2021 TOYOTA AVALON — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
28
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
11
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON
The 2021 TOYOTA AVALON has received a total of 28 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. 11 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (11 complaints), Engine (4 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Control (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON, potentially affecting up to 2,000,446 vehicles.
Recall 23V865000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 999,901 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be...
View full details →Recall 23V865000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 999,901 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be...
View full details →Recall 20V734000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 161 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such,...
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
View full details →Recall 20V734000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 161 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such,...
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
View full details →Recall 20V734000 — STEERING:COLUMN
| 161 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such,...
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
View full details →Recall 20V734000 — STEERING:COLUMN
| 161 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such,...
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON
28 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
There is no remedy available to fix the OCS sensor in front passenger seat of our 2021 Toyota Avalon. We are scared to drive it. What are our options since Toyota will not help.
My vehicle is under Safety Recall 23V865 (Toyota dealer reference 23TB15) due to potentially defective Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat, which may prevent the airbag from deploying properly. The recall was issued in December 2023, and as of August 2025, there is still no available remedy. Toyota originally estimated a fix by Q3 of 2024, but it is now overdue. This unresolved issue puts passenger safety at risk in the event of a crash. I have contacted dealerships and checked for updates, but no solution has been provided. I believe this delay is unacceptable for a critical safety defect and request NHTSA to investigate the remedy timeline and pressure Toyota to provide a fix or alternative solution.
Cruise control stopped working while driving interstate speed. Would not work and all lights on dashboard came on . Proceeded to Nearest dealership and was informed that I needed a brake switch. Did not fix the problem. Have been informed that I need a wiring harness! About to spend a total of 400.00
Cruise control stopped working while driving interstate speed. Would not work and all lights on dashboard came on . Proceeded to Nearest dealership and was informed that I needed a brake switch. Did not fix the problem. Have been informed that I need a wiring harness! About to spend a total of 400.00
Safety Rating for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON
The 2021 TOYOTA AVALON received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 11 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
LSB006523 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
TT: Engine Oil Leak between the Lower Oil Pan and Crank Case
T-SB-0005-24 Rev1 — ENGINE
Some 2021 model year Avalon, 2020 – 2022 model year Camry, and 2019 – 2022 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS engine may exhibit reduced engine power and/or a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following throttle body Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present in freezing...
T-SB-0034-21 — TIRES
TSB During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the...
T-SB-0095-20 Rev — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
TSB: Some 2020 model year Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla Hatchback, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B15A804 is present in current or history. ?Red SOS LED stays on after bulb check. ?Toyota App does not accept the activation...
T-SB-0110-20 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing an at battery rescue charge on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing the battery rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the...
T-TT-0629-20 — COMMUNICATION
TT: Some 2020 ? 2021 model year C-HR, RAV4, RAV4 HV, Sequoia, Tundra and 2021 model year Avalon, Avalon HV, Prius, Prius Prime, and RAV4 Prime vehicles may exhibit inoperative Apple CarPlay® with only iPhone® 12 devices (iPhone® 12, iPhone® 12 Max, iPhone® 12 Pro, or iPhone® 12 Pro Max).
T-SB-0075-20 — EQUIPMENT
TSB: Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: ?Careful inspection for paint chips/scratches and body dents/dings. ?Proper operation of electrical accessories (including interior light, clock, and radio reset). ?Interior cleanliness. ?Proper function...
T-SB-0075-20 — STRUCTURE
TSB: Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: ?Careful inspection for paint chips/scratches and body dents/dings. ?Proper operation of electrical accessories (including interior light, clock, and radio reset). ?Interior cleanliness. ?Proper function...
T-SB-0075-20 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TSB: Pre-Delivery Service (PDS) is a critical step in satisfying our new car customers. Customer feedback indicates the following areas deserve special attention when performing PDS: ?Careful inspection for paint chips/scratches and body dents/dings. ?Proper operation of electrical accessories (including interior light, clock, and radio reset). ?Interior cleanliness. ?Proper function...
T-SB-0027-20 Rev — STRUCTURE
TSB: TMNA Accessory Sales and Marketing has developed a Toyota paint protection film (PPF) decal (treated with a specially developed light adhesive) for 2021 model year Toyota vehicles. The decal comes in two sizes (2.8 in. x 8 in. and 4 in. x 8 in.) for small and large hoods...
Showing 10 of 11 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the TOYOTA AVALON
- 2016 TOYOTA AVALON — 33 complaints
- 2017 TOYOTA AVALON — 17 complaints
- 2018 TOYOTA AVALON — 31 complaints
- 2019 TOYOTA AVALON — 88 complaints
- 2020 TOYOTA AVALON — 13 complaints
- 2021 TOYOTA AVALON (current)
- 2022 TOYOTA AVALON — 10 complaints
Other TOYOTA Models
- TOYOTA CAMRY — 23,209 total complaints
- TOYOTA PRIUS — 15,411 total complaints
- TOYOTA COROLLA — 14,342 total complaints
- TOYOTA RAV4 — 11,737 total complaints
- TOYOTA SIENNA — 10,769 total complaints
- TOYOTA TACOMA — 10,512 total complaints
- TOYOTA TUNDRA — 8,997 total complaints
- TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 6,663 total complaints