AI Damage2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and powertrain. The maker issued 130 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 130
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 50% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 50% of all complaints
- Suspension: 1 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (50% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (50% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 2 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 58 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Since I bought the car there is a pull to the left,,I went back to the dealer and brought the problem to his attention, ,, ohh ,,,drive the car for a while ,,sometimes the tires might need to wear a bit and everything is going to be fine,,,I did that but the problem is still there, ,,asked again ,,,,,,ohhhh ,, maybe…
Transmission slips under normal acceleration bucking vibration very high rpm(4500-5500) jerks not pick up engine power properly .vehicle not accelerating properly
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 19,885 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 46% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Avalon Hybrid has 6 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 2, below average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries
This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination.
- This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for…
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
NHTSA lists 130 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, powertrain, steering. Total complaints: 2. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (50%), transmission slipping (50%), vibration (50%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 130 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.