Is the Toyota Avalon reliable?
51% of the 27 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 56/100 — it scores a little below average.
27
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections56/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10051%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 27 used Toyota Avalons we inspected, this model scores a little below average — average condition 56/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
59%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
44%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
41%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
37%
Fluid leaks · Steering (hydraulic power)
37%
Share of inspected Toyota Avalons where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 7%
Good 44%
Mediocre 22%
Poor 26%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
85%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
30%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
More on Toyota
RAV4
53 cars · 79% good
Prius
61 cars · 67% good
Tacoma
45 cars · 63% good
Highlander
40 cars · 63% good
Corolla
110 cars · 61% good
Sienna
48 cars · 56% good
Tundra
48 cars · 56% good
Camry
100 cars · 53% good
4Runner
67 cars · 46% good
Other Toyota models we've inspected — or see the full Toyota profile.
Straight from recent Toyota Avalon reports
2017 Toyota Avalon · 112k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fuel trim out of range, sway bars. Inspected Aug 16.
2016 Toyota Avalon · 74k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared, worn brake rotors. Inspected Jul 7.
The bottom line
These Avalons almost always arrive with repainted panels—85 percent of them—and the engine is the weak link, with oil leaks on 59 percent. Get under it first for oil and power-steering fluid drips, then run your own scan because active codes and recently cleared ones turn up often. Worn tires are common enough to use as a bargaining chip. Walk away if the seller blocks a thorough engine-bay look or if codes reappear after a reset; the complete lack of structural repairs is the only real plus, and it does not make up for a leaking engine.
FAQ
?
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What are the most common problems on a used Toyota Avalon?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (59%), fuel trim out of range (44%), active error codes (41%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 30% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Toyota Avalon? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 27 inspections · updated Aug 22, 2026
