2020 Toyota Avalon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (5) · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (1) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Avalon model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2023-12-20 · campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2020-11-25 · campaign 20V734000 · 161 vehicles
Defect: 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, "Oc
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2020-11-04 · campaign 20V682000 · 1,525,742 vehicles
Defect: 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 I
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Service bulletins (192)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-08-11 · 24TE04 · Warranty Program/Extension
although the flow shut-off valve is covered by toyota’s new vehicle limited warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to flow shut-off valve coolant leak.
Electrical System 2026-01-30 · T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice january 30, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0001-26.
Electrical System 2026-01-28 · T-SB-0001-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2018 – 2024 model year toyota vehicles equipped with a premium audio with dynamic navigation system require a special service tool (sst) usb flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Engine 2025-08-07 · 24TE04 · Service Campaign
the specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. this can cause "engine maintenance required" to be displayed on the instrument cluster or cause the a/c not to f
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Showing the 6 most recent of 192 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-12-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System“a couple of months ago, my car started running a little rough as it would sit in idle mode. when suddenly my check engine light came on. i checked the codes and they seemed to be p0445 evaporitive emission system leak detected (large leak). and p0441 evaporative emission system. incorrect purge flow. p0505 idle control system. and p0171 system to…”
2024-11-18 · Air Bags“to whom it may concern, i am filing this complaint to report right toyota in scottsdale, arizona, and toyota motor corporation for their mishandling of a critical airbag safety recall (23ta15) on my 2020 toyota avalon hybrid. the lack of transparency, misleading information, and failure to provide a remedy has left me with a vehicle that is unsafe…”
2024-07-15 · Steering“tie rod loose i heard a clunking noise while turning the steering wheel to the left at very low speeds. took car in for service service mechanic found left outer tie rod end "with play, loose" safety issue: potential loss of steering ability while driving vehicle has been inspected and repaired - (my cost $1308.94) - images attached no warning mess…”
2023-11-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System“when refueling vehicle, gasoline backs up immediately, doesn't shut off gas hose and pours out all over vehicle and feet of person refueling. today is the 4th time it's happened. it's been to gettle toyota of lakewood in bradenton fl for this exact complaint and was told there's nothing wrong with the vehicle. …”
2022-07-31 · Vehicle Speed Control“on 3 lane expressway (us422)about 1/4 mile from where the lanes split( see attached). no cars in front of me but cars in the lane to my left slowed. my car suddenly braked causing the car behind me to swerve to my right to avoid a collision. the adaptive breaking (incorrectly) determined that there was a collision hazard, thus creating an actual…”
2021-12-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“this has happened 3 times now. when putting gas in and the pump kicks off fuel gushes out of the tank. i only had a quarter of a tank at the time. only got $1 worth in the last time this happened. if you try to put more fuel in pump will kick off then it just pushes fuel out all over the ground, which could easily cause a fire. took to the dealer t…”
2021-07-28 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“i represent the family of a fatally injured rollaway victim. it is on their behalf i am reporting the circumstances of this incident and to strongly urge that nhtsa update the rollaway requirements specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard 114. on august 22, 2020, it is believed that while attempting to retrieve the key fob, the driver in…”
2021-05-13 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 8,937 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2020 toyota avalon. the contact stated while driving at 60 mph, when the sunroof shattered without any object causing the impact. the vehicle was taken to local dealer heritage toyota owings mills (9801 reisterstown rd, owings mills, md 21117: (844) 202-9429), where it was diagnosed that the sunroof needed to be replaced. the…”
2021-05-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 4,000 mi“on october 28, 2020, toyota announced it was conducting a safety recall involving certain toyota and lexus vehicles produced between july 2017 through december 2019 due to the same fuel pump issue for which they announced a safety recall in january 2020. the referenced vehicle door sticker shows a production date of 12/19, which is within the prod…”
2021-02-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,900 mi“recall# 20v-682,if a vehicle stalls while driving,this could increase the risk of a crash.toyota is talking about the recall for a low pressure fuel pump which may stop operating.this is a serious safety condition which could endanger the lives of my family and myself.this condition has been reported to me in november 2020 with no remedy in sight.a…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.