The 2021 Toyota Avalon is associated with 27 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Air Bags, accounting for 17 reports (63% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.5l 6-cyl, 2.5l 4-cyl, and 2.5L 4-Cyl hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 25 to 44 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 27 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Air Bags (17 / 63%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 0 fire / 0 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 25–44 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Avalon XLE | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 MPG | 32 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Avalon | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Avalon TRD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Avalon AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 25 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Avalon Hybrid XLE Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 43 MPG | 44 MPG | 44 MPG | — | $1,400 / yr |
| Avalon Hybrid Hybrid | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 43 MPG | 43 MPG | 43 MPG | — | $1,450 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.5% |
| HYBRID 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.5% |
| 4 DR AWD | | | | | 10.5% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Toyota Avalon models.
View complete 2021 Toyota Avalon crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 Toyota Avalon problems & component breakdown (10 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Defect Summary: 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.
Free 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.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Defect Summary: 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."
Free 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.
View all 2021 Toyota Avalon recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →