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Which Years Of Used Toyota Avalons Are Most Reliable?

in Reliability
Toyota Avalon on a Street

Source: Pixabay

Toyota is one of the most prominent trusted auto brands on the market. One of their most popular choices is the Toyota Avalon, the company’s flagship sedan. It comes in either a V-6 or hybrid format for the ultimate performance. If you’re interested in a used version of this vehicle, you might wonder - what year of the Toyota Avalon is the most reliable?

Reliability is one of the most critical aspects of purchasing a car. If a vehicle isn’t reliable, it will cost you tons in repairs and will make driving a nuisance. We’ve considered what year of the Toyota Avalon is the most reliable and other vital information you should know. Let’s look at the most reliable choices for the Toyota Avalon.

THE TOYOTA AVALON YEARS TO AVOID

While Toyota vehicles are generally reliable, every model and year has its pros and cons, and some years are made better than others. We’ll go over the worst Toyota Avalon years to avoid to ensure you get the best possible vehicle.

Most Reliable Years For The Avalon

The Toyota Avalon has been in production since 1994, leaving plenty of room for successes and failures when considering reliability. We’ve narrowed it down every year to present the most reliable choices.

Here are the most reliable years for the Toyota Avalon:

  • 1994 Toyota Avalon
  • 1995 Toyota Avalon
  • 1996 Toyota Avalon
  • 1997 Toyota Avalon
  • 1998 Toyota Avalon
  • 1999 Toyota Avalon
  • 2000 Toyota Avalon
  • 2001 Toyota Avalon
  • 2002 Toyota Avalon
  • 2003 Toyota Avalon
  • 2004 Toyota Avalon
  • 2009 Toyota Avalon
  • 2010 Toyota Avalon
  • 2012 Toyota Avalon
  • 2015 Toyota Avalon
  • 2016 Toyota Avalon
  • 2017 Toyota Avalon
  • 2018 Toyota Avalon
  • 2019 Toyota Avalon
  • 2020 Toyota Avalon
  • 2021 Toyota Avalon

If you’re wondering what year of the Toyota Avalon is the most reliable, any of these selections will do.

The Toyota Avalon is shocking because many of its older models are very reliable, with minimal customer complaints. It’s better to go old or newer when purchasing a Toyota Avalon.

No matter how reliable these years are, they don’t determine the overall reliability of the Toyota Avalon. Let’s examine how this vehicle stacks up against the competition and other sedans.

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Are Toyota Avalons Generally Reliable?

The Toyota Avalon is a very reliable car, above average in most instances. According to withclutch.com, the Toyota Avalon scores 82.6, allowing it to fall in the very reliable category. It is on par with other top-notch Toyota performers like the Sequoia, Prius, and Yaris.

It’s good to have a second opinion, so let’s examine another reliable site. According to repairpal.com, the Toyota Avalon comes in a ⅘ in reliability, putting it at 3rd out of 14 for full-size vehicles.

The annual repair cost for a Toyota Avalon is $463, far below average for other full-size car repairs. There is an average likelihood that repairs will end up being severe and expensive when taken into the shop.

Toyota Avalon owners report bringing their vehicle to the repair shop an average of .4 times a year for unscheduled repairs .4 times a year, which is slightly higher than the average of .3. Still, the unscheduled repairs are only 13% likely to be severe.

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Which Avalon Years Are The Least Reliable?

Choosing to purchase a used car typically involves saving money. To save the most money, it’s critical to pick the most reliable year for the Toyota Avalon. To pick the best, you should be aware of the worst.

Here are the least reliable years for the Toyota Avalon:

  • 2005 Toyota Avalon
  • 2006 Toyota Avalon
  • 2007 Toyota Avalon
  • 2008 Toyota Avalon
  • 2011 Toyota Avalon
  • 2013 Toyota Avalon
  • 2014 Toyota Avalon

If you’re considering what year of the Toyota Avalon is the most reliable, avoid these at all costs.

You might find these models on the market for less than the reliable options, but it’s not worth it. They are more likely to have expensive repairs, which will end up costing more than if you spent a little extra on a nicer used option.

Customer complaints are an excellent place to monitor the reliability of a car, and most customers complained about these years. Our advice is to stay away.

What Are The Most Common Issues With A Toyota Avalon?

Every vehicle has troubles, and the Toyota Avalon is no different. If you’re purchasing a used version, it’s helpful to know the issues most drivers have encountered over the years.

According to gtautomotive.com, here are the most common issues with the Toyota Avalon:

  • Poor steering rack: Steering rack complications are among the top issues for the Avalon, with symptoms including power steering fluid leaks, screeching or clunking noises when turning, difficulty steering at low speeds, or a loose steering wheel feel.
  • Airbag malfunction: Serious concerns have been raised around the Avalon’s airbag system, particularly failures to deploy in accidents, leading to severe injuries. Possible reasons include faulty sensors, old car batteries affecting sensor efficiency, previously deployed airbags wearing out, and clock spring failures.
  • Faulty alternator: Owners have reported alternator issues leading to engine stalls, electrical malfunctions, and unusual noises. Alternator replacement can be costly, with prices going upwards of $700.
  • Acceleration issues: The Avalon has had problems with erratic acceleration, including cruise control causing sudden braking, accelerators sticking, or unexpected acceleration. Causes could range from damaged mass airflow or oxygen sensors, a faulty catalytic converter, debris in the fuel system, or timing belt misalignment.
  • Air condition faults: Although less critical, the Avalon’s air conditioning system has its faults, from dirty cabin air filters or clogged condensers to more severe issues like blower motor or AC compressor failures. Most AC problems are manageable with professional help and can sometimes be DIY fixes for those familiar with their vehicles.

These can get in the way of your overall driving experience.

There are many troubles drivers have reported in the Toyota Avalon. However, it’s critical to note that most of them are minor issues that don’t take extensive finances to repair. Be aware of these problems when buying to avoid being surprised if something goes wrong.

Even though there are some problems with the Avalon, it’s overall a decent vehicle. Is it worth your hard-earned money?

THE 10 MOST RELIABLE AMERICAN CARS

Because the car buying experience is so stressful, it’s helpful to go into the dealership with information ahead of time. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of the 10 most reliable American cars so you can approach the process from a place of empowerment.

Is The Toyota Avalon Worth It?

If you want a used Toyota Avalon, there are far more reliable years than unreliable. Overall, the model is a quality choice with few customer complaints and a history of low costs in the repair shop.

It’s tricky to find large vehicles, especially those with a hybrid option available, that are also reliable. The Toyota Avalon falls under this category, and you are sure to enjoy every ride you get from the vehicle.

Toyota is a strong brand on the market. Even their used vehicles prove reliability, decades after they were first driven.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the reported issues and a few unreliable years scare you away from a used Toyota Avalon - it’s an excellent car with very few expensive repairs and complaints compared to other sedans. There’s plenty of room for you and multiple passengers to go wherever you want without fear of breaking down.

We hope this information was helpful! There aren’t too many issues with the Toyota Avalon, but some years are more reliable than others. With this information, you can invest in the most reliable years for the Avalon and avoid those that will cost you lots of money in repairs. Overall, a used Toyota Avalon is a quality choice.

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