2016 Toyota Avalon recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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."
What could happen: 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 AVALON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V215000 (manufacturer code G0J).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-270-9371.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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 be mailed between M…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 AVALON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V024000 (manufacturer code 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-270-9371.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
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 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.
What could happen: 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this rec…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 AVALON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V906000 (manufacturer code G05).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-331-4331.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2016 Toyota Avalon owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Unknown Or Other (5), Airbags (4), Engine (4), Visibility (wipers / glass) (3), Electrical system (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/03/2025 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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 wa…
03/12/2024 · Unknown Or Other
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 replac…
05/08/2023 · Wheels / tires
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…
02/10/2023 · Brakes
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 s…
01/02/2023 · Lane Departure
Clear
10/01/2020 · Electrical system · crash
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.
06/02/2020 · Unknown Or Other
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 ADHESI…
04/29/2020 · Airbags
RECALL OF 1/2020 STILL HAS NO REMEDY FROM MANUFACTURER AND NO ANTICIPATED DATE OF REMEDY AVAILABILITY (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 20V024).