AI Damage2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags. The maker issued 130 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 130
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- Air bags: 6 complaints (100% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
In an effort to avoid crashing into the vehicle, the contact merged into the right lane however crashed into the rear driver's side of another vehicle. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was damaged due to the impact on the front passenger side. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained.
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 contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the SRS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, an audible chime was temporarily sounded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Avalon Hybrid has 6 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 6, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Under certain conditions, debris can accumulate inside the fuel cap causing potential fuel vapor leaks…
Under certain conditions, debris can accumulate inside the fuel cap causing potential fuel vapor leaks that can cause increased evaporative emissions to exceed the regulated limits. This issue will not trigger the…
- OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV)…
This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or…
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is…
- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TF01 Certain 2018 – 2024 Model Year Camry HV…
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TF01 Certain 2018 – 2024 Model Year Camry HV and 2019-2022 Avalon HV Fuel Cap Negative Pressure Valve & Fuel Filler Dust Intrusion
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026
This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the…
The specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that can occur from the flow shut-off valve that can allow coolant to drip on other parts of the vehicle. This can cause "Engine…
- Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may…
Some 2018 – 2021 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit a condition in which an “Engine Maintenance Required” message is displayed in the Multi-Information…
- Some ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs
This can lead to accidental use of the wrong repair manual when diagnosing these type of DTCs.
NHTSA lists 130 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 130 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.