MYRModel Year Report

1996 Toyota Avalon

● Typical for this model
1996 Toyota Avalon
RENDERED 2026-09-16T16:14:19.330Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Avalon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1996 1997: 125 complaints 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 359 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2022
1996: 109 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006359
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201541
201623
201714
201824
201970
202010
202121
20228

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970527

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and windshield.

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing pump and rack and pinion.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PULLING UP TO A CURB, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091109

DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT; STARTED TO TURN VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED SUDDENLY & HIT POST IN FRONT OF STORE; BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970314

AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE SPEED BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130303

Also filed under ENGINE

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 19970429 — PE (closed 19970722)

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

I 19970722 — EA (closed 19980921)

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

I 20020430 — DP (closed 20020620)

ENGINE SEIZURE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (12 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2008 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Toyota Avalon is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Toyota Avalon?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Avalon have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.