2020 Toyota Avalon Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 8, 2025 · 10 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Avalon years
Far fewer complaints than other years 27th of 28 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Avalon. That ranks 27th out of 28 Avalon model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (5 complaints, 50%), typically at around 2,950 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Toyota Avalon
TOYOTA AVALON China. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2020 Toyota Avalon problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Fuel/propulsion System5 · ~2,950 mi
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Air Bags1
Service Brakes1
Steering1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Visibility1 · ~8,937 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Fuel/propulsion System550%2,950——
Forward Collision Avoidance220%———
Air Bags110%———
Service Brakes110%———
Steering110%———
Vehicle Speed Control110%———
Visibility110%8,937——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2021, with 5 complaints
2021: 5202152022: 1202212023: 1202312024: 2202422025: 120251

n = 10 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2020 Toyota Avalon recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationDec 20, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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:frontal; steering:columnNov 25, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V734000 · 161 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 pumpNov 4, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V682000 · 1,525,742 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Dec 8, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11703613

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…

Air Bags · received Nov 18, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11625964

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…

Steering · received Jul 15, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11602383

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…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Nov 25, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11556756

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…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Jul 31, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11476773

Other Toyota Avalon years

← 2019 Avalon · 2021 Avalon →

See all Toyota Avalon problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Avalon?

Owners most often report fuel/propulsion system, forward collision avoidance, air bags problems. The top one, fuel/propulsion system, accounts for 5 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Toyota Avalon?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2020 Toyota Avalon a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Avalon model years, the 2020 has far fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.