The Lemon Index2012 Toyota Avalon.
The 2012 Toyota Avalon is better than average by owner complaints: 17 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 52, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Toyota Avalon year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 30 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Toyota Avalon year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 70K miles on the car (23 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 4
- airbags 2020
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.
- airbags 2018
During a vehicle repair, the seat belt inner buckles may have been replaced with parts that may incorrectly tell the air bag management system that the seat belt is always buckled.
- electrical 2015
In the affected vehicles, the sub-woofer speaker located in the trunk may experience an intermittent electrical short which may cause damage to the integrated circuit (IC) in the audio amplifier.
Show all 4 recalls
- electrical 2013
In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 292 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the…
- When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Avalon 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
I attempting to park . The car suddenly accelerated and struck a handicap sign and then struck the building.
2012 Toyota Avalon owner · NHTSA complaint 10706213
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 52; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Avalon year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Avalon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (29%), speed control (24%) and electrical (24%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Avalon get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Toyota Avalon problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,000 and 70,000 miles. The middle report was at 33,000 miles, from 23 complaints.
Does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Toyota Avalon cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Avalon year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works