Is the Toyota Avalon a reliable car?

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size sedan that boasts impressive fuel efficiency, expansive storage space, and excellent driving dynamics.

With such qualities, the Avalon is a perfect choice for families and individuals alike.

How long do Avalons last? Let’s find out in this article.

  • Here is the short answer to long Toyota Avalons last:
  • How Many Miles Can You Expect from A Toyota Avalon?
  • How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Toyota Avalon?
  • How Long Do Toyota Last Compared to Similar Car Models?
    • Toyota Avalon vs. Chevrolet Impala
    • Toyota Avalon vs. Ford Taurus
    • Toyota Avalon vs. Nissan Maxima
  • How Reliable Is a Toyota Avalon?
  • The Best and Worst Years for Toyota Avalon
  • What About Recalls for These Models?
  • Toyota Model Year List
  • Are Toyota Avalon Expensive to Maintain?
    • How Long Do the Brakes Last?
    • How Long Do the Tires Last?
    • How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
    • How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
    • What About Insurance Cost?
    • Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Toyota Avalon
  • Resources

Is the Toyota Avalon a reliable car?

Here is the short answer to long Toyota Avalons last:

With regular periodic maintenance, any Toyota Avalon can get up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Based on an annual average of 15,000 miles, you can drive the Toyota Avalon for about 10 to 13 years or more.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from A Toyota Avalon?

Toyota, the manufacturer of the Avalon, is renowned for reliability. Therefore, it is not surprising that Toyota Avalon can stay in excellent condition for years.

In fact, many buyers report that this model can reach high mileages and still run flawlessly.

All things being equal, you can expect 200,000 miles or more from your Toyota Avalon. However, there is a caveat: your Toyota Avalon requires proper care to have a long service life.

A big part of caring for your car is proper maintenance. Irregular maintenance will cause your Toyota Avalon to break down before it reaches 200k miles.

Oil and fluid changes, filter replacements, tire rotations, etc., are some maintenance activities that will help keep your Avalon in perfect condition.

Gentle driving is another part of caring for your car; it will help in keeping wear-and-tear at minimal levels.

Using your vehicle roughly will encourage increased strain and pronounced wear on components. And as you know, worn parts can fail anytime and cause vehicle breakdown.

Also, check our article here about how the Toyota Avalon handles snow driving.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Toyota Avalon?

Unlike most vehicles, the Toyota Avalon has few reported cases of extensive rusting. On a ToyotaNation forum we visited, a user said he had never noticed rust on his 14-year-old Toyota Avalon XL.

Another user also reported that his 16-year-old Toyota Avalon had hardly shown signs of rust since he bought it. These reports show that Toyota Avalons are quite resistant to rust.

However, this does not mean they are impervious to corrosion. If you live in areas where road salting is prevalent, your Toyota Avalon may face rust issues.

As you drive over salted roads, the salt particles will stick to the parts of your vehicle, e.g., the underbody and cause rust.

Some methods suggested by Toyota Avalon owners for preventing rust include:

  • Washing the car regularly: This is particularly important if you live in the Rust Belt where you have salt on roads. Periodic washing will remove salt particles from the car and prevent corrosion.
  • Waxing the car: This will keep the paint intact and protect the metal underneath. If the paint on your vehicle peels, the metal will be exposed to moisture, which will speed up rusting.

Please also read our article about 5 differences between Toyota & Lexus vehicles.

How Long Do Toyota Last Compared to Similar Car Models?

Here is how the Toyota Avalon matches up to the competition:

Toyota Avalon vs. Chevrolet Impala

Although the Toyota Avalon lasts longer than the Chevrolet Impala, the difference isn’t particularly noticeable.

The Chevy Impala can go up to 160,000 miles before it needs major repairs. This is about 40,000 miles lesser than the maximum mileage you can get from a Toyota Avalon.

The more noticeable difference between both cars is in terms of gas mileage.

