2020 Toyota Avalon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2020 Toyota Avalon has a complaint index of 6, ranking 17th worst out of 18 model years, and earns a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 10 complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash tied to this model year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 6/100
- #17 of 18 Avalon years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 10
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 31.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 1
Top 2020 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System5 (50%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (20%)
- Airbags1 (10%)
- Brakes1 (10%)
- Engine1 (10%)
- Steering1 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (10%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the fuel pump stalling or losing pressure while driving, tied to a recall for the low pressure fuel pump.
- Multiple owners describe fuel gushing out of the tank or backing up during refueling when the pump kicks off early.
- One owner reported the sunroof shattering at 60 mph with no object striking it, at 8,937 miles.
- One owner described the adaptive braking system suddenly and incorrectly braking on the highway, creating a collision risk.
- One owner found a loose left outer tie rod end causing clunking noise and play in the steering at low speeds.
2020 Toyota Avalon recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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 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 20V734000Nov 25, 2020Steering161 vehicles
Steering:column
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
2020 Toyota Avalon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Avalon has a complaint index of 6, the second-lowest among 18 model years tracked, giving it a Best verdict relative to other Avalon years.
- What are the main problems with the 2020 Toyota Avalon?
- NHTSA complaints show the top problem area is the fuel system, accounting for 5 of 10 complaints, mostly tied to a low-pressure fuel pump recall. Other reported areas include collision avoidance cameras, airbags, brakes, engine, steering, and visibility.
- Does the 2020 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Avalon covering airbags, steering column breakaway pins, and the fuel pump assembly. None of these recalls are do-not-drive campaigns.
- How does the 2020 Avalon compare to other Avalon model years?
- The 2020 Avalon ranks 17th worst out of 18 model years by complaint index, well below years like 2006 (complaint index 100, Avoid verdict) and close to 2021 and 2022, which also carry Best verdicts.
- What mileage do 2020 Avalon fuel system problems show up at?
- The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints is 2,950 miles, and the overall median mileage at failure across all complaints is 4,000 miles.