Severe Issues

2021 TOYOTA AVALON Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Avalon. This model year has 21 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.

21
Complaints
1
Crashes
β€”
Fires
β€”
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
2
Recalls

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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2021 Toyota Avalon Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
12
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

#2
4
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:1
#3
3
complaints

Unintended Acceleration

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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Toyota Avalon. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Airbag Malfunctions12β€”β€”β€”
Engine Problems41β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration3β€”β€”β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB2β€”β€”β€”
Brake System2β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain1β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Electrical Faults11β€”β€”
Back Over Prevention1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Avalon. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 21 most recent complaints

Airbag MalfunctionsApr 9, 2026

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 corpora…

Airbag MalfunctionsNov 14, 2025

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 de…

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 5, 2025

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.

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 4, 2025

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…

Unintended AccelerationMay 7, 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 t…

Airbag MalfunctionsApr 15, 2025

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 reca…

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 8, 2025

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.

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 6, 2025

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsFeb 25, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

Engine ProblemsJan 9, 2025

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 prev…

Airbag MalfunctionsNov 18, 2024

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 REGISTE…

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 29, 2024

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?

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 11, 2024

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 reaso…

Airbag MalfunctionsJul 22, 2024

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 reca…

Unintended AccelerationFeb 6, 2023

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…

Unintended AccelerationOct 18, 2022

Stopped working with a message ' radar control in not available'

Transmission / DrivetrainAug 18, 2022

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 clo…

Tire IssuesMay 17, 2022

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 Deal…

Electrical FaultsπŸ’₯ CrashMar 15, 2022

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, …

Back Over PreventionJan 26, 2022

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 se…

Page 1 of 2

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Toyota Avalon.

Recalls for 2021 Toyota Avalon

2 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Toyota Avalon. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

20V734000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

23V865000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

2021 Toyota Avalon β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Toyota Avalon reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 21 NHTSA owner complaints, 1 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (12 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Avalon?β–Ύ

#1: Airbag Malfunctions (12 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (4 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (3 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Toyota Avalon?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2021 Toyota Avalon?β–Ύ

The 2021 Toyota Avalon has 1 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 21 total NHTSA complaints. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2021 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Toyota Avalon. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Avalon?β–Ύ

The 2021 Toyota Avalon has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Avalon reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2021 Toyota Avalon

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.