NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A short circuit in the front passenger air bag sensor may prevent the air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor at no cost to you.
This page covers 4 recalls, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Toyota Avalon.
25–43 mpg combined
5.5–9.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2020 Toyota Avalon has 4 recalls, the most serious involving engine cooling and fuel delivery failures that can each cause the engine to stall while driving, raising the risk of a crash.
Both engine concerns apply specifically to hybrid models: coolant can leak internally or externally through cracks in the engine castings, causing the engine to overheat and cut out. A separate issue affects the fuel pump, which can fail outright and also cause a sudden stall. Two recalls involve the airbag system. Breakaway pins inside the steering column, which are designed to absorb crash energy and protect the driver, may have been damaged during production, potentially preventing the driver's airbag from deploying correctly in a crash. The passenger seat's occupant classification sensor, which tells the airbag system whether the front seat is occupied by an adult, a child, or is empty, can also malfunction and cause the front passenger airbag to fail to deploy when needed.
At a glance
What can fail
A short circuit in the front passenger air bag sensor may prevent the air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Breakaway pins in the steering column that normally absorb crash energy may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could reduce how well the driver's air bag works in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire steering column at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved version at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Tiny holes in engine castings may cause cracks that allow coolant to leak inside or outside the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the entire engine block, including the engine, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.