2021 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
17/100
#11 most-complained of 13 Avalon years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Toyota Avalon ranks 11th of 13 model years with a complaint index of 17, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other Avalon years. It has 21 complaints, 2 recalls, and no fires or deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 21
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2021 Toyota Avalon problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Airbag warning lights stay illuminated and seat-belt or seat-occupancy sensors fail to register passengers, sometimes triggering false seatbelt alarms.
- Owners waiting on the 2023 airbag sensor recall report dealers cannot get replacement parts, leaving the repair delayed for extended periods.
- Instrument panel lights illuminate together with reports of moisture in the brake assembly, sensor harness, and hybrid sensor components, in one case at 800 miles.
- Engine stalls or fails to accelerate properly while driving at highway speed, in one instance around 35 MPH.
- A thunk noise occurs when braking, reported by multiple owners and dealership technicians on a car with only 20 miles at the time.
- Cruise control stops working with dashboard warning lights on, with dealers pointing to a brake switch or wiring harness issue.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Avalon has a complaint index of 17, the second-best of the 13 Avalon model years, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2021 Toyota Avalon have?
- NHTSA lists 21 complaints for the 2021 Avalon, led by airbags (57% of complaints) and engine issues (29%), including one crash tied to an engine complaint.
- Does the 2021 Toyota Avalon have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: campaign 23V865000 for an airbag sensor issue and campaign 20V734000 for a steering column breakaway pin defect. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What year Toyota Avalon should I avoid?
- Among Avalon years, 2013 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2011 at 92 and 2014 at 83, all rated "Avoid." The 2021 model is rated "Best" by comparison.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Avalon airbags?
- NHTSA lists 12 airbag-related complaints for the 2021 Avalon, accounting for 57% of all complaints for that model year, with no crashes or fires tied to that component.