2021 Toyota AVALON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 21 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Engine | 4 |
| 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 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
Air Bags: 12; Engine: 4; 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; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 1; 2022: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 4; 2025: 9; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11389353 · 2021-01-22 (January 22, 2021)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456819 · 2022-03-15 (March 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, sensor harness, sensor in the grill, gear shifter, and hybrid sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel, warning lights illuminated, and the hybrid system overheated. The…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11456819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479951 · 2022-08-18 (August 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 close correctly. The contact stated the vehicle would roll with the brake pedal depressed before coming to a stop. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the steering wheel fractured and the air bags inadvertently deployed. Additionally, the headlamps and turn signals also fa…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11479951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505882 · 2023-02-06 (February 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 was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was submitted. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11505882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11659486 · 2025-05-07 (May 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 to spend a total of 400.00
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11659486 at NHTSA ↗