2021 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls & Reliability

29 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Toyota Avalon, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 4/100 on the trouble index — too lightly reported for a fair score. Airbags leads the reports.

29Complaints
4/100Trouble index
2Recalls

Few reports

Where 2021 sits among all Avalon years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Airbags 12 complaints (41%)
Driver assistance 4 complaints (14%)
Engine 4 complaints (14%)
Speed control 3 complaints (10%)
Brakes & stability 2 complaints (7%)
Electrical 1 complaints (3%)

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS 23V865000 2023

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…

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…

AIR BAGS 20V734000 2020

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,…

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…

Technical service bulletins

169 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2021 Toyota Avalon. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2021 Avalon TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2021peak 11 in 20252026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon reliable?

The 2021 Toyota Avalon drew 29 complaints in federal safety records — too lightly reported for a fair score. Its trouble index is 4/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).

What are the most common 2021 Toyota Avalon problems?

The top reported problems for the 2021 Toyota Avalon are airbags (12 complaints), driver assistance (4), and engine (4).

Does the 2021 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

2 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.