2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Forward Collision Avoidance (5) · Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Seats (3)
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2020-01-17 · campaign 20V024000 · 2,891,976 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking 2015-11-03 · campaign 15V728000 · 30,812 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:switch/Wiring 2013-10-17 · campaign 13V505000 · 9,795 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (244)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Showing the 6 most recent of 244 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-12-29 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 98,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 toyota avalon hybrid. the contact stated that several instrument cluster warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed …”
2019-08-28 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices:exterior · 43,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota avalon hybrid. while driving approximately 25 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger side of the vehicle and the contact noticed that the passenger side exterior mirror had shattered. the mirror was not struck by any foreign objects. the vehicle was taken to john o'neil johnson toyota (located …”
2019-06-20 · Structure:body“when it rains heavily (within the two months i have owned it), the roof and/or sunroof leaks causing water damage in multiple areas of the roof. the dealership cannot find a cause after the initial sunroof drain was cleared.…”
2019-06-05 · Unknown Or Other“when i put the car in reverse, there is a very loud grinding noise as the retractable rear window screen tries to go up. when the car is put in gear there is a different grinding noise. the screen has frozen in various stages of up or down, but now is stuck down, obviously trying to raise. according to many posts online, including some from toyota …”
2018-05-31 · Exterior Lighting · 65,797 mi“headlights blow out frequently and need replacing.…”
2017-10-24 · Unknown Or Other · 58,000 mi“rear window shade will not retract. stays in up position all the time. hard to see at night. dealer says there has been alot of shades that quit funtioning. not covered under warranty. $1700 repair if want done. can't even disable so it will retract and stay down.…”
2016-11-14 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc)“avalon recall no 15v728. had the recall "remedy" performed on my car 09/07/16 (was having no issue with my car before the recall) and now the pcs warning buzzes and lights up, and the red brake! message lights up every time i drive the vehicle! contacted toyota corporate ofc (case #1609142106 & #1611100472) to report the issue has not been resolved…”
2016-07-25 · Forward Collision Avoidance“tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota avalon hybrid. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 15v728000 (forward collision avoidance); however, the parts needed were not available. the contact believed that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall repair. the dealer inspected the vehicle …”
2016-06-01 · Forward Collision Avoidance“tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota avalon hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v728000 (forward collision avoidance). the recall repair remedy was unavailable beyond a reasonable time frame. the contact waited longer than six months. the dealer and the manufacturer were unable to determine when the vehicle would be …”
2016-05-24 · Forward Collision Avoidance“tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota avalon hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v728000 (forward collision avoidance). however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was aware of the issue…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.