NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Toyota Avalon[1]. The biggest groups are structure, unknown or other, and speed control[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.
- Structure. 27 complaints[2]. Owners describe a headliner that peels or sags, a roof leak that stained the ceiling, and sun glare bouncing off shiny dash trim.
- Unknown or other. 26 complaints[3]. These reports do not name a clear part, so we cannot say more about them.
- Speed control. 25 complaints[4]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car surging or creeping forward on its own, a speedometer that reads off, and the cruise system braking when nothing was ahead. Some of these reports end in a crash.
- Visibility and wipers. 21 complaints[8]. Owners describe glare in the rear window, a distorted view out the back, and wipers that start up on their own.
- Air bags. 17 complaints[9]. Owners describe worry that the bags did not open in a crash and frustration waiting for repair parts.
- Electrical system. 15 complaints[10].
- Brakes. 13 complaints[11].
- Forward collision avoidance. 11 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Avalon is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (20V024), January 2020. About 2,891,976 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking (15V728), November 2015. About 30,812 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring (13V505), October 2013. About 9,795 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner (13V442), October 2013. About 802,769 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, steering problems, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Avalon Hybrid, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[6] | 40 / 39 / 40 | $1,700 |
| Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[18] | 21 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 |
Safety ratings
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 80 | 0 |
| 1996 | 109 | 0 |
| 1997 | 125 | 1 |
| 1998 | 178 | 1 |
| 1999 | 92 | 1 |
| 2000 | 173 | 2 |
| 2001 | 134 | 2 |
| 2002 | 116 | 1 |
| 2003 | 293 | 2 |
| 2004 | 205 | 3 |
| 2005 | 228 | 7 |
| 2006 | 360 | 7 |
| 2007 | 243 | 6 |
| 2008 | 349 | 6 |
| 2009 | 91 | 7 |
| 2010 | 46 | 7 |
| 2011 | 106 | 1 |
| 2012 | 30 | 4 |
| 2013 | 160 | 4 |
| 2014 | 114 | 4 |
| 2015 | 53 | 2 |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 |
| 2018 | 25 | 2 |
| 2019 | 72 | 5 |
| 2020 | 10 | 4 |
| 2021 | 27 | 2 |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Avalon show 160 complaints and 4 recalls for 2013[5]. Among the 28 model years listed, 19 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 8 have more[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (8) and the most are for 2006 (360)[5]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2013 Avalon?
The 2013 Avalon has 160 complaints on file[1]. Some of the stories we read involve comfort and view problems like trim glare and a loose headliner[2][8]. The speed control and air bag groups deserve a closer look because they carry the crash reports[4][9]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recall section on this page and ask a dealer about open work before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Avalon?
- Owners filed 160 complaints[1]. Structure, unknown or other, and speed control lead the list[2][3][4]. See the problems section above for the full breakdown.
- Does the 2013 Toyota Avalon have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact lists 4 recalls[5]. The Recalls section on this page shows each one.
- What gas mileage does the 2013 Toyota Avalon get?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2013 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- Owners filed 160 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Those reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what to check, not a score.
- Which year of the Toyota Avalon is best?
- The by-year comparison section on this page puts the model years side by side. Use it to compare complaints and recalls.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Toyota Avalon
Compare all model years of the Toyota Avalon
Other Toyota models from 2013
Similar cars from 2013: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Toyota Avalon (18 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,963). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,700). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Avalon model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avalon Hybrid, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 39 highway / 40 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,689). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V024, filed January 17, 2020: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V728, filed November 3, 2015: Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V505, filed October 17, 2013: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