How many miles can a Toyota Avalon last? When you’re in the market for a new or second-hand Avalon, that’s a very reasonable question to ask. After all, you’re probably looking to get the most bang for your buck. In this blog, we’ll look at this question in great detail but first, let’s start with a quick answer:
On average, a Toyota Avalon lasts between 240.000 – 270.000 miles. An Avalon needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.38 times per year, with a 13% chance of severe problems. Furthermore, Avalon owners spend an average of $463 per year on repair costs.
Having said that, we’re certainly not done. Below, we’ll explain in more detail how many miles an Avalon can last. After that, we’ll also show you how much an Avalon costs annually and which production years are the most and least expensive. Furthermore, we also discuss the common problems that the car can have. Read on!
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How Many Miles Can A Toyota Avalon Last?
Today, we will analyze how many miles a Toyota Avalon can last. We conducted in-depth research on several different platforms to answer these questions. First, we have to look at the Toyota Avalon as a group. For this, we went to Autotrader.com to gather our sample size.
We took a pool of 2.763 Toyota Avalon units and divided them into groups based on the miles they had already driven. The results of this research are displayed in the table below.
| Amount Of Miles | Percentage Of Cars |
| Cars With 150.000+ | 9.55% |
| Cars With 100.000 – 149.000 | 15% |
| Cars With 45.000 – 99.999 | 32.7% |
| Cars With 0 – 44.999 | 42.75% |
What we can see in the table above is the fact that 9.55% of Avalon units that are for sale in the United States have crossed the 150.000 miles mark. By itself, this number doesn´t say a lot. However, from writing hundreds of articles like this, we know that we expect a car to achieve a number between 3-5%.
Therefore, the Avalon seems to perform exceptionally well. Typically when we see numbers like this, it´s because the car has already been out of production for a while. However, that´s not the case for the Avalon, which is still being sold.
However, digging deeper, we see that Toyota sold more Avalons ten years ago than they do these days. Therefore, it´s logical that many more units have had time to reach higher mileage. However, overall it´s still a very positive point for the Avalon that so many of its sold units are capable of achieving these numbers.
How Reliable Is A Toyota Avalon Compared To Its Competitors?
Even when you see a vehicle having hundreds of thousands of miles on the gauge cluster, more proof is necessary to know for sure what you are buying is, in fact, the most reliable and long-lasting vehicle.
In the table below, we´ve displayed the expected and highest recorded mileage of different Avalon competitors. Please keep in mind we´ve written separate articles for these vehicles as well, and therefore we´re confident in the displayed results.
| Model | Sample Size | Expected Mileage | Highest Mileage |
| Toyota Avalon | 2.763 | 255.000 | 360.000 |
| Nissan Maxima | 3.881 | 240.000 | 310.000 |
| Ford Taurus | 2.803 | 190.000 | 350.000 |
| Chrysler 300 | 4.152 | 200.000 | 333.000 |
| Chevy Malibu | 12.374 | 240.000 | 380.000 |
| Kia Optima | 9.043 | 200.000 | 350.000 |
| Honda Accord | 31.361 | 250.000 | 360.000 |
From what we can see in the table below, it becomes clear that the Avalon has a very high expected mileage. Only especially reliable vehicles like the Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, and Chevy Malibu come close, and all three of these cars are known for having a very long lifespan.
Furthermore, the Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, and Kia Optima have a decent lifespan, but they come up 50.000 – 60.000 miles short compared to the Avalon. This is a win for the Toyota and not that surprising since it’s the same manufacturer that brought us workhorses like the Toyota Sienna or the long-lasting Highland Hybrid.
How Reliable Is A Toyota Avalon Compared To Other Toyotas?
We took several Toyota models and examined their reliability based on the same data. We took the mileage numbers of these models and compared them with the mileage numbers of the Toyota Avalon.
What becomes clear from this table immediately is the fact that Toyota builds vehicles with an incredible lifespan. Typically, car brands have vehicles that last between 200.000 – 250.000 miles, and anything above that is very rare.
However, Toyota has many vehicles with an expected mileage of 250.000 or higher including SUVs like the Sequoia.
