2013 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 160 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (13% of complaints); the 2011 and 2012 and 2015 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Straps, yes The straps do not stay tight and do not keep my child restrained Yes After checking the straps on the car seat they become loose no longer restraining my child in her seat”Owner report · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness · Dec 2024
“Sidewall tire failed after 3 months. No hazard on roadway, sidewall separated while traveling at 70 mph causing car to go out of control with near accident. After inspecting tire it appears to have very little material depth indicating a defect by manufacturer.”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2024
“There is a very strong musty smell. 80% of the time it's when I turn on AC. 20% just at random driving times. Whenever car has sat longer then a few hours with all windows up. When open doors is has very musty smell. I have done everything to do with cleaning vehicle. This is a hybrid I'm a lil scared when it comes to electrical fire . Do to this musty smell. That means there is some type of fluid gathering somewhere. So what does Toyota plan on doing?”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Water is filling up in my trunk not sure how it is getting in . Have noticed a lil water stains along back top of lining. I started smelling a stail water smell when I found a puddle of water under my spare tire . Im extremely worried with winter coming again . Not to mention there is a battery locate in truck as well. So I feel completely unsafe. I have recently had noticed hybrid battery going from high to low then all of sudden died. Had to purchase a new battery. Please is this normal?someone help before it rains again and something terrible happens”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a Goodyear Tire. Tire Line: Assurance Max Life, Tire Size: 225/45/VR18. The contact stated that he noticed the front driver's side tire had a big bubble on the sidewall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The tire was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The tire mileage was 6,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2022
“The moonroof area has rattling noise at speeds exceeding 60 mph. A similar rattling noise is also noted from the driver side A pillar of the car at all driving speeds.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2022
“I have a tacky dashboard which has a glare on the dashboard hindering vision while driving. I understand is a recall however not for 2013 avalons. I'm a senior which make more difficult for to drive my care comfortably. I would like Toyota to approve the repair for my car. I've been a loyal customer for 25 years Sincerly”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2022
“Was driving home one day after taking my dad about 45 mins away was driving as usual and the car died had to pull over to side of road put in park and restart. Has done it several times after we have had in at toyota dealerships on 3 different occasions and they cannot duplicate or diagnose. Sent me home with an unsafe car for the 4th time. Tried taking car back to where I bought as issue happened on feb 6 21 and I purchased on jan 27 21 going to change the crankshaft position sensor next week and see if thats what it is. Please help I am stuck with a 23000 loan for a car I cant drive safely or confidently!”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2021
“I just purchased a 2013 toyota avalon from carmax. During the next several days of driving I had observe the following. One. The rear window is distorted and will not come clean no matter what I attempt to use to be able to have a clear visibility. I also have noticed that while in a stop position, when beginning to accelerate the vehicle hesitates and I have to take my foot off the gas pedal and reapply to accelerate. I have a seven day return policy no questions asked. But I really love this car in been waiting to find that particular color exterior and interior which is black leather. I called toyota and they could not find any recall or other problems with this.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Dec 2020
“The rear sun shade which extends and retracts to cover the back window of my avalon has a fault which causes it to get stuck in the extended position, covering the rear window. This drastically reduces the visibility out the rear window and there is no obvious or simple fix for the issue. I have found online that many people are having a similar problem. Before the shade got stuck, it would randomly extend or retract during hot days, which seems to be due to a faulty relay. This is clearly a poor design which presents a safety hazard to the driver and anyone behind the vehicle while backing up.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Aug 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc. (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Camry and Camry HV, model year 2013 Avalon and Avalon HV and model year 2014 Corolla vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to October 27, 2015 and 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and ES300h vehicles manufactured June 18, 2012 to July 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a Pre-Collision System (PCS) as optional equipment. In these vehicles, the PCS may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain PCS components, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this campaign are F1V and F2E.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Avalon reliable?
NHTSA has 160 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Toyota Avalon. The most complained-about area is structure (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Avalon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 26,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Toyota Avalon have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:appliance:air conditioner. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.