vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Toyota AVALON problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

23 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

31,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior28.7%
Electrical and battery issues28.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Unknown Or Other
5
Air Bags
4
Engine
4
Electrical System
3
Structure:Body
3
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
Power Train
2
Service Brakes
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Unknown Or Other5
Air Bags4
Engine4
Electrical System3
Structure:Body3
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection2
Power Train2
Service Brakes2

Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0007
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
3
2017
3
2018
3
2019
5
2020
4
2023
3
2024
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20163
20173
20183
20195
20204
20233
20241
20251

2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11187352 · 2019-03-17 (March 17, 2019)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11187352 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11506672 · 2023-02-10 (February 10, 2023)

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 cente…

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11506672 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10823906 · 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)

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 IS A DRAIN ON THE BATTERY WHEN THERE SHOULD NOT BE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR THE 3RD DAY AND THEY HAVE YET TO IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE. THE VEHICLE HAS 212 MILES AND I AM FEARFUL THAT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WILL CAUSE FIRE AND SE…

Owner-reported narrative. 110 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823906 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11171952 · 2019-01-24 (January 24, 2019)

"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT AND YELLOW TRIANGLE LIGHT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING FOR 3 DAYS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING THE AFTERNOON AFTER DEALERSHIP HOURS. 2ND TIME WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO WHICH THEY TOLD ME MY BATTERY WAS DIRTY AND FAILING WAS THE REASON FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. 3RD TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY CELL PHONE CHARGER WHICH WAS NEVER PLUGGED UP ON ANY OF THE TIMES THE LIGHT CAME ON WAS THE R…

Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11171952 at NHTSA ↗