Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2021 Toyota Avalon Engine problems

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Avalon's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 19% of all its complaints, most recently on January 9, 2025. They describe 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

While driving our 2021 Avalon on a busy interstate,the engine failed on us unexpectantly. This cathostrophic failure without warning startled my finance and ruined xmas holidays. The car was towed to a local Toyota dealership who diagnosed the issue as low oil pressure which prevented oil reaching the top engine ultimately collapsing the rocker arm. Oddly enough the technician shared it was not low on oil nor were there any signs of le. We were informed the engine must be replaced. We purchased the vehicle with 56K...

Read the full complaint

and just hit 69K. We've been responsible with routine maintenance and have service reports to support services performed from the original owner and us. When contacting Toyota to report the issue, the advocates and resolution team did not offer any service campaigns or good will programs to cover any out of pocket expenses. They acted as if we should hold the dealership who sold us the car liable ignoring any possibility of a defective engine. There is NO good reason why any engine with only 69k miles should fail this sudden. There are similar reports of class action suits currently against Toyota on other engines and they ignore all accounts of owning any portion of the repair due to the car not being sold from a Toyota dealership and being over the 60k power train warranty. Regardless of the warranty the manufacturer name is on the vehicle and all accounts of this issue are indicators of a defect. Our voices may have not be strong enough for them to make us whole at this moment. Not only was this a dangerous situation for my family, but the expenses to replace the engine in such a short time is ridiculous. A company with such a high reputation not to mention high revenue and EBITA should not ignore the voice of the customer. My hope is other customers unite and voice any similar concern similar to ours. This experience has changed my mind how much I value Toyota.There are core principles & expectations car manufacturers should stand by.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11635159
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle drove as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a claim was submitted. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11505882
Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while diving approximately 50 MPH, the engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the windshield had detached from the frame. The contact stated that the rear doors were failing to close correctly. The contact stated the vehicle would roll with the brake pedal depressed before coming to a stop. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the steering wheel fractured and the air bags inadvertently deployed. Additionally, the...

Read the full complaint

headlamps and turn signals also failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who stated that front door master switch, the pillar and racket, the brakes, the headlamps, and turn signals needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,500.

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11479951
Electrical systemEngine & coolingCrash

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Avalon HV. The contact stated that while driving, all the instrument control panel lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer eight or nine times where it was diagnosed there was moisture in the brakes, the brake assembly, sensor harness, sensor in the grill, gear shifter, and hybrid sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel, warning lights illuminated, and the...

Read the full complaint

hybrid system overheated. The pull over somewhere safe message was displayed. The steering wheel was stiff. The brake pedal was stiff and failed to depress. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and drove into a ditch was air borne and cross to the other side of road. The contact was able to drive away from the scene, but the vehicle shutdown and failed to start. The vehicle was towed to contact's place of business. There were no reported injuries, fire or air bag deployment. There was a state trooper on the scene but there was no police report filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 800.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11456819

Toyota Avalon engine complaints by year

Avalon engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2021 Avalon? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience