2016 Toyota Avalon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Toyota Avalon: 3 recalls, 23 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V215000 · 2016 · 58,515 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the ocs, free of charge. The recall began by May 13, 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V906000 · 2016 · 12 vehicles
What's wrong: The front passenger knee air bag module May have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V024000 · 2020 · 2,891,976 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (5): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
- Engine (4): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
The 2016 Toyota Avalon has 23 owner complaints, ranking #24 of 28 Avalon model years for complaints (well below the 122 average). Complaints peaked in 2019 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 31,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (41 complaints, 2 recalls), 2017 (14 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Toyota Avalon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2016 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Avalon problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (5), engine (4), airbags (4).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Avalon get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Toyota Avalon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.