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2021 Toyota

Avalon Hybrid XLE

Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L

Toyota Avalon: best and worst years
2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE

Closest available photo (2023 model year); you're viewing the 2021.

2023 photoDinkun ChenCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (AV-S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

Power to weight
0.048 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.39
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
7/10
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

GVWR class
Class 1C (4,001 to 5,000 lb)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Recalls
2
Owner complaints
27 See on NHTSA

Feature availability

Cameras & visibility

  • Backup camera
    Standard

Driver assist

  • Adaptive cruise control
    Standard
  • Automatic emergency brakingPart of Toyota Safety Sense.
    Standard
  • Blind-spot monitor
    Standard
  • Lane-keeping assist
    Standard

Convenience

  • Push-button start
    Standard

Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

23V865000 Dec 20, 2023 AIR BAGSToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4…

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 999,901

Full notice
20V734000 Nov 25, 2020 AIR BAGS; STEERINGToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles.

Summary: 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."

Consequence: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 161

Full notice

Source: NHTSA

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • AIR BAGS53%
  • ENGINE12%
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9%
  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6%
  • SERVICE BRAKES6%
  • BACK OVER PREVENTION3%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 34 total.

Toyota Avalon: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

140 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Feb 27, 2026ENGINET-SB-0104-21 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.

  • Jan 30, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMT-SB-0106-22 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

  • Jan 28, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMT-SB-0001-26

    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.

  • Jan 7, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERT-SB-0055-24 Rev2

    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 purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual a

  • Aug 7, 2025ENGINE24TE04

    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 Maintenance Required" to be displayed on the instrument cluster or cause the A/C not to function normally. 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’ ow

  • Jun 25, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMT-SB-0010-24 Rev2

    Some 2021 – 2022 model year Avalon, 2018 – 2024 Camry, 2019 – 2025 model year Corolla, 2022 – 2025 model year Corolla Cross, and 2019 – 2025 model year RAV4 vehicles with A25A-FKS and M20A-FKS engines may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) upon cold soak start up with engine coolant temperatures between 14°F – 41°F: •P030027 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected (Emission) Signal Rate of Change Above Threshold •P030000 – Random/Multi

  • Jun 19, 2025ENGINET-SB-0112-24 Rev2

    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 Display (MID). Additionally, the vehicle will exhibit DTC(s) P268111 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Ground) and/or P268115 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Circuit Short to Battery or Open).

  • Jun 17, 2025ENGINET-TT-0784-25 Rev1

    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.

  • and 132 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
2 yr
Maintenance
2 yr / 25k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 150k mi

Source: www.toyota.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.