Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags and acceleration and cruise control. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2021 Toyota Avalon: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Toyota Avalon. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cylGas | AWD | 28 mpg |
| 3.5L 6-cylGas | FWD | 26 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cylHybrid | FWD | 44 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Toyota Avalon, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The front passenger airbag may not detect an occupant, and some owners see the airbag warning light come on intermittently. Most complaints are about a repair for the passenger seat occupant classification sensor that dealers cannot complete because parts are unavailable. Some owners say they have waited more than a year. Their concern is that the airbag may not deploy properly in a crash. A few reports say the seat fails to detect adults or children, and one describes a rear middle seat belt chime sounding with nobody in the seat. Most of these owners have not had a failure themselves.
Cruise control stops working while driving. Sometimes a message says radar cruise is not available, and sometimes every dashboard warning light comes on. In one report, a new brake switch did not fix the problem and the next diagnosis was a wiring harness. A separate complaint says the car would not accelerate and stalled at about 35 mph near 15,000 miles. It ran normally after a restart, showed no warning lights, and the dealer did not diagnose it. A stall in traffic carries crash risk.
Excerpts from complaints Avalon owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Dec 20,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number23TB15 NHTSA Recall Number23V865 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available When will this be resolved? Can Toyota inspect my vehicle now?
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
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.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
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
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks third for owner complaints among 5 Avalon years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the third model year of the Avalon's fifth generation (2019–2023).
Toyota updated the Avalon for 2022, so a 2021 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2021)
Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
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.
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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Toyota Avalon, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
