MYRModel Year Report

2012 Toyota Avalon

▲ Better than typical
2012 Toyota Avalon
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:53:33.257Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
30
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 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: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 30 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 30 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 30 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 42 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints

2012: 30 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201542
201623
201714
201824
201971
202010
202121
20228

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

20% · 6 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Toyota Avalon. The frontal airbags failed to deploy when an 18 wheeler collided into the vehicle while travelling at 65 MPH. The cause of the failure was unknown.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-03-06

Another driver rand a red light and I (T-boned his passenger side) was in a head on collision. I was breaking at the time, but still imagine I hit him at between 30-40 MPH. The front end crumpled as expected but the airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-10-18

My vehicles airbags did not deploy I was hit by an 18 wheeler at a high rate of speed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-17

Structure

20% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing body and dashboard.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

13% · 4 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2ND complaint (First complaint - #10522765) - on July 2, 2013, around 5:20 p.m., my fourth incident of brake failure occurred. I was going about 5 miles and applied brakes. Brakes failed and engine sounded like it was racing.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-02

Also filed under Service brakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and shifted into drive when it suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact crashed into a scooter, a residential garage door and a wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-02

Electrical system

13% · 4 reports
FIRE

Visibility/wiper

10% · 3 reports

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2014-02-05Air bags, electrical system, equipment13V442000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2015-07-01Electrical system15V047000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles manufactured February 9, 2010, to October 22, 2012.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the audio system amplifier and install a protective cover around the sub-woofer, free of charge. The recall began on July 1,2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2018-09-19Air bags, seat belts18V569000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota Avalon vehicles.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the seat belt assembly to verify that it is properly detecting being unbuckled, replacing the inner seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2019-04-19Engineering analysisClosed 2024-09-19 Electrical overstress
  5. R
    2020-03-16Air bags20V024000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V442000 · Air bags, electrical system, equipment
  • Recall 15V047000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 18V569000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 20V024000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Toyota Avalon is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Avalon?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.