While the Toyota Avalon gets an average of 25 MPG, the Chevrolet Impala nets an average 22 MPG. Therefore, in the long run, the Chevy Impala will cost you more to keep running.

Make sure to also read our article about how long Chevrolet Impalas last.

Toyota Avalon vs. Ford Taurus

With proper maintenance, both the Toyota Avalon and the Ford Taurus will last the same number of years.

The Ford Taurus can last 200,000 miles, which translates to about 15 years of use, same with the Toyota Avalon.

Nonetheless, the Avalon is the better long-term choice for many reasons.

First, it is cheaper to maintain. It costs, on average, $463 to service annually; compare this to the Taurus’ $697 yearly service bill.

Second, it is less susceptible to rust. The Ford Taurus has witnessed complaints of rust-related issues, with some owners experiencing rust within 3 to 6 years.

In contrast, the Toyota Avalon has had a few complaints of rust.

Toyota Avalon vs. Nissan Maxima

The Nissan Maxima is a close rival of the Toyota Avalon in the full-size segment.

Like the Avalon, it blends comfort, utility, and performance seamlessly. It can also go the same number of miles as the Toyota Avalon (200,000 miles).

Nevertheless, our bet is on the Toyota Avalon to outlast the Nissan Maxima. The Maxima models are notorious for rust, unlike the Avalon.

Besides, lower servicing expenses mean it is easier to keep a Toyota Avalon running compared to a Nissan Maxima.

Average annual servicing expenses on the Avalon are around $463; you would spend $77 more for the Maxima.

You should also be reading our article which talks about 3 Most Common Problems With Toyota Avalon

How Reliable Is a Toyota Avalon?

Early models of the Toyota Avalon were somewhat disappointing and had poor reliability. However, newer models have benefited from more rigorous quality control; and enjoy a better reliability record.

The Toyota Avalon performs well on most reliability ratings, including RepairPal’s Reliability Rating and J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study.

RepairPal gives the Toyota Avalon a 4.0 Reliability Rating and ranks it the 3rd most reliable model in its segment.

As with RepairPal, the Toyota Avalon earns a 4.0 reliability rating from J.D. Power. It also ranked as the Most Dependable Large Car in J.D. Power’s 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study.

Numbers, they say, do not lie; the Toyota Avalon is indeed a reliable car guaranteed to give years of stress-free motoring.

Please also read our article on 11 Toyota Avalon statistics you should know.

The Best and Worst Years for Toyota Avalon

Like every other vehicle, the Toyota Avalon has had some good years and some bad ones. According to Car Complaints, the worst year for the Toyota Avalon is the 2014 model year.

Buyers had various problems with these models, but perhaps the scariest issue was the car’s susceptibility to sudden, unintended acceleration.

From reports of those who have experienced the problem, the car’s RPM seems to jump on its own, followed by an increase in speed.

At times, it is easy to control the surge in speed and prevent the car from going out of control. However, in a dangerous scenario, the car may accelerate without your input and put you in danger.

The 2014 Avalon also received complaints concerning its interior, especially the squeaky sound present in the vehicle’s cabin.

Car Complaints has only two reported issues on record for the 2019 Toyota Avalon, making it the best year for the model. The 2020 model has no problems, either, but we cannot use it since it is a new model.

Asides being reliable, the 2019 Toyota Avalon comes with a slew of features that improve overall ride quality.

These features include heated seats, generous legroom, ApplePlay compatibility and high-tech safety features. 

What About Recalls for These Models?

