2020 Toyota Avalon

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 10 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System5
000
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Steering1
000
Service Brakes1
100
Air Bags1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification23V865000
Filed Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Air Bags › Frontal20V734000
Filed Nov 25, 2020161 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. 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, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump20V682000
Filed Nov 4, 20201,525,742 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 8, 2025TX

A couple of months ago, my car started running a little rough as it would sit in idle mode. When suddenly my check engine light came on. I checked the codes and they seemed to be P0445 Evaporitive emission system leak detected (large leak). And P0441 Evaporative emission system. Incorrect Purge Flow. P0505 Idle control system. And P0171 System to Lean Bank 1 and P0174 System to Lean. Bank 2 and P0172 System Too Rich and P1170 and P117B Manufacture Control. But other then just running a little rough at idle that was about all that I had noticed until I went to go fuel up back in October. My fuel was low so I went to fuel up and after wards, my car struggled really hard to start. And every time since that days it’s progressively gotten worse. Last week I kept my car running while I fueled up and as I drove away from the gas station, my car just stalled out completely. It took me about an hour and a half before my car would start again. I was waiting for the tow truck to come get me and thank God inc checked it one more time and it started. Now just recently, when I put my car in park the engine immediately Reva up super high. It started to wine really loud and rpm go through the roof. Until I shut the car off. So I am unable to sit in idle at all anymore. I decided to Google what could be going on with my car and then I seen this recall on the fuel pump off some Toyota Avalon 2019 & 2020 models. But much to my surprise, my Vin/Vehicle is not listed. Will Toyota still replace th

Air Bags
Filed Nov 18, 2024HI

To Whom It May Concern, I am filing this complaint to report Right Toyota in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Toyota Motor Corporation for their mishandling of a critical airbag safety recall (23TA15) on my 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. The lack of transparency, misleading information, and failure to provide a remedy has left me with a vehicle that is unsafe to drive and has caused significant financial hardship. 1. Right Toyota never informed me of the recall, despite multiple service visits throughout the year. I only discovered this issue through my insurance company in August 2024. 2. I scheduled service appointments with Right Toyota on August 23rd and October 15th, 2023, after learning about the recall. Each time, I was told that there was no remedy available, and I was not offered any alternative solutions or a loaner vehicle. Toyota’s Brand Engagement Team later confirmed that a remedy for my specific vehicle is not expected until March 2026. 3. I called Right Toyota back after the manufacturer told me the dealership was meant to solve this issue by offering me a loaner vehicle or buying my car off me. I spoke to Jason Murdoch who informed it was preposterous to think they would offer me a loaner vehicle until 2026 and that the only option he could offer is buying my car off me 8K negative on what I still owe on my car loan. He told me the dealerships hands were tied unless NHTSA or the manufacturer gave specific instructions for me. 4. I have since relocated to Hawaii, where I

Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2024CA

TIE ROD LOOSE I heard a clunking noise while turning the steering wheel to the left at very low speeds. Took car in for service Service Mechanic found left outer tie rod end "with play, loose" Safety issue: potential loss of steering ability while driving Vehicle has been inspected and repaired - (my cost $1308.94) - images attached No warning messages / appeared about a month before I went in... it became progressively worse with time

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 25, 2023FL

When refueling vehicle, gasoline backs up immediately, doesn't shut off gas hose and pours out all over vehicle and feet of person refueling. Today is the 4th time it's happened. It's been to Gettle Toyota of Lakewood in Bradenton FL for this exact complaint and was told there's nothing wrong with the vehicle.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 31, 2022PA

On 3 lane expressway (US422)about 1/4 mile from where the lanes split( see attached). No cars in front of me but cars in the lane to my left slowed. My car suddenly braked causing the car behind me to swerve to my right to avoid a collision. The adaptive breaking (incorrectly) determined that there was a collision hazard, thus creating an actual collision hazard

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 21, 2021IL

This has happened 3 times now. When putting gas in and the pump kicks off fuel gushes out of the tank. I only had a quarter of a tank at the time. Only got $1 worth in the last time this happened. If you try to put more fuel in pump will kick off then it just pushes fuel out all over the ground, which could easily cause a fire. Took to the dealer today to get this on record, had a full tank so they did not not try to gas it up. Get no warning that this is going to happen. On all 3 occasions I was able to gas up without an issue the next day.

