ToyotaAvalon2021Overview/toyota/avalon/2021/base/

2021 Toyota Avalon

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Avalon.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Toyota Avalon combines an eight-speed automatic transmission with a 4.8-quart oil capacity specifying 0W-16 viscosity, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Reliability data records 21 owner complaints—led by air bag issues—and two recalls, placing this model year among the more dependable entries in the vehicle’s history. With 21 complaints representing a relatively low tally within the 1995–2022 range that spans from a high of 359 in 2006 to a low of 8 in 2022, the 2021 model sits in the quieter tier of the Avalon’s production history.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-16OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/31/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 355 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire size235/45R18 94VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter17801F0050 alt 17801F0020
Spark plug9091901263 alt 9091901289
BatteryG951033101
Front wiper blades8522206250 alt 8521206250
Serpentine belt90916A2026 alt 90916A2027
Thermostat1632647020 alt 1632631050
Cabin air filter871390E040

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.1 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight3646 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 31 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume103 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Avalon of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2021 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Limited 2.5L I-47.70 sec15.90 sec205 hpAWD
2020TRD 3.5L V66.00 sec14.60 sec301 hpFWD
2019Touring 3.5L V66.00 sec14.60 sec301 hpFWD
2019Touring 3.5L V66.10 sec14.80 sec301 hpFWD
2019Touring 3.5L V66.10 sec14.60 sec301 hpFWD
2019Hybrid XSE 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh7.80 sec16.00 sec215 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-16 engine oil, SAE 75W · API · GL-5 in the differential, SAE J1703 · Dot 3 · SAE J1704 · Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid CapacityUA80E
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.1 qt
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · Dot 3 · SAE J1704 · Dot 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · API · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.48-0.58 Qts.
Engine CoolantToyota Super Long Life Coolant

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.5 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts76.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1,100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Transaxle in Park or Neutral: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFK20HBR8
Spark Plug GapNew: 0.0276-0.0315 in.; Used: 0.0433 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.281 - 1.406 lbs
Oil TypeND-12 or equivalent
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.275 lbs
Oil TypeND-12 or equivalent
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 28.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
Residual Pressure14.2
Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumStandard: 43.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumStandard: 121.0 psi
Residual Pressure14.2
Engine Compression102
Engine Compression152

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°66 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miBrake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Brake Vacuum Pump (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon sits in the mature phase of its generation, with federal complaint volume (21) slightly above the 2020 model year (10) but well below the 2019's 67, and recalls declining steadily from 4 in 2019 to 2 in 2021 before dropping to 0 in 2022 — a downward arc suggesting Toyota was actively resolving remaining issues across this period. TSBs also trend downward from 219 in 2019 to 169 in 2021, indicating fewer technical service updates were needed as the platform aged. The dominant complaint area for 2021 is Air Bags (11 of 21 complaints), with smaller clusters in Forward Collision Avoidance and Engine; the data does not specify root causes for these complaints. With only 1 crash complaint and 0 fire complaints reported, and no open investigations, the 2021 model year represents a relatively stable point in the generation's lifecycle. Given the low and declining recall count, modest complaint volume, and absence of investigations, the 2021 Avalon is a sound choice among used model years in this generation — just verify that both recalls have been addressed on the specific unit you're considering.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
169
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
21
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags11
Vehicle Speed Control,Forward Collision Avoidance2
Engine1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Power Train,Service Brakes,Engine1
Tires1
Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V734000Air Bags:FrontalReported 25/11/2020

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… Remedy: 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…

23V865000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 20/12/2023

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 169 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0104-21 Rev22026-02-27EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 27, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now…
T-SB-0106-22 Rev22026-01-30Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
T-SB-0001-262026-01-28Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
24TE042025-08-07EngineThe specific condition covered by this program is for a small engine coolant leak that…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Avalon. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Avalon take?

4.8 qt of 0W-16, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Avalon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Avalon get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined mpg.