Toyota has issued 29 recalls for the Avalon since it started production of the model in 1997. Below, we have ranked each Avalon model year according to the number of recalls for it:

  • 2007: 7 recalls
  • 2006: 7 recalls
  • 2005: 7 recalls
  • 2009: 7 recalls
  • 2008: 6 recalls
  • 2012: 3 recalls
  • 2014: 3 recalls
  • 2004: 3 recalls
  • 2013: 3 recalls
  • 1998: 2 recalls
  • 2001: 2 recalls
  • 2016: 2 recalls
  • 2000: 2 recalls
  • 1999: 2 recalls
  • 2003: 2 recalls
  • 1997: 1 recall
  • 2002: 1 recall
  • 2011: 1 recall
  • 2015: 1 recall
  • 2017: 1 recall
  • 2019: 1 recall

Toyota Model Year List

Here are the model years for the 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
  • 2005 Toyota Avalon
  • 2006 Toyota Avalon
  • 2007 Toyota Avalon
  • 2008 Toyota Avalon
  • 2009 Toyota Avalon
  • 2010 Toyota Avalon
  • 2011 Toyota Avalon
  • 2012 Toyota Avalon
  • 2013 Toyota Avalon
  • 2014 Toyota Avalon
  • 2015 Toyota Avalon
  • 2016 Toyota Avalon
  • 2017 Toyota Avalon
  • 2018 Toyota Avalon
  • 2019 Toyota Avalon

Are Toyota Avalon Expensive to Maintain?

Due to their luxury status, full-size cars have high maintenance costs. However, the Toyota Avalon has surprisingly low servicing expenses.

You’d even be shocked to know it is cheaper to maintain than some smaller-sized cars.

Per RepairPal data, you will spend an average of $463 per year on maintenance for your Toyota Avalon. This is lesser than what you would spend on the average full-size car ($590). 

Nevertheless, poor maintenance will see you spend more as your vehicle will constantly need repairs.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

Brake pads on the Toyota Avalon should last between 30,000 to 60,000 miles before they wear out. Likewise, brake rotors should last up to 60,000 miles before needing replacement.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

Depending on how you drive your Toyota Avalon, the tires should have a lifespan of 40,000 to 60,000 miles.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

Transmissions can last up to 100,000 miles or more, with periodic performance. Transmission fluid changes and flushes are important if you want your Avalon’s tranny to last.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

The Toyota Avalon uses platinum and iridium spark plugs; both can last up to 100,000 miles.

What About Insurance Cost?

Average insurance cost for the Toyota Avalon per year is $2,040, which is about $170 monthly.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Toyota Avalon

Here are ways to improve the longevity of your Toyota Avalon:

  1. Keep your vehicle garaged: This will prevent rust and preserve the structural integrity of components.
  2. Follow the maintenance schedule: This will forestall any problem and keep your vehicle in peak running condition for long.
  3. Perform regular checks: Asides the scheduled maintenance activities, form the habit of running visual examinations on your car. Something as minute as a coolant leak may be the sign of a bigger problem.
    Thus, you should always be on the lookout for symptoms that could mean trouble for your Toyota Avalon.

Resources

https://repairpal.com/reliability/toyota/avalon

https://m.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Avalon/

Was this article helpful?

Is the Toyota Avalon a reliable car?
Is the Toyota Avalon a reliable car?

Did you find wrong information or was something missing?

We would love to hear your thoughts! (PS: We read ALL feedback)

What problems do Toyota Avalon have?

Most Common Problems with the 2021 Toyota Avalon The complaints about the 2021 Avalon involve 4 components and systems. These are back-over prevention, the electrical system, the engine, and the brakes of the car. One is listed as an electrical system and engine problem.

How many miles do Toyota Avalons last?

With regular periodic maintenance, any Toyota Avalon can get up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Based on an annual average of 15,000 miles, you can drive the Toyota Avalon for about 10 to 13 years or more.

Which year Toyota Avalon is the most reliable?

Here's a look at the five best years for the Toyota Avalon..
2022 Toyota Avalon. 2022 Toyota Avalon Touring | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. ... .
2015 Toyota Avalon. MikesCarInfo. ... .
2012 Toyota Avalon. ... .
2009 Toyota Avalon. ... .
2003 Toyota Avalon..

Is the Camry or Avalon better?

It offers a smoother, quieter ride and has standard leather seats — and typically comes at a higher price point. The Camry offers a sportier driving experience and gets better fuel economy. The choice between the Toyota Camry and the Toyota Avalon comes down to your preferences.