What becomes clear is that the Avalon holds up pretty well, especially considering this is a sedan. Of course, the Camry has the better of the Avalon, but that´s because the Camry is a legendary vehicle in terms of reliability. Finally, it´s clear overall that Toyota builds very reliable vehicles, as seen by the expected mileage in the table.
| Model | Sample Size | Expected Mileage | Highest Mileage |
| Toyota Avalon | 2.763 | 255.000 | 360.000 |
| Toyota Camry | 18.503 | 270.000 | 400.000 |
| Toyota Yaris | 992 | 215.000 | 260.000 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 17.027 | 240.000 | 300.000 |
| Toyota Sequoia | 1.735 | 275.000 | 370.000 |
| Toyota Sienna | 6.166 | 255.000 | 290.000 |
| Toyota Highlander | 13.499 | 270.000 | 350.000 |
| Toyota Corolla | 17.297 | 265.000 | 340.000 |
| Toyota Tundra | 13.370 | 305.000 | 390.000 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 17.910 | 325.000 | 395.000 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 14.092 | 315.000 | 360.000 |
How Much Does Maintenance Cost Per Year?
The maintenance cost must be as low as possible for a vehicle to be truly reliable. Any unreliable vehicle can achieve high mileage if money is put into repairs. But a reliable car does not require those expensive repairs. In the table below, we´ve gathered the maintenance costs for many model years of the Yaris. This data was acquired from Repairpal and Caredge.com.
On average, we expect to pay $463 in annual maintenance costs for a Toyota Avalon. Let it be clear that this is an incredibly low number. Typically, it costs a car owner $590 per year to keep a full-size like the Avalon on the road. Therefore, the Avalon is well over $120 cheaper yearly than its competition.
What becomes clear from the table below as well is the fact that all model years that are older than five years have relatively consistent maintenance costs. This indicates that there aren´t any problematic models that we should look out for not to overpay. We´ll get into that in a moment, but these are good signs.
| Model Year | Annual Maintenance Cost |
| 2022 | $203 |
| 2021 | $240 |
| 2020 | $299 |
| 2019 | $348 |
| 2018 | $425 |
| 2017 | $498 |
| 2016 | $444 |
| 2015 | $454 |
| 2014 | $464 |
| 2013 | $466 |
| 2012 | $436 |
| 2011 | $475 |
| 2010 | $450 |
| 2009 | $410 |
| 2008 | $415 |
| 2007 | $375 |
Owners’ Reviews Of The Toyota Avalons Reliability
Besides knowing all the data, it’s, of course, also essential to see how owners experience the Avalon. For this, we went to Kelley Blue Book, Truecar, and Cars.com. All three platforms have gathered hundreds of reviews from actual car owners. We summarized our findings in the image below.
Overall we can see that the fifth generation of the Avalon is received quite well by owners across different platforms. For most people, the Avalon offers all the features, comfort, and ease of use they´re looking for.
However, not everything is perfect. For some owners, especially some reviews on Kelley Blue Book, we saw that they believe the car is too low, which makes them feel cramped and bump their heads on the way in. Also, the consensus is that the vehicle is a little overpriced. In general, the quote below sums up the sentiment quite well:
I love this car. It has great lines, great ride, and Toyota reliability. The only thing that kept the ratings lower were value and performance. I think the car is on the expensive side for what you get. I got a good deal so I was okay with that. But if you pay sticker for this car, you are definitely paying too much.
On performance, the car is quick. I just wish it was rear wheel or all wheel with the v6. The torque steer is noticeable if you really get on it. Other than that, love it.
Source, 2022 owner
Toyota Avalon Common Problems
When looking for a Toyota Avalon in the used market, it is crucial to know all the common problems. After our research, we have found the most common issues that you will find in an Avalon. If you want to read more about the common problems of the Avalon Hybrid, click that link.
NOTE: Before buying a used car, I always like to make sure the vehicle isn´t having any problems that you should be aware of. The easiest way to do this is by buying an OBD2 scanner. These scanners can easily be plugged into any car you’re interested in, and they’ll give you a rundown of potential problems.
Fifth Generation (2019 – Present)
The fifth generation of the Avalon is arguably still quite young. Therefore, not many problems have come up yet related to the parts’ wear-and-tear. However, some recalls have been issued, and we´ve outlined these below. Overall though, it seems this generation of the Avalon is quite a problem-free car which is a good sign.
Coolant Leaks
At the beginning of 2020, Toyota recalled Avalon of the same model year because of problems with coolant leaking from the engine. This was caused by porosity in the engine castings, which may result in cracks. These cracks would then allow coolant to leak internally and externally, increasing the fire risk. The engine block was replaced if necessary.
Fuel Pump Failure
Toyota recalled the 2019 – 2020 model years of the Avalon because of a failing fuel pump that would cause engine stalling. This was a Toyota-wide problem and can occur no matter what fuel you use in your Avalon. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank would fail, rendering the car useless. Changing the fuel pump assembly fixed the problem.
Automatic Shut-Off Implemented Too Late
As it turns out, the lack of automatic shut-off in all Toyota manufactured before 2020 has been a risk for owners. There have been cases where people have left the car running in their garage. This is because people have, and still are, getting used to keyless cars, which can leave the car running. This was especially dangerous for senior citizens, and Toyota implemented changes after two people died because of this issue.
