2021 Toyota Avalon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (11) · Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 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 (2)
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.
Service bulletins (170)
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.
Engine 2026-02-27 · T-SB-0104-21 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 27, 2026: this bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 170 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-09 · Air Bags“we have received a recall for the sensors and airbag on our car back in december of 2023. every time we call the dealership they tell us they can't get a send because the parts are not available. i cannot seem to get any movement with this. i've tried to contacting toyota corporate but their website leaves much to be desired to contact anybody abou…”
2025-11-14 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota avalon. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had excee…”
2025-08-05 · Air Bags“there is no remedy available to fix the ocs sensor in front passenger seat of our 2021 toyota avalon. we are scared to drive it. what are our options since toyota will not help.…”
2025-08-04 · Air Bags“my vehicle is under safety recall 23v865 (toyota dealer reference 23tb15) due to potentially defective occupant classification system (ocs) sensors in the front passenger seat, which may prevent the airbag from deploying properly. the recall was issued in december 2023, and as of august 2025, there is still no available remedy. toyota originally es…”
2025-05-07 · Vehicle Speed Control“cruise control stopped working while driving interstate speed. would not work and all lights on dashboard came on . proceeded to nearest dealership and was informed that i needed a brake switch. did not fix the problem. have been informed that i need a wiring harness! about to spend a total of 400.00…”
2025-04-15 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2021 toyota avalon. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v865000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that p…”
2025-03-08 · Air Bags“safety defect in front passenger seat not remedied in over one year. toyota is clearly not going to fix safety problem as it will cost more to remedy than the cost of deaths and injuries.…”
2025-03-06 · Air Bags“i am writing to formally express my deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding the unresolved airbag recall on my 2021 toyota avalon. it has now been over a year since this recall was issued, and despite my repeated efforts to resolve the issue, toyota has yet to provide a viable solution. this delay has left me feeling unsafe, not only for myself …”
2025-02-25 · Air Bags“see attached document for complaint. …”
2025-01-09 · Engine“while driving our 2021 avalon on a busy interstate,the engine failed on us unexpectantly. this cathostrophic failure without warning startled my finance and ruined xmas holidays. the car was towed to a local toyota dealership who diagnosed the issue as low oil pressure which prevented oil reaching the top engine ultimately collapsing the rocker arm…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.