2013 Toyota Avalon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Toyota Avalon has a complaint index of 76, ranking 5th worst among 18 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 137 complaints, 4 recalls, 14 crashes, and 1 fire for this year, with Visibility & Wipers the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 76/100
- #5 of 18 Avalon years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 137
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2013 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers29 (21%)
- Engine27 (20%)
- Structure & Body26 (19%)
- Other25 (18%)
- Electrical System16 (12%)
- Airbags14 (10%)
- Brakes14 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Fuel System4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or reversing, with the vehicle surging forward despite braking.
- Some drivers report the pre-collision system applying brakes automatically with no obstacle present.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed crashes, and seat belts failed to retract, resulting in head injuries.
- One owner described windshield wipers turning on at full speed uncontrollably along with an electrical odor and white smoke entering the cabin.
- A steering wheel reportedly locked into a turned position after a strange noise from under the passenger seat, preventing the driver from straightening the wheel.
2013 Toyota Avalon recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V024000Jan 17, 2020Airbags2,891,976 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 15V728000Nov 3, 2015Collision Avoidance & Cameras30,812 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
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.
Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 13V442000Oct 17, 2013Other802,769 vehicles
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
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.
Risk: A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.
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.
2013 Toyota Avalon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- Compared to other Avalon model years, the 2013 ranks 5th worst out of 18 years tracked, with a complaint index of 76 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common complaints on the 2013 Avalon?
- NHTSA data shows Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 29 complaints (21%), followed by Engine problems at 27 complaints (20%) and Structure & Body issues at 26 complaints (19%).
- Does the 2013 Toyota Avalon have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2013 Avalon, covering airbags, collision avoidance/cameras, an air conditioning drain issue, and a wiper switch assembly.
- How many people were hurt in 2013 Avalon incidents reported to NHTSA?
- NHTSA data shows 18 injuries and 0 deaths tied to 2013 Avalon complaints, along with 14 crashes and 1 fire.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Toyota Avalon?
- EPA rates the 2013 Avalon at 24.5 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650.