NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Toyota Avalon Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 21 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.
NHTSA also files the 2021 Toyota Avalon separately as Avalon Hybrid — 1 recall campaign.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Toyota Avalon, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Toyota Avalon owner complaints
Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Avalon, describing incidents dated October 1, 2020 to August 5, 2025.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 12 complaints
- Engine 4 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 3 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 2 complaints
- Service Brakes 2 complaints
- Back Over Prevention 1 complaint
Of the 21 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11730274 · Filed
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…
ODI #11699477 · Filed
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…
ODI #11678629 · Filed
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.
OCS Sensors May Short Circuit
NHTSA #23V865000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice
Reported December 20, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Potentially affected: 999,901 vehicles
Repair completion: 61.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Toyota campaign 23TA15, 23LA03 · Owners notified October 31, 2024
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Steering Column Damage Affects Air Bag Performance
NHTSA #20V734000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice
Reported November 25, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Potentially affected: 161 vehicles
Repair completion: 98.14% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Toyota campaign 20TB17/20TA17 · Owners notified December 18, 2020
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Toyota Avalon model years
Check your 2021 Toyota Avalon VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Avalon at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Toyota VIN