2020 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
8/100
#12 most-complained of 13 Avalon years
The 2020 Toyota Avalon has a complaint index of 8, the second-lowest among 13 model years, and carries a 'Best' verdict. It has 10 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no fires, with fuel system issues being the top concern.
- Complaints
- 10
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2020 Toyota Avalon problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Fuel gushes out of the tank while refueling when the pump kicks off, sometimes only allowing a small amount of gas in before it stops.
- Adaptive braking system suddenly and incorrectly triggers hard braking on the highway with no obstacle ahead, creating a collision risk from behind.
- A loose left outer tie rod causes a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, raising concern about loss of steering control.
- The panoramic sunroof shattered while driving at highway speed with no object striking it.
- Owners report the low-pressure fuel pump issue tied to a recall, with concern the vehicle could stall while driving.
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 ranks among the better years for this model, with a complaint index of 8 and only 10 complaints logged.
- What problems does the 2020 Toyota Avalon have?
- The top reported issue is the fuel system, accounting for half of all complaints, including fuel pump defects and fuel spraying out during refueling. Other reported areas include collision avoidance cameras, airbags, brakes, engine, steering, and a sunroof shattering incident.
- Does the 2020 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Avalon covering airbags, steering column breakaway pins, and a fuel pump assembly replacement. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Avalon compare to other model years?
- The 2020 Avalon has a complaint index of 8, ranking 12th out of 13 model years from worst to best, putting it in the 'Best' category compared to years like 2013 and 2011 which are rated 'Avoid'.