2016 Toyota Avalon Safety Report
2016 Toyota Avalon Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Toyota Avalon
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Toyota Avalon. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (23) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Toyota Avalon with 10 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Toyota Avalon before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Avalon Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Avalon years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Toyota Avalon | 14 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota Avalon | 52 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Toyota Avalon | 24 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Toyota Avalon | 64 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Toyota Avalon | 10 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota Avalon | 20 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Toyota Avalon Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Toyota Avalon, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyEngine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Toyota onlyElectrical System,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Toyota onlyVisibility
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Toyota Avalon
Reliability Score
The 2016 Toyota Avalon receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota Avalon
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Toyota Avalon
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Toyota Avalon:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag/Restraint Control Module Toyota is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla and 2016 Avalon models due to issues with the air bag/ restraint control module. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Hesitations The engine hesitates for a few seconds when starting from a stop or in city traffic, which could affect the vehicle's performance. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Glass Shattering A 2016 Toyota Avalon experienced a sunroof glass shattering incident at 70 mph, which could pose a safety risk. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Issues Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tires have been reported to have issues, including falling trim pieces and tire separation. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Toyota Avalon:
Issues with the air bag/ restraint control module have been reported in 23% of the cases.
Engine hesitations have been reported in 23% of the cases.
Sunroof glass shattering has been reported in 10% of the cases.
Tire issues have been reported in 10% of the cases.
Recall Details for the 2016 Toyota Avalon
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Toyota Avalon by NHTSA:
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1...
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon, and 2017 Camry vehicles manufactured August 3, 2016, to September 12, 2016. The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.
Consequence: If the air bag was installed with incorrect fasteners, the fasteners may become loose over time, affecting the air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fasteners, and if necessary, replace the instrument panel brace and body bracket and reattach the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G05.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Mo...
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall began by May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Toyota Avalon
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Toyota Avalon with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sunroof glass shattered. The contact stated that there was no glass inside the vehicle because the sunroof shade was in the closed position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,500.
The manufacturer is no longer producing OEM windshield that comply with the a DAS features which are now in operable because my windshield will not calibrate after replacement because there is not an OEM windshield available. I have contacted Toyota. I have also searched everywhere in the states for an OEM windshield Toyota has tried to calibrate the replacement which is aftermarket, as well as th...
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Avalon equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: CS5 Ultra Touring, Tire Size: 215/55/R17, DOT Number: U93R1CU1820. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a tire shop and was informed that the tread on the driver’s and passenger’s side tires were separa...
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 th...
Clear
TRAVEL ON THE STREET AND MAY HIT AN OBJECT (COULD BE AN EMPTY TRASH CONTAINER. VEHICLE LEFT THE TRAVEL LANE, GOING UP ON THE SIDEWALK, STUCK 2 GARBAGE CANS AND THROUGH THE NUMEROUS BUSHES.
THERE ARE TWO PIECES OF ACCORDIAN SHAPED TRIM THAT CONTINUALLY FALL FROM INSIDE THE SUNROOF. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP REINSTALL THEM - AND THEY CHARGED ME. HOWEVER, THEY CONTINUED TO FALL FROM THE SUNROOF AND THEY ARE NOW STORED IN THE TRUNK. POOR DESIGN. PLUS, NOT TOO SAFE HAVING THIS RUBBER PART FALL ONTO YOUR HEAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE ADHESIVE ON THE PART MAY NOT KEEP THE PART IN I...
RECALL OF 1/2020 STILL HAS NO REMEDY FROM MANUFACTURER AND NO ANTICIPATED DATE OF REMEDY AVAILABILITY (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 20V024).
MY CAR HAS AN SOS SYSTEM THAT NOTIFIES TOYOTA OR THEIR CONTRACTOR IF THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, SUMMONS LAW ENFORCEMENT, TOW TRUCK, ETC. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT OTHER SAFETY ISSUES ARE WRAPPED INTO IT. IT HAS A RED WARNING LIGHT THAT GOES ON WHEN IT STOPS WORKING. IT HAS BEEN INTO MY LOCAL DEALER THREE TIMES TO BE REPAIRED AND EACH "REPAIR" HAS FAILED IMMEDIATELY UPON ME PICKING IT UP AGAIN. TODA...
ENGINE HESITATES FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP OR A SLOW SPEED IN CITY TRAFFIC. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER LEARNING PROCESS AND IT SHOULD GO AWAY. PROBLEMS HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE NEW IN 2016.
THE MOON ROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH ALL WINDOWS SHUT.
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...
THE FRONT TO BACK SIDE RUBBER WEATHERSTRIPPING THAT MOVES WITH THE SUNROOF AS IT OPENS AND CLOSES CONTINUES TO FALL OFF. THERE ARE TWO PIECES LIKE THIS, ONE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THE OTHER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE TWO PIECES, EACH ABOUT 18 INCHES LONG AND TWO INCHES WIDE, LOOK LIKE BLACK RUBBER SMALL ACCORDIONS. WHILE DRIVING AND OPENING OR CLOSING THE SUNROOF, THESE STRIPS FALL OFF. DEALER...
"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 T...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA AVALON. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CARPET. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T...
MY WIFE'S AVALON HESITATES FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY DURING ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE YELLOW TRIANGLE LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH BOARD DURING THE HESITATION. I SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN AFTER TURNING LEFT AND ACCELERATING. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HER SAFETY WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC AND OR CROSSING A ROAD WITH AN UNEXPECTED HESITATION. OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAYS THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ...
INTERMITTENTLY THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR. WHEN PLACING THE GEARSHIFT IN THE D POSITION IT WILL INDICATE EITHER D1 AND WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. ONCE THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THE INDICATOR WILL BY ITSELF CHANGE TO D AND WILL SHIFT NORMALLY.
REAR WINDOW IS DISTORTED. THE DISTORTION APPEARS ESPECIALLY ACUTE WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH AVALONS OVER MORE THAN ONE MODEL YEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA AVALON. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND AND SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, A LOUD BOOM NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
Showing 20 of 23 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Toyota Avalon
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Elec...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Toyota Avalon
Has the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON have?
The 2016 TOYOTA AVALON has 23 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2016 TOYOTA AVALON received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON involve unknown or other (4 complaints), air bags (3 complaints), engine (2 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,engine, visibility, unknown or other,lane departure,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON out of 23 total complaints (8.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON out of 23 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON is generally recommended. It has 23 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (3 complaints), 3. ENGINE (2 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (2 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
Be aware of ongoing recalls for air bag issues and engine hesitations. Regularly check the vehicle for any signs of tire or sunroof problems. The 2016 TOYOTA AVALON has 23 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2016 TOYOTA AVALON receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 23 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air bag/Restraint control module and Engine hesitations.
What are the known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON?
Known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA AVALON include: Air bag/Restraint control module, Engine hesitations, Sunroof glass shattering, Tire issues. These are based on patterns found across 23 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Toyota Avalon?
Yes, there are recalls for air bag issues and engine hesitations. Check the NHTSA website for the latest recall information.
What should I do if I experience engine hesitations?
Have the vehicle checked by a professional mechanic to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Are there any known tire issues with the 2016 Toyota Avalon?
Yes, some owners have reported issues with Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tires, including falling trim pieces and tire separation.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of ongoing recalls for air bag issues and engine hesitations. Regularly check the vehicle for any signs of tire or sunroof problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Toyota Avalon
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Toyota Avalon. The data includes 23 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Toyota Avalon an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16