Toyota · Avalon · 2021
2021 Toyota Avalon
2
Recalls
21
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 2 recalls and 21 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (11 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 29, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Toyota Avalon page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 11 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Toyota Avalon currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 21 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are air bags (11), vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance (2), tires (1).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Toyota Avalon
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 21
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V865000December 20, 2023
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Remedy Status
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 mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
NHTSA ID: 20V734000November 25, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
21 totalAIR BAGS
Aug 5, 2025
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
May 1, 2025
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 t...
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AIR BAGS
Apr 15, 2025
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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the reca...
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AIR BAGS
Mar 8, 2025
SAFETY DEFECT IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NOT REMEDIED IN OVER ONE YEAR. TOYOTA IS CLEARLY NOT GOING TO FIX SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT WILL COST MORE TO REMEDY THAN THE COST OF DEATHS AND INJURIES.
AIR BAGS
Feb 17, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
ENGINE
Dec 1, 2024
While driving our 2021 Avalon on a busy interstate,the engine failed on us unexpectantly. This cathostrophic failure without warning startled my finance and ruined xmas holidays. The car was towed to a local Toyota dealership who diagnosed the issue as low oil pressure which prev...
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AIR BAGS
Oct 29, 2024
Dec 20,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number23TB15 NHTSA Recall Number23V865 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available When will this be resolved? Can Toyota inspect my vehicle now?
AIR BAGS
Oct 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reaso...
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AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Oct 7, 2024
SEATS ARE NOT REGISTERING FOR AIR BAG AND THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF SAYING TO PUT SEAT BELT ON, BUT NO ONE IS SITTING IN BACK SEAT. SO WHILE I'M DRIVING I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND PLUG SEAT BELT IN TO GET THE SEATBELT WARNING SOUND TO STOP. THE SEATBELT IS NOT REGISTE...
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AIR BAGS
Jul 22, 2024
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 manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the reca...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 21 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Toyota models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Toyota Avalon Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Avalon have?
The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has received 21 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Toyota Avalon.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Toyota Avalon?
The 2021 Toyota Avalon received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Avalon?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Toyota Avalon are air bags (11 reports), vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance (2 reports), tires (1 reports).
Does the 2021 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2021 Toyota Avalon. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.