon?

Below are some of the common problems I was able to find for Toyota Avalon. Make sure to read about them so you could decide accordingly.

1. Acceleration Issues

The first problem on this list is perhaps the most reported one. Owners of the Avalon reported that their vehicles would sometimes accelerate unevenly.

You can already imagine how serious this is.

Uneven acceleration means that a slight foot on the pedal could result in the vehicle jumping forward. There have been reports of severe accidents happening due to this problem.

The cruise control system on some of the models was also not working properly. It would suddenly activate the brakes, which is extremely dangerous when on the highway.

There were also reports of the accelerator getting stuck, but this was only reported only models that were manufactured before 2010.

Regardless, these issues are pretty serious and can cause serious injury or even death.

2. Airbag Issues

The airbag on the Avalon has also caused issues for many people. There have been many reports since the vehicle was released.

The exact issue was that the airbags would not deploy in an accident. You may already know that this can result in death or serious injury if there is no protection.

Owners of the Avalon had to suffer from broken bones and fractures due to the airbags not deploying. They also reported that the airbag lights would flash at random intervals.

This raised a lot of concern because there was a chance that the airbags would deploy without any reason. So, what could cause this issue? It could be a faulty sensor or a weak car battery.

The issue could also arise if the airbag had been deployed and the new one was not properly installed.

If you do see the lights blinking, it is advised to get to a certified mechanic as soon as possible.

3. Failure Of The Power Steering

Coming up next is an issue that is expensive to repair and is extremely common.

The power steering on the Avalon would stop working, which would result in the vehicle not being able to be driven.

Many factors can contribute to the Avalon’s power steering not working as intended. The most common one reported was the leakage of the rack and pinion.

The seals of this part are extremely hard to repair, making them all the way more expensive.

Another reason could be leakage of the power steering fluid. It plays an essential role in ensuring the proper working of the steering wheel.

The fluid could also be contaminated, which can cause issues.

Although the repairs for this issue are expensive, they need to be done to ensure that the vehicle is back in usable condition.

Related: Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What Is The Top Of The Line Avalon?

The Limited and the Limited Hybrid trims are the top of the line variants of the sedan.

Both are similar, except that one is hybrid while the other is not. They feature 18-inch wheels and heated seats that also have 8-way power adjustment.

They also have lumbar support, which is a feature that many people have come to love. The rest of the features are the same compared to the lower-end variants.

Q2. What Is Toyota Replacing The Avalon With?

2022 is the last year for the popular Avalon sedan for those who don’t know.

There have been no further updates from the manufacturer about the replacement. Speculation is that the Toyota Camry will be the one to continue the trend.

The Camry is also a great option for consumers looking to get a sedan that is packed to the brim with the latest features. But there are no known replacement plans for the Avalon.

Q3. Which Is Better Camry Or Avalon?

Now, this is an interesting question. Although the same company designs them, the Avalon easily beats the Camry in most regards.

It is not only a spacious and more luxurious feeling, but it is also much more powerful. The Avalon features a V6 engine, while the Camry rocks a 2.5L engine under the hood.

It is also pretty decent but is easily beaten by the 3.5L beast that the Avalon sports. So, the Avalon is the clear winner among the two.

Q4. How Many Miles Should A Toyota Avalon Last?

Although the Avalon looks like a vehicle that will last you for a long time, its maximum mileage is not that much. It can be driven for 200000 miles, which is plenty for most people.

It is not the best in class. It must be noted that this number can only be reached if the vehicle is maintained at all times.

If you drive around 15000 miles annually, then you can expect the sedan to last you for more than a decade.

Related: How Long Do Toyota Avalons Last?

Q5. Are Toyota Avalon’s Expensive To Fix?

Now, you will be surprised to know that the repair and maintenance costs of the Avalon are much lower than other sedans in this segment.

Annual costs are around $463, while the average for full-size cars is around $590.

That is impressive! So, simply put, you will have to spend around $463 every year to keep your sedan in pristine condition. That is very impressive.

Conclusion

With a history of more than 30 years, the Toyota Avalon has had varying performance throughout its lifetime.

While recent years of the vehicle have been exceptionally reliable, older models must not be forgotten too.

Some of them were pretty unreliable, which is what this article is all about, getting into the details of the best and worst years for Toyota Avalon.

The 2021 variant takes a huge lead out of all of the models. It has no complaints, which is rare to see in a vehicle.

It is the perfect choice for anyone looking to buy a great vehicle on the road that looks and feels luxurious.