Official safety recallPrompt inspection

2021 Toyota Avalon · AIR BAGS

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION: recall 23V865000

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Covered model years
2020–2021
Evidence level
Official safety recall
Source review date
2026-10-18
Jurisdiction
United States
Record ID
toyota-avalon-nhtsa-23v865000

What the source says

The documented condition

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.

Consequence identified by NHTSA

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Campaign 23V865000; report received 2023-12-20. Source checked 2026-10-18.

Source component: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Compare the pattern

Symptoms and vehicle scope

Condition described by NHTSA

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.

    Vehicles and limits

    • NHTSA model names: AVALON, AVALON HYBRID. Model years: 2020, 2021.
    • NHTSA campaign 23V865000
    • The complete campaign lists 999,901 potentially affected units across all listed vehicles.
    • A make, model and year match does not establish VIN eligibility.

    Manufacturer position

    What the official procedure directs

    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.

    Mileage context

    Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.

    Original evidence

    Open the documents behind this record.

    NHTSA safety recall · 23V865000 · 2023-12-20

    NHTSA campaign 23V865000

    Official component, defect, consequence and remedy; checked 2026-10-18.

    Repair paths and safe checks

    Match the action to the evidence.

    Official repair pathManufacturer or authorized dealer · Confirm with the dealer

    Official recall 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 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.

    Boundary

    Confirm VIN eligibility and current remedy instructions with the manufacturer.

    Safe owner checkVIN lookup · Before arranging repairs

    Check the complete VIN

    Check the 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and ask the manufacturer whether this campaign remains open for the vehicle.

    Boundary

    The model-year list is not proof that an individual vehicle is affected.

    Record reviewed in the source on 2026-10-18. Confirm the current document and VIN instructions before arranging work.

    How we check a problem · All records for the 2021 Toyota Avalon

    Before authorizing work

    Read the method beside the problem.

    Safety and triage8 min read

    When a car is unsafe

    Stop safely when control changes, smoke appears or the manual tells you to stop. Do not use a short trip home as a test of whether the fault is serious.

    Read the guide
    Diagnosis and symptoms8 min read

    Why symptoms overlap

    “It makes a weird noise” is useful human language. Diagnosis begins when that language is tied to the exact vehicle and its operating conditions.

    Read the guide

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