AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
2020 Toyota Avalon
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Toyota Avalon, most frequently naming the fuel system, driver assistance and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 191 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2021 | 2 | 3 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 4 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 7 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 8 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 9 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 10 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system545.5%
- Driver assistance218.2%
- Airbags19.1%
- Brakes19.1%
- Steering19.1%
- Visibility19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL; STEERING:COLUMN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 the fuel pump for free? Please contact me as soon as possible. I really need to address this issue. Thank You!
- NHTSA ID
- 11703613
- Incident
- Oct 10, 2025
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 cannot use the vehicle due to safety concerns. I am still making loan payments on a car that I cannot drive, and Right Toyota’s refusal to offer any assistance has placed me in a difficult situation. I request that Toyota and Right Toyota either: Repurchase the Vehicle: Take back the vehicle and pay off the remaining loan balance. Provide an Immediate Solution: If repurchasing is not possible, arrange for a free airbag repair or provide a rental vehicle until the remedy is available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11625964
- Incident
- Aug 23, 2024
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11602383
- Incident
- Jul 10, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11556756
- Incident
- Nov 25, 2023
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11476773
- Incident
- Jul 31, 2022
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11444624
- Incident
- Dec 14, 2021
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 114 – as the facts above show. It’s not enough for a safety agency to simply allow manufacturers to do so voluntarily. . Instead, the Toyota was content to collect the data and blame the driver for an event that it clearly knows occurs and has extensive information about, but fails to prevent. The public needs to rely on NHTSA to promulgate updated regulations that meet the safety needs presented to drivers of modern vehicles.
- NHTSA ID
- 11426884
- Incident
- Jul 15, 2021
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".
- NHTSA ID
- 11416511
- Incident
- May 13, 2021
- Mileage
- 4,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
ELECTRICAL 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 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 and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.
ENGINE
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’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the system and are only to be used when requested by FTS and/or FPE.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 47.5 |
| 2020Viewing | 10 | 3 | 0 | 53.4 |
| 2019 | 68 | 4 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 2018 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 61.1 |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 62.7 |
| 2016 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 58.2 |
| 2015 | 41 | 2 | 1 | 59.1 |
| 2014 | 96 | 4 | 1 | 55.5 |
| 2013 | 137 | 4 | 1 | 58.8 |
| 2012 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 63.1 |
| 2011 | 106 | 1 | 0 | 43.2 |
| 2010 | 46 | 7 | 0 | 59.1 |
| 2009 | 91 | 7 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2008 | 349 | 6 | 0 | 52.6 |
| 2007 | 243 | 6 | 0 | 57.9 |
| 2006 | 359 | 7 | 0 | 56.2 |
| 2005 | 228 | 7 | 0 | 56.1 |
| 2004 | 205 | 3 | 0 | 54.1 |
| 2003 | 293 | 2 | 0 | 55.2 |
| 2002 | 116 | 1 | 0 | 49.8 |
| 2001 | 134 | 2 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 2000 | 173 | 2 | 1 | 60.7 |
| 1999 | 92 | 2 | 1 | 57.2 |
| 1998 | 178 | 2 | 1 | 57.1 |
| 1997 | 125 | 1 | 1 | 48.3 |
| 1996 | 109 | 0 | 3 | 46.1 |
| 1995 | 80 | 0 | 1 | 44.6 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.