Service BrakesCrash1 killed
Filed Jul 28, 2021NJ

I represent the family of a fatally injured rollaway victim. It is on their behalf I am reporting the circumstances of this incident and to strongly urge that NHTSA update the rollaway requirements specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114. On August 22, 2020, It is believed that while attempting to retrieve the key fob, the driver inadvertently bumped the gear selector forward into Neutral, releasing the torque to the wheels that had kept it stationary on their sloped driveway. (Unlike shifting out of the Park position, which requires application of the brake pedal and depressing the lock button on the shift selector, the shift selector can be moved from Drive forward into the Neutral position, without a secondary interlocking action.) The drivers wife, who was behind the vehicle. was pinned by the car and dragged under to her death. The position of the transmission gear selector was not documented by any witnesses or first responders when the vehicle eventually came to rest on the opposite side of the road, not is it documented in the extensive data stored within the vehicle. However, the data retrieved from the subject vehicle during a subsequent inspection revealed that the Vehicle Control History (VCH) included a field for “Driver Exited Vehicle When Shift Position Wasn’t P” which showed that at the time of the incident that is exactly what happened. Finally, there is ample evidence to support the need for an upgrade of the rollaway provisions within FMVSS 1

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed May 13, 20218,937 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, WHEN THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT ANY OBJECT CAUSING THE IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER HERITAGE TOYOTA OWINGS MILLS (9801 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117: (844) 202-9429), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUNROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,937.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 13, 20214,000 milesNV

ON OCTOBER 28, 2020, TOYOTA ANNOUNCED IT WAS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING CERTAIN TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 2017 THROUGH DECEMBER 2019 DUE TO THE SAME FUEL PUMP ISSUE FOR WHICH THEY ANNOUNCED A SAFETY RECALL IN JANUARY 2020. THE REFERENCED VEHICLE DOOR STICKER SHOWS A PRODUCTION DATE OF 12/19, WHICH IS WITHIN THE PRODUCTION PERIOD ANNOUNCED ON 10/28/2020. HOWEVER, THE VIN ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT APPEAR ON ANY RECALL LIST AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. NONETHELESS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL: WHEN MAKING A TURN OR DRIVING ON CITY STREETS; IN SOME INSTANCES (INCLUDING TODAY) IT IS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT; OTHER TIMES IT IS WHEN ACCELERATING. THERE HAVE BEEN TWO INSTANCES WHERE THIS HAPPENED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. IN ONE SUCH INSTANCE, A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED MOMENTARILY ON THE VEHICLE'S DISPLAY. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE SELLING DEALER DURING THE LAST ROUTINE MAINTENANCE VISIT ON MAY 4, 2021. IN REFERENCE TO THIS COMPLAINT, THE DEALER WORK ORDER REPORTED TECHNICIAN "WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN AT THIS TIME VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING WITHIN ALL MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS".

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 12, 20211,900 milesNC

RECALL# 20V-682,IF A VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING,THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.TOYOTA IS TALKING ABOUT THE RECALL FOR A LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH MAY STOP OPERATING.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONDITION WHICH COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN REPORTED TO ME IN NOVEMBER 2020 WITH NO REMEDY IN SIGHT.ALL I WANT IS FOR TOYOTA TO FIX MY PROBLEM ASAP,OR TELL ME TO PARK MY VEHICLE AND USE A LOANER FROM TOYOTA TILL SERIOUS CONDITION IS FIXED.THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMPS MADE IN CHINA FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

10 of 10 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20228000Routine
202121200Routine
2020 — this page10301Fatalities reported
201970400Routine
201824200Routine
2017142010Fatalities reported
201623310Routine
201541200Routine
201496410Routine
2013137410Routine
201230410Routine
2011106100Routine
201046700Routine
200991710Routine
2008349640Above average
2007243614Fatalities reported
2006360742Fatalities reported
2005228731Fatalities reported
2004205302Fatalities reported
2003293221Fatalities reported
2002116120Routine
2001134213Fatalities reported
2000173220Routine
199992211Fatalities reported
1998178210Routine
1997125101Fatalities reported
1996109001Fatalities reported
199580040Routine

Compare every Avalon year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 20, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.