Why The 2017 Toyota Avalon Is The Most Reliable Model Year

For drivers in the market for a full-size sedan, the privilege of choice has been steadily shrinking over the past few years. As SUVs take over the world, the market for sedans has been receding, and the number of full-size sedans on sale has taken a hit as a result. Models such as the Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, and the Chrysler 300 have all met their ends in the last few years.

Toyota’s Avalon joined the list back in 2022, meaning the only way to get one these days is on the used market. Luckily, courtesy of Toyota’s legendary reputation for building reliable cars, it’s tough to go too far wrong with whichever you choose. CarBuzz reckons the 2017 edition is the most dependable, and here’s why.

The 2017 Avalon Comes In A Variety Of Flavors

The 2017 Toyota Avalon was the final model year of its fourth-generation form, so it therefore got all the tweaks Toyota’s engineers made to rectify any complaints leveled with the early year model years of the car. The fourth-gen Avalon first broke cover in 2012, so the 2017 variant had around five years of changes based on customer feedback to fall back on.

There were two different engines available for the fourth-gen Avalon, with a 3.5-liter V6 powering the standard versions, while a 2.5-liter four-pot was combined with a small electric powertrain for the hybrid model. The V6 is capable of sending 268 hp to the front wheels, while the hybrid Avalon had 200 hp at its disposal.

For drivers wanting to save money on fuel, the Avalon hybrid model was the one to go for, while the V6 was ideal for gearheads who wanted a bit of power in their lives. A total of five trim levels were available for the V6, with the XLE being the entry-level car and the Limited being the range-topper. The hybrid followed a similar pattern, though the XLE Plus was the entry-level model on this occasion, while the Limited remained the top dog.

Both Avalon Breeds Are Good Value In 2024

All models came with dual-zone climate control and a form of touchscreen infotainment system, as well as cruise control and power leather seats. They also offer great value in 2024, with even the range-topping V6 Limited worth around $17,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. The hybrid version has held its money a little better, with Limited examples going for around $22,000.

The 2017 Avalon Is A Trusty Full-Size Sedan

As well as offering a good amount of power and equipment for the money, the 2017 Avalon also boasts an enviable reliability record. Consumer sites J.D Power and KBB award it reliability ratings of 81/100 and 4.7/5 stars respectively, while RepairPal reports that a good example should only cost its keeper around $498 per year to keep running sweetly.

The Avalon has also performed impressively in figures shared by the government-run National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which deals with recalls and complaints afforded to every car on sale in the USA. The 2017 Avalon has been subject to two separate recalls so far, with the most serious being a faulty airbag system ECU.

The part could fail in the event of a crash and not enable the seat belt pre-tensioners or airbags, severely increasing the chance of injury in a crash. Nearly 2.9 million vehicles were affected, so it’s important that any potential buyer checks whether the investigation into the problem has been completed on their car. A further 409 Avalons were affected by their spare tires not being inflated to their correct level from the factory, an issue that was easy to resolve.

Engine And Electrics The Source Of Most Avalon Complaints

The 2017 Avalon also does well in terms of complaints lodged with the NHTSA, with a total of 14 being filed since its launch. A fair number of these were filed on multiple occasions by the same owner at the same time too, so the real number is less than ten. The engine, which tends to be vulnerable to a particular problem in most cars, and the electrical system both had two complaints filed against them.

One driver fell victim to a failed speed control sensor while exiting a car park, causing the car to jump out of gear. Another related to a discrepancy between the analog and digital speedometer, making it difficult to know what speed they were traveling at. Both these issues seem to be isolated to a single case, so it can be put done to random errors.

Customers Were Impressed With Dependability Of Their Avalons

The 2017 Avalon can add another string to its bow alongside its impressive independent consumer outlet scores, as buyers of the car have also been left thrilled with its reliability. From a total of 260 reviews left on KBB, 88% of these awarded it either a four or five-star rating. Only 8% of owners felt the car deserved a one or two-star rating.

In a similar fashion to the complaints seen with the NHTSA, the bulk of the few low reviews focus on the engine and electrical system of the car, the latter of which can concern a wide variety of issues. One driver suffered from a range of electrical issues that prevented the windows, gas cap, and hood from releasing at different times. Another reported the engine failed after only 49,000 miles, while another failed to maintain battery charge.

Again, these are localized cases that are the exception rather than the rule with this model, with most drivers praising just how bulletproof the car has been during their ownership.

The 1997 Avalon Is Another Durable Version Of The Model

For some gearheads, the $15,000+ outlay needed to secure a 2017 Avalon might be a stretch too far. Don’t fear though, as the 1997 version of the model is significantly cheaper, and in many ways even more reliable than its more modern counterpart. While there is an argument it could be placed above the 2017 version, its age means it’s inherently less safe than the 2017 model.

This makes the 2017 version more viable for most, being it’s well under a decade old. That said, considering KBB values the range-topping XLS at just $2,521, the 1997 version proves a tempting choice.

It gets a strong 4.8/5-star reliability rating from 341 reviews on KBB, with a massive 84% of these being five stars. Just 3% of these reviews were at three stars or less, illustrating just how trusty the model proved to be in everyday life. This is further bolstered by RepairPal, which reports that a good example should cost around $463 a year to maintain.

Steering Issues The Focus Of Most 1997 Avalon Complaints

In more good news, the 1997 Avalon has been subjected to only one recall during its history. A total of 18,746 cars were affected by a faulty brake vacuum hose, which reduced braking power should it fail. The recall was issued in September 1997, so the problem should have been rectified on all cars by now. If buying used, it never hurts to check though.

As far as complaints go, 132 have been leveled against the model since 1997. The steering system has been the subject of most of these, with 41 being filed to be exact. A leaking power steering rack tended to be the most common issue, as the system would fail once the fluid had fully leaked away. A total of 26 drivers complained about problems with their Avalons suspension, though most of these tended to cover things such as rust, which will kill any car if not taken care of, and general wear after well over a decade of use.

For well under $3,000, the 1997 Avalon is a good option for those looking for a cheap and durable mid-sized sedan.

Sources:
Toyota
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Kelley Blue Book
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RepairPal
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J.D Power
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NHTSA