Decode a Toyota Avalon VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Toyota sold the Avalon in the US for model years 1995–2022, across five generations. The XX10 came first (1995–1999); XX20 (2000–2004), XX30 (2005–2012), XX40 (2013–2018) followed, and the XX50 took over for 2019–2022. Across those years NHTSA lists 37 vehicle recall campaigns and 3,465 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the XX30. Its 2006 and 2008 model years alone account for 709 of them, with owners bringing up speed control / acceleration most often and exterior lighting after that. EPA rates the XX10 at 21–22 mpg combined, while the XX50, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 25–44 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Five generations since the 1995 model year. The XX30 (2005–2012) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (14).
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 584 NHTSA complaints.
4T1BF18B?WU······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1998 Toyota Avalon, built in Georgetown, KentuckyMentions in 921 NHTSA complaints.
4T1BF28B?3U······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2003 Toyota Avalon, built in Georgetown, KentuckyMentions in 1,453 NHTSA complaints.
4T1BK36B?6U······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2006 Toyota Avalon, built in Georgetown, KentuckyMentions in 391 NHTSA complaints.
4T1BK1EB?DU······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2013 Toyota Avalon, built in Georgetown, KentuckyMentions in 116 NHTSA complaints.
4T1BZ1FB?KU······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE/XSE/Touring/Ltd., built in Georgetown, KentuckyNHTSA has 37 campaigns on file for Avalon model years 1995–2022; no single year stands out (7 at most). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Complaints peak with the 2006 (360 of 3,465). Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 116 complaints, 2019–2022.
Fuel system leads the XX50 list with 27 mentions, yet no earlier Avalon generation has it among its six most-mentioned areas. Its first model year, the 2019, drew more complaints than any other (71 of 116).
Mentions in 391 complaints, 2013–2018.
The 2013 stands out. On its own it has 160 of the XX40’s 391 complaints (41%), and owners across the generation name visibility most often (50 mentions), then structure and body (48).
Mentions in 1,453 complaints, 2005–2012.
Of the eight XX30 model years, the 2006 (360) and 2008 (349) drew the most complaints. Owners across the generation name speed control / acceleration most often (351 mentions), then exterior lighting (254).
Mentions in 921 complaints, 2000–2004.
Air bags owns this generation. Its 395 mentions are more than twice the next area, speed control / acceleration (145). Complaints peak with the 2003 (293 of 921).
Mentions in 584 complaints, 1995–1999.
By area, nothing stands out. Steering leads with 74, with the suspension (70) and the air bags (61) close behind. Complaints peak with the 1998 (178 of 584).
Owner data is thin, with about 70 NHTSA complaints for 2019 and far fewer after. NHTSA owners of the 2019 mention stalling and fuel pump trouble, and CarComplaints owners report excessive oil consumption and blind spot monitor warnings. Recalls cover low pressure fuel pumps on some 2019–2020 models that may fail and stall the engine and air bag software on some 2019 models that may not deploy the air bags as intended. [1] [2]
The 2013 draws the most complaints. Many NHTSA owners describe a rear window sunshade stuck in the raised position, a sagging headliner above the rear glass and a distorted rear window. CarComplaints ranks front seat backs coming loose first for 2013, followed by an A/C odor and coolant leaks. Recalls cover the pre-collision system on some 2013–2015 models that may brake for a steel plate in the road and air bag control units on 2012–2018 models that may fail in certain crashes. [3] [4]
Headlights and oil leaks lead this generation. On the 2008, most NHTSA complaints describe HID headlights going out while driving, and CarComplaints lists the same problem first for 2008, followed by a major oil leak. CarComplaints ranks a sudden loss of engine oil with no warning first for 2006, followed by a cracked dashboard. Recalls cover accelerator pedals on 2005–2010 models that may stick and pedals on some models that a floor mat can trap. [5] [6] [7]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Hybrid Avalon versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 8 · fires 4 · injuries 7
Crashes 10 · fires 0 · injuries 10 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 12 · fires 0 · injuries 8 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 25 · fires 1 · injuries 25
Crashes 15 · fires 1 · injuries 9 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 43 · fires 2 · injuries 30
Crashes 34 · fires 1 · injuries 25 · complaints reporting a death 3
Crashes 32 · fires 2 · injuries 16
Crashes 49 · fires 2 · injuries 28 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 27 · fires 0 · injuries 17 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 36 · fires 3 · injuries 21 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 54 · fires 4 · injuries 35 · complaints reporting a death 2
Crashes 47 · fires 1 · injuries 35 · complaints reporting a death 4
Crashes 23 · fires 4 · injuries 15
Crashes 10 · fires 1 · injuries 6
Crashes 6 · fires 0 · injuries 6
Crashes 14 · fires 0 · injuries 6
Crashes 8 · fires 1 · injuries 6
Crashes 18 · fires 1 · injuries 21
Crashes 8 · fires 2 · injuries 11
Crashes 8 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Crashes 2 · fires 1 · injuries 2
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 2 · complaints reporting a death 5
Crashes 7 · fires 0 · injuries 4
Crashes 4 · fires 0 · injuries 5
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 0 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 2 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 50 Avalon versions for model years 1995–2022 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 201 g/mi, for the 2022 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
21–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–423 g/mi
21–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–423 g/mi
22–23 mpg · CO₂ 386–404 g/mi
24–40 mpg · CO₂ 223–366 g/mi
25–44 mpg · CO₂ 201–361 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2019–2022. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the Avalon, against 10 for the Honda Accord and 3 for the Chevrolet Malibu. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2005–2012
Model years 2005–2012
Model years 2005–2012
Model years 2013–2018
Model years 2013–2018
Model years 2013–2018
Model years 2019–2022
Model years 2019–2022
Model years 2019–2022
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Locate the Avalon's VIN on the metal plate at the lower driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker and a trunk lid label near the latch are the secondary locations. The XX50 generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The 2006 leads with 360, ahead of the 2008 (349) and 2003 (293). Those first two alone make up 20% of the 3,465 Avalon complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 37 vehicle campaigns for model years 1995–2022, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, XX30 leads with 14. Then come the XX40 (11), XX50 (8), XX20 (5) and XX10 (2), and a campaign can span two generations.
NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 16V-396, 15V-047, 14V-576, 19V-097 and 20V-064. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the XX10 is 1995–1999 and the XX20 2000–2004. XX30 spans 2005–2012, XX40 2013–2018 and XX50 2019–2022. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).
It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2022 XX50 at 25–44 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 21–22 mpg for the 1995–1999 XX10 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2019–2022 models the Avalon has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Accord has 10, the Chevrolet Malibu 3. Complaints run 116, 1,774 and 578 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2022 Avalon 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.