Non-Deployment Of Airbags
As it turns out, the lack of automatic shut-off in all Toyota manufactured before 2020 has been a risk for owners. There have been cases where people have left the car running in their garage. This is because people have, and still are, getting used to keyless cars, which can leave the car running.
Fourth Generation (2013 – 2018)
The fourth generation of the Avalon was a bit of a different beast. Here, Toyota did have some serious safety and reliability issues. Especially the pre-2015 models were a bit problematic, given that they had unsolved braking problems or problems with sudden acceleration.
Echo While Calling Hands-Free
One problem focused on more recent models of the Avalon Hybrid is a loud echo during a hands-free phone call. According to owners, this problem was quite severe in the 2016 – 2019 versions of the Avalon Hybrid, rendering the whole system useless.
Brake System Problems
Pre-2015 models of the Avalon have an unresponsive brake pedal, a brake pedal that gets stuck, or you can have a tough time pressing the brake pedal. Toyota issued recalls for these problems for the Camry but never did for the Avalon.
If you experience hefty braking, it’s most likely a problem with the power brake assist. In this case, the vacuum pump part of the braking system will need to be replaced, which will cost $700. If you experience an unresponsive brake pedal or a delay during braking, it’s likely a failing ABS actuator, and replacing this element will set you back between $900 – $1,100.
Sudden Acceleration
Mainly a defect of pre-2015 models. The problem is that the car suddenly accelerates or won’t accelerate when needed. Toyota has never done actual research on the situation and has never issued a recall. However, we know that they settled several court cases regarding the Camry, which involved the same problem. In these cases, lawyers argued successfully that the electronic throttle-control system software of the car was at fault.
Faulty Seat Belt Pre-Tensioners And Airbags
In 2020, Toyota recalled millions of vehicles because of malfunctioning seat belt pre-tensioners and airbags. This included Avalon vehicles made between 2013 – 2018. The problem was caused by a faulty ECU (the car’s central computer) in the event of a crash. Installation of a noise filter between the airbag module and its wiring harness fixed the issue.
Pre-Collision System Malfunctioning
Avalon Hybrid, made between October 19, 2012, to October 27, 2015, had a recall in 2015 because of unexpected braking. The pre-collision system that some of these vehicles carried would identify steel plates on the road as obstacles. This would cause unnecessary and unexpected braking increasing the risk of a collision.
Is a Toyota Avalon A Smart Buy?
Finally, we have to answer whether or not the Avalon is a car you should consider buying. When we look at the car’s potential lifespan, we see that this is great and, compared to its competitors, the Avalon performs the best.
When we look at Toyota as a whole, we see that they build very reliable cars overall. Moving on to the annual maintenance costs, it becomes clear the Avalon is much cheaper to maintain than what we would expect from a car this size. All of these are positive points for the Avalon.
Owners’ reviews overall are positive, but the high sticker price and the fact that the car feels a bit low or cramped from time to time for taller owners do put a slight damper on the enthusiasm of the buyers as a whole.
Finally, we saw that the Avalon (especially the fifth generation) doesn´t have many serious problems. Also, complaints were not common at all. The fourth generation, especially the models made before or during 2015, were a bit more problematic because they have some unresolved safety issues.
If you´re in the market for an Avalon, we suggest going for a fifth-generation model if possible. Otherwise, anything from 2016 or newer will do the job as well.
Are you in the market for this Toyota? Don’t forget to check out our extensive list of the largest Toyota dealers per state!
Toyota Avalon Maintenance Schedule
To keep your Toyota Avalon in tip-top shape, you must pay attention to its maintenance schedule. And when you are in the used market, it is also essential to know this information beforehand. Furthermore, you can ask the owner of the Avalon some maintenance questions before buying when you have the know-how.
Before/On Every 5,000 Miles
- Change the oil and oil filter
- Rotate the tires
- Change the cabin air filter
Before/On Every 20,000 Miles
- Brakes inspection
- Brake lines inspection
- Battery inspection
- Electronics system inspection
Before/On Every 40,000 Miles
- Replace transmissoin oil
- Inspect the spark plugs and replace them if necessary
- Inspect the PCV system and check for any leaks
- Inspect all the sensors by using the scanner tool
- Inspect the brakes, brake line, and brake fluid
Before/On Every 60,000 Miles
- Inspect the suspension components
- Inspect the coolant and replace it if necessary. (The long-life coolant is generally okay for about 100k miles, but you should replace them earlier as they accumulate some contaminants, depending on where you drive).
- Check the spark plugs and replace them if necessary.
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!