Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Impala or the Toyota Avalon?

The Toyota Avalon has more recalls (11) compared to the Chevrolet Impala (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Impala or the Toyota Avalon?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Impala has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.9 for the Toyota Avalon. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Impala or the Toyota Avalon?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Avalon is cheaper to maintain at $463/year versus $568/year for the Chevrolet Impala.

Is the Chevrolet Impala or Toyota Avalon safer?

Both the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Avalon: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Impala

Good

Toyota Avalon

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Impala and the Toyota Avalon? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Impala currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Toyota Avalon is in its fifth generation, which was last redesigned in 2019 and received a final facelift in 2022. This suggests the Avalon is in the mature phase of its generation cycle, often indicating that most initial issues have been resolved, contributing to overall reliability. In contrast, the Chevrolet Impala's tenth generation ended in 2020, following a redesign in 2014. This generation had a longer production run, indicating that it had time to refine any early issues. Buyers might find the Avalon’s more recent updates appealing, while the Impala's established platform could offer dependable performance.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Impala is more reliable than the Toyota Avalon, scoring 78/100 vs 75/100.

The Chevrolet Impala slightly outperforms the Toyota Avalon in reliability, with an average reliability score of 78 compared to Avalon's 75. The Impala also has a lower owner complaint rate of 9.1 per 10,000 sold, versus the Avalon's 11.9. However, the Avalon has more frequent recalls with 11 over five years, compared to the Impala's 2 in three years, although it benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $463 compared to the Impala's $568. Both vehicles share common issues in areas such as the electrical system and power train, but the Impala's lower complaint rate and recall history make it a slightly more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Toyota Avalon costs $105 less per year to repair
2Chevrolet Impala has 9 fewer total recalls
3Chevrolet Impala scores 3 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Chevrolet Impala

—

1Toyota Avalon

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Avalon: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Avalon at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Impala	Toyota Avalon
Reliability Score	78/100	75/100
Years Tracked	3	5
Total Recalls	2	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	9.1	11.9
Annual Repair Cost	$568/yr	$463/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2020 NHTSA	2022 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2 (1 tied)	0 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon?

The Toyota Avalon and Chevrolet Impala exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Avalon having a higher count of complaints at 131 compared to the Impala's 102. The Avalon shows significant issues in the fuel/propulsion system with 23 complaints, including 2 crash-linked incidents, whereas the Impala's most problematic area is the "unknown or other" category with 21 complaints. Both vehicles experience notable airbag issues, but the Impala has a higher severity with 6 crash-linked airbag complaints compared to the Avalon's 4. Additionally, the Impala's service brakes category is particularly concerning with all 4 complaints being crash-linked, highlighting a critical safety concern not mirrored in the Avalon's profile.

Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Avalon common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Impala	Toyota Avalon
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.9Low	1.1Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	1.4Low
AIR BAGS	1.1Low	1.5Low
POWER TRAIN	1.3Low	0.8Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	2.1Low
STEERING	1.2Low	0.4Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.6Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	—None
ENGINE	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.4Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.2Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Impala or Toyota Avalon?

Independent repair cost data reveals that the Toyota Avalon incurs an annual repair cost of $463, which is $105 less than the Chevrolet Impala's $568. Over five years, this amounts to a $525 savings with the Avalon. The Avalon has a higher repair frequency, needing 0.4 visits per year compared to the Impala’s 0.2 visits. However, both vehicles share the same 13% risk for major repairs. For cost-conscious buyers, the Avalon offers better value due to its lower annual repair costs, despite needing more frequent, likely minor, repairs.

How Does Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Avalon Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Avalon year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Impala	Toyota Avalon	Edge
2020	79/1000R / 15C	75/1003R / 10C	Chevrolet Impala
2019	79/1001R / 28C	69/1004R / 68C	Chevrolet Impala
2018	77/1001R / 59C	77/1002R / 24C	Tie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Chevrolet Impala scored 79/100 and the 2018 Toyota Avalon scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Impala vs the Toyota Avalon?

If you prioritize lower running costs and a more budget-friendly repair experience, the Toyota Avalon might be your best choice. With an estimated annual repair cost of $463 and a repair frequency of 0.4 times per year, it offers a slightly more economical maintenance profile. However, be aware of its higher number of recalls (11) and a slightly higher rate of owner complaints at 11.9 per 10,000 sold, which could indicate more frequent minor issues. On the other hand, if you value a higher reliability score and fewer recalls, consider the Chevrolet Impala. It boasts a reliability score of 78/100 and only 2 recalls, coupled with a lower owner complaint rate of 9.1 per 10,000 sold. While the estimated annual repair cost is higher at $568, the Impala's repair frequency is lower at 0.2 times per year, suggesting fewer trips to the mechanic. Choose the Impala if you want peace of mind with fewer reported issues.

Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Avalon: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Impala more reliable than the Toyota Avalon?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Impala is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Impala or the Toyota Avalon?: The Toyota Avalon has more recalls (11) compared to the Chevrolet Impala (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Impala or the Toyota Avalon?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Impala has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.9 for the Toyota Avalon. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Impala or the Toyota Avalon?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Avalon is cheaper to maintain at $463/year versus $568/year for the Chevrolet Impala.
Is the Chevrolet Impala or Toyota Avalon safer?: Both the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Chevrolet Impala comparisons

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More Toyota Avalon comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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