Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Toyota Avalon problems

Owners filed 11 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Avalon with NHTSA between Feb 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (5).

Complaints
11
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Fuel/propulsion system5
  2. Forward collision avoidance2
  3. Wheels1
  4. Air bags1
  5. Steering1
  6. Vehicle speed control1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Visibility1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20215
20221
20231
20242
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Fuel/propulsion system

5 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11703613

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2022Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11476773

Wheels

1 report
“I brought my vehicle for a suspension realignment service. They performed the realignment service, but informed me that the side wall of the front right wheel was cracked. I took a look crack and it seemed like an attempted man made cut to up sell a replacement. The tire is only 2 years old according to the DOT code, so the environment is unlikely to be the cause. The tire was also brought it to another tire shop for re-balance around 2000 miles ago and they did not try to sell me a replacement tire. The cut looks like something that a blade could replicate, not a curb. I suspect that this tire shop has some kind of quota pressure on their technician to detect faults on the tire to increase tire volume sales. It is likely they could of made a puncture with the expectation that the buyer would replace it on the spot. I brought up the issue w/ the owner and they were denying it initially but did make a comment on the video footage. I did not go with that option, since I was in a hurry to go to work on that day and a bit skeptical if they would selectively release the video footage. I didn't want to call the police/law-enforcement directly to obtain the full…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2026WheelsODI 11774729

Air bags

1 report2 related recalls
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2024Air bagsODI 11625964

Steering

1 report
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2024SteeringODI 11602383

Vehicle speed control

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.