2012 Toyota Avalon — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Toyota Avalon is a saloon/sedan powered by a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Toyota Avalon workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Toyota Avalon: Fuel economy slips from 28 to 26 mpg (UK) combined on the most efficient configuration. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 107 cu ft (3,030 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 14 cu ft (396 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 23 urban / 34 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 19 city / 28 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 251 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,050 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Toyota Avalon, all with the 3.5L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/28) | 251 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 107 cubic feet (about 3,030 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Toyota Avalon
Running Costs: 2012 Toyota Avalon
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Toyota Avalon at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Toyota Avalon Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Toyota Avalon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Electrical system (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 20V024000, reported 17 January 2020. Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
- Air bags — campaign 18V569000, reported 29 August 2018. Risk: If the seat belt is falsely interpreted as being buckled, in the event of a crash, the air bags may not deploy appropriately, increasing the risk of injury.
- Electrical system — campaign 15V047000, reported 28 January 2015. Risk: A constant electrical current flow may cause the sub-woofer to overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
- Electrical system — campaign 13V442000, reported 17 October 2013. Risk: A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can…
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Avalon. The most-reported areas are Structure (6), Air bags (6), Electrical system (4). Complaints include 8 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 6 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 30 complaints across the 13 Toyota Avalon model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Toyota Avalon
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (2 recall campaigns · 6 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Electrical system (2 recall campaigns · 4 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Body structure (6 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Throttle & cruise control (4 owner complaints) — Check throttle response and cruise control are smooth, and ask about any software or throttle recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Toyota models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Toyota Avalon's 26 mpg is 8 mpg below that make average. Its 251 g/km CO₂ figure is 35 g/km higher than the 216 g/km Toyota average.
Of the 13 Toyota Avalon model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 13th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (26 mpg UK combined, against a high of 34 mpg). See every Toyota Avalon year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Toyota Avalon
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have?
It's fitted with a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Toyota Avalon?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Toyota Avalon cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Toyota Avalon (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (2), Electrical system (2). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Avalon?
Among the 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Structure (6 complaints), Air bags (6 complaints), Electrical system (4 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Toyota Avalon have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 107 cubic feet (about 3,030 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.