RecallRepo

2021 Toyota Avalon Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,000,062 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 23V865000 2023-12-20 999,901 affected
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…

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

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…

AIR BAGS 20V734000 2020-11-25 161 affected
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…

Consequence

In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

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.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
12
ENGINE
4
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1
1crashes
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
SEAT BELTS
1
Total complaints29

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2025-08-05

“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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2025-05-01

“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…”

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL · reported 2025-05-01

“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…”

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · reported 2025-05-01

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2025-04-15

“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.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2025-03-08

“See attached document for complaint.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2025-02-17

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2024-12-01
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2021 Toyota Avalon as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.