2021 Toyota Avalon Problems And Complaints

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Rating7.3

Ranked #2 in 

Fullsize Sedan
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$36,125 - $43,125
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2021 Toyota Avalon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recall and which year to avoid?

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

19

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating
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Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 7, 2024

Japanese manufacturers have been one of the leading players in the automobile market for manufacturing some of the best full-size sedans. The Avalon from Toyota retains the example of Japanese craftsmanship, known for low maintenance cost and maximum reliability. Available with a base market price of $36,375, the Avalon has got competitors like the Nissan Maxima with a starting price range of $34,400 and the Chrysler 300 with a base price of $37,100. Apart from these two, Avalon has also got the BMW 3 series too, with a slightly market value beginning from $41,450.

It did not take much time for Avalon to prove its market reputation, as the brand sold 19,460 units in 2021, forcing the Maxima to pace up its sales volume upto 16,386 units in the respective year. The vehicle could compete some of its rivals way better in the upcoming years. But the vehicles’ faulty airbag issue, rear doors malfunctions, turn-signal lights causing inconvenience to the buyers became a serious blockage for the Toyota. Prior to which, the users raised 6 complaints about the car’s reliability followed by which the brand had to issue a recall that has been registered in the NHTSA website for the particular year.

Electrical Problems

  • Faulty rear doors

Users have found that the rear doors of the vehicle stops functioning properly even after pressing the door control buttons. Rear doors may stop functioning properly when the faulty electrical circuit becomes unresponsive to activate the power windows by pressing the window door opening switch. The manufacturer needs to change the key fob and replace it with a newer one, soon.

  • Faulty turn-signal lights 

Users noticed that the turn-signal lights stop working all of a sudden while taking sharp turns on roads. Such instances might stop the driver from signaling the vehicles at the back or front to understand the car’s movement intention on traffic signals, triggering chances to trigger unwanted road accidents.

Mechanical and Engine Problems

  • Issue with the forward collision avoidance sensor

Faulty sensors stopping the forward collision avoidance system to detect any object on the front of your vehicle can be a serious issue while driving. Due to ineffective cruise control sometimes, the car’s speed can’t be controlled when the sensors stop working and refuse to detect any object coming from the front, increasing the chances to trigger a fatal crash. 

Miscellaneous Problems

  • Service brakes not working properly

Issue with the service brakes are a common problem in maximum Avalon models. A few users have noted unnecessary large chunk noise while pressing the brake pedal. Such sounds may pop up due to friction created on the braking discs. 

Structural Problems

  • Detachment of the Windshield mirror 

Structural issues like the detachment of the windshield mirrors is a common problems in Toyota sedans. The mirror windshield getting detached from the frame on the slightest jerk sometimes raises queries about the durability of the windshield quality and the structural integrity of the vehicle. Such instances may show up when the windshield joints get weak, compelling it to come out of the frame even on a minimum jerk.

2021 Toyota Avalon Recalls

S. No

Date 

NHTSA ID

Issues Noticed 

Additional Remarks 

Remedy 

1

November 2020

20V734000

Steering column damage causing a delay in the airbag deployment 

Damaged breakaway pins within the steering column might affect the airbag’s performance post its deployment causing injury to the passengers during an accidental crash

Toyota will be notifying the owners about the complaint who are going to take care of the issue by replacing the steering column for free. The recall for the issue started on December 18 2020 

Should You Buy a 2021 Toyota Avalon?

The Avalon sedan is one of the most reliable models manufactured by Toyota. So, buying a 2021 Toyota Avalon can be a good initiative for those who’re looking for a reliable sedan. However, the fact that the car’s damaged steering column due to delayed deployment in airbag, faulty service brakes, and structural defects detaching the windshield mirror from the car’s body can’t be avoided. Before the competitors of the car made a move, the Toyota rolled the dice and issued a recall for all the faulty parts found in the vehicle. The dealers were also instructed to repair and replace the problems quickly, which they did and ensured that the revived Avalon is clean and ready to earn a resale price tag. 

So, our suggestion would be to the Avalon lovers is to check the car’s condition and get it verified that the vehicle is free from all those malfunctions it encountered earlier. If it’s free from the previously met challenges, there’s no reason of giving a second thought to their buying decision.

  • Complaints
  • Recalls
  • Investigations
  • Manufacturer Communications

August 5, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11678629

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11678629

Incident Date:
August 5, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
4T1KB1BB9MU

Consumer Location:
TABERNASH, CO

Summary
There is no remedy available to fix the OCS sensor in front passenger seat of our 2021 Toyota Avalon. We...

August 4, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11678360

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11678360

Incident Date:
August 4, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
4T1DA1AB4MU

Consumer Location:
Unknown

Summary
My vehicle is under Safety Recall 23V865 (Toyota dealer reference 23TB15) due to potentially defective Oc...

May 7, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11659486

Components: 180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NHTSA ID Number:
11659486

Incident Date:
May 7, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
4T1EA1AB9MU

Consumer Location:
Unknown

Summary
Cruise control stopped working while driving interstate speed. Would not work and all lights on dashboar...

April 15, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11654766

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11654766

Incident Date:
April 15, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
4T1DA1AB7MU

Consumer Location:
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA

Summary
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865...

March 8, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11647108

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11647108

Incident Date:
March 8, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:

Consumer Location:
WASHINGTON, DC

Summary
SAFETY DEFECT IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NOT REMEDIED IN OVER ONE YEAR. TOYOTA IS CLEARLY NOT GOING TO FIX S...

85/100Best

Quality & Reliability

Assesses the extent of issues, glitches, and design imperfections encountered by...

76/100Best

Driving Experience

Owners' assessments regarding the vehicle's design, performance, comfort, functi...

78/100Best

Resale

CARHP's projection of depreciation, which estimates the probable decrease in the...

79/100Best

Dealership Experience

Owners' interactions with dealerships associated with this brand, encompassing b...

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