2021 Toyota Avalon Safety Report
2021 TOYOTA AVALON Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Toyota Avalon
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Toyota Avalon. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (20) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Toyota Avalon with 6 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Toyota Avalon before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Avalon Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Avalon years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Toyota Avalon | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota Avalon | 10 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Toyota Avalon | 64 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Toyota Avalon | 24 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Toyota Avalon | 14 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Toyota Avalon | 23 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Toyota Avalon Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Toyota Avalon, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyVehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Toyota onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Toyota onlyAir Bags,Seat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seat Belts issues Toyota onlyVehicle Speed Control,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Engine issues Toyota onlyPower Train,Service Brakes,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Service Brakes,Engine issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Toyota Avalon
Reliability Score
The 2021 Toyota Avalon receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Toyota Avalon
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Toyota Avalon
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Toyota Avalon:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant Classification System (Ocs) Defect Recalled due to potential defects in the OCS sensors, which may not accurately classify the occupants, leading to improper airbag deployment. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Sensor Defect Recalled due to potential defects in airbag sensors, which may not function correctly, leading to improper airbag deployment. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Failure Engine failures have been reported, causing unexpected vehicle shutdowns and safety concerns. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Cruise Control Malfunction Cruise control has stopped working unexpectedly, leading to potential safety hazards and inconvenience. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Toyota Avalon:
Issues with airbags and seatbelts have been reported, affecting safety and reliability.
Engine failures have been reported, causing unexpected shutdowns and safety concerns.
Cruise control malfunctions have been reported, leading to potential safety hazards.
Vehicle speed control issues have been reported, affecting driving safety.
Recall Details for the 2021 Toyota Avalon
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Toyota Avalon by NHTSA:
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.
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 customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Le...
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, "Oc...
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Toyota Avalon
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Toyota Avalon with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall rep...
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.
My vehicle is under Safety Recall 23V865 (Toyota dealer reference 23TB15) due to potentially defective Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors in the front passenger seat, which may prevent the airbag from deploying properly. The recall was issued in December 2023, and as of August 2025, there is still no available remedy. Toyota originally estimated a fix by Q3 of 2024, but it is now overdue...
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
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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was ...
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.
I am writing to formally express my deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding the unresolved airbag recall on my 2021 Toyota Avalon. It has now been over a year since this recall was issued, and despite my repeated efforts to resolve the issue, Toyota has yet to provide a viable solution. This delay has left me feeling unsafe, not only for myself but also for my [XXX] and [XXX] children. The sa...
See attached document for complaint.
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 the top engine ultimately collapsing the rocker arm. Oddly enough the technician shared it was not lo...
SEATS ARE NOT REGISTERING FOR AIR BAG AND THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF SAYING TO PUT SEAT BELT ON, BUT NO ONE IS SITTING IN BACK SEAT. SO WHILE I'M DRIVING I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND PLUG SEAT BELT IN TO GET THE SEATBELT WARNING SOUND TO STOP. THE SEATBELT IS NOT REGISTERING IN THE BACK SEAT AND THE FRONT SEAT IS NOT REGISTERING SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE FOR THE AIRBAG. IT DOESN'T REGISTER...
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?
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience...
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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was ...
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was submit...
Stopped working with a message ' radar control in not available'
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while diving approximately 50 MPH, the engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the windshield had detached from the frame. The contact stated that the rear doors were failing to close correctly. The contact stated the vehicle would roll with the brake pedal depressed before coming to a stop. While dr...
Bridgestone Turanza EL440BW 235 45R18 94V is original equipment on my 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. Mileage at the time of the incident was 11398. I saw what appeared to be splitting or separation of the lower depth of the tread. No loss of pressure. I brought it to the Toyota Dealer to check. They insisted I must have hit something and would not consider it a manufactures warranty. I replaced the t...
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon HV. The contact stated that while driving, all the instrument control panel lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer eight or nine times where it was diagnosed there was moisture in the brakes, the brake assembly, sensor harness, sensor in the grill, gear shifter, and hybrid sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Ho...
The Rear Cross Traffic Warning signal is installed behind rear head rest, which muffles the alert sound to barely audible, even when setting is on high. Vanandergriff Toyota dealership in Arlington, Tx., verified this information to me after bringing my car in four times for service because I was not being warned of persons and vehicles passing behind me. I've called Toyota's home office and to...
ON EVERY AVALON 2021 I HAVE DRIVEN OR THE DEALERSHIP HAS DRIVEN THERE IS A THUNK WHEN BRAKING. EVERY CAR EVERY TIME. A TECH CASE WAS OPENED AT WESLEY CHAPEL TOYOTA AND TOYOTA OF TAMPA BAY 01- 21-2021 NEW CAR WAS PURCHASED 01-13-2021
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Toyota Avalon
Has the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON have?
The 2021 TOYOTA AVALON has 20 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2021 TOYOTA AVALON received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON involve air bags (10 complaints), vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance (2 complaints), engine (1 complaints). Other affected components include air bags,seat belts, vehicle speed control,engine, power train,service brakes,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON out of 20 total complaints (5.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON.
Should I buy a 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON is generally recommended. It has 20 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON are: 1. AIR BAGS (10 complaints), 2. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints), 3. ENGINE (1 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS (1 complaints), 5. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE (1 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 10 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
Be cautious of the ongoing recalls related to the Occupant Classification System (OCS) and airbag sensors. Ensure your vehicle is up to date with recalls and consider additional safety measures. The 2021 TOYOTA AVALON has 20 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
The 2021 TOYOTA AVALON receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 20 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Occupant Classification System (OCS) Defect and Airbag Sensor Defect.
What are the known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON?
Known issues with the 2021 TOYOTA AVALON include: Occupant Classification System (OCS) Defect, Airbag Sensor Defect, Engine Failure, Cruise Control Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 20 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Toyota Avalon?
Yes, there are recalls related to the Occupant Classification System (OCS) and airbag sensors.
What should I do if my cruise control stops working?
Contact your local Toyota dealership for diagnosis and repair.
How can I check if my vehicle is affected by the OCS recall?
Check for a notification from Toyota or visit the NHTSA website for recall information.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the ongoing recalls related to the Occupant Classification System (OCS) and airbag sensors. Ensure your vehicle is up to date with recalls and consider additional safety measures.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Toyota Avalon
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Toyota Avalon. The data includes 20 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Toyota Avalon an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16