Toyota · Avalon · 2021
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 22, 2026
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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 recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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.
See attached document for complaint.
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 prevented oil reaching the top engine ultimately collapsing the rocker arm. Oddly enough the technician shared it was not low on oil nor were there any signs of le. We were informed the engine must be replaced. We purchased the vehicle with 56K and just hit 69K. We've been responsible with routine maintenance and have service reports to support services performed from the original owner and us. When contacting Toyota to report the issue, the advocates and resolution team did not offer any service campaigns or good will programs to cover any out of pocket expenses. They acted as if we should hold the dealership who sold us the car liable ignoring any possibility of a defective engine. There is NO good reason why any engine with only 69k miles should fail this sudden. There are similar reports of class action suits currently against Toyota on other engines and they ignore all accounts of owning any portion of the repair due to the car not being sold from a Toyota dealership and being over the 60k power train warranty. Regardless of the warranty the manufacturer name is on the vehicle and all accounts of this issue are indicators of a defect. Our voices may have not be strong enough for them to make us whole at this moment. Not only was this a dangerous situation for my family, but the expenses to replace the engine in such a short time is ridiculous. A company with such a high reputation not to mention high revenue and EBITA should not ignore the voice of the customer. My hope is other customers unite and voice any similar concern similar to ours. This experience has changed my mind how much I value Toyota.There are core principles & expectations car manufacturers should stand by.
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?
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 reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 REGISTERING IN THE BACK SEAT AND THE FRONT SEAT IS NOT REGISTERING SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE FOR THE AIRBAG. IT DOESN'T REGISTER MY GRANDSON OR MY SON, WHICH IS DANGEROUS. KIDS ARE INVOLVED.
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 recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I am writing to formally express my deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding the unresolved airbag recall on my 2021 Toyota Avalon. It has now been over a year since this recall was issued, and despite my repeated efforts to resolve the issue, Toyota has yet to provide a viable solution. This delay has left me feeling unsafe, not only for myself but also for my [XXX] and [XXX] children. The safety of my family is at risk, and I can no longer accept this situation. For more than a year, I have been forced to use a loaner vehicle, which is both financially draining and time-consuming. This has caused significant disruptions in my personal and professional life, taking time away from my work and family. It is unacceptable that I have had to continue using a loaner vehicle for this extended period, especially when the issue remains unresolved. Furthermore, my attempts to resolve this matter with Toyota have been met with rude and unhelpful responses from your service agencies. The lack of support and professionalism has only intensified my frustration. Given that it has been over a year without any solution, I no longer find it acceptable to simply wait for a fix that may or may not come in a timely manner. At this point, I am requesting that my 2021 Toyota Avalon be replaced immediately. The ongoing delay and lack of resolution have made it clear that repairing the vehicle is no longer a satisfactory solution. The safety of my family is my top priority, and I demand a prompt and appropriate resolution to this matter. Please consider this an urgent request for action. I expect a response and a clear plan of action within the next [reasonable timeframe, e.g., 5 business days]. If this matter is not resolved, I will be forced to explore further actions, including seeking legal counsel. Thank you for your immediate attention to this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
We have received a recall for the sensors and airbag on our car back in December of 2023. Every time we call the dealership they tell us they can't get a send because the parts are not available. I cannot seem to get any movement with this. I've tried to contacting Toyota corporate but their website leaves much to be desired to contact anybody about this. So I am here asking for you to help me. I think waiting for over 2 years for a safety recall is beyond reasonable. We need to find some remedies.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was submitted. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
Stopped working with a message ' radar control in not available'
Bridgestone Turanza EL440BW 235 45R18 94V is original equipment on my 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. Mileage at the time of the incident was 11398. I saw what appeared to be splitting or separation of the lower depth of the tread. No loss of pressure. I brought it to the Toyota Dealer to check. They insisted I must have hit something and would not consider it a manufactures warranty. I replaced the tire out of safety concerns. I do not recall hitting or going over anything. I am attaching photos of the condition. I replaced the one tire with the same make and model but remain concerned that splitting of the tread could be dangerous. And still have 4 like tires on the car.
The Rear Cross Traffic Warning signal is installed behind rear head rest, which muffles the alert sound to barely audible, even when setting is on high. Vanandergriff Toyota dealership in Arlington, Tx., verified this information to me after bringing my car in four times for service because I was not being warned of persons and vehicles passing behind me. I've called Toyota's home office and told nothing can be done, as it was installed this way, although I am still asking they remove muffling material or change location of warning equipment. It is very dangerous, as persons and cars are not always visible due to parking location or blind spots. This should be a recall item. All other warning signals on front of car work properly. I was told by company representative to just use drive-through parking! Consumer contacted Toyota customer service and the dealership in Arlington, Tx. where it was purchased. Consumer was told nothing can be done to fix the problem.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while diving approximately 50 MPH, the engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the windshield had detached from the frame. The contact stated that the rear doors were failing to close correctly. The contact stated the vehicle would roll with the brake pedal depressed before coming to a stop. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the steering wheel fractured and the air bags inadvertently deployed. Additionally, the headlamps and turn signals also failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who stated that front door master switch, the pillar and racket, the brakes, the headlamps, and turn signals needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,500.
ON EVERY AVALON 2021 I HAVE DRIVEN OR THE DEALERSHIP HAS DRIVEN THERE IS A THUNK WHEN BRAKING. EVERY CAR EVERY TIME. A TECH CASE WAS OPENED AT WESLEY CHAPEL TOYOTA AND TOYOTA OF TAMPA BAY 01- 21-2021 NEW CAR WAS PURCHASED 01-13-2021
Showing 1–20 of 21 complaints
The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 21 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Toyota Avalon.
The 2021 Toyota Avalon received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Toyota Avalon are air bags (11 reports), vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance (2 reports), service brakes (1 reports).
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.
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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.