2021 Toyota Avalon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 21 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 18, and ranks 15th worst out of 18 model years, earning a Best verdict. It has 2 recalls, one for airbag sensors and one for steering column pins, with no crashes, fires, or deaths tied to complaints beyond one crash report.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 18/100
- #15 of 18 Avalon years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 31.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2021 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags12 (57%)
- Engine6 (29%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (14%)
- Brakes2 (10%)
- Electrical System1 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbag sensors fail to register rear-seat occupants, triggering false seatbelt warnings and disabling airbag readiness.
- Owners with the airbag recall report long waits for replacement parts, with dealers unable to complete the repair.
- Some drivers hear a thunk or clunk sound when braking, reported shortly after purchase.
- A hybrid model experienced a hard stall and failure to accelerate at highway speed before restarting normally.
- One owner reported dashboard warning lights, brake assembly moisture, and multiple dealer visits to replace sensors and wiring.
- A tire showed tread separation at the sidewall with no pressure loss, noted at 11,398 miles.
2021 Toyota Avalon recalls
2 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.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- Yes, based on NHTSA data. It has a complaint index of 18, ranks 15th worst out of 18 model years, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Avalon years.
- Does the 2021 Toyota Avalon have a recall?
- Yes, two recalls: one for an airbag sensor issue (campaign 23V865000) and one for steering column breakaway pins (campaign 20V734000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the most common problem with the 2021 Toyota Avalon?
- Airbags are the top complaint area, making up 57% of complaints, mostly tied to the sensor recall. Engine complaints follow at 29%, with a median failure mileage of 1,650 miles overall for the year.
- Was anyone hurt in 2021 Avalon complaints?
- NHTSA data shows one crash linked to complaints, but no fires, injuries, or deaths reported for this model year.
- How does the 2021 Avalon compare to other Avalon years?
- It ranks 15th worst of 18 years with a complaint index of 18, well below high-complaint years like 2006 (index 100) and 2005 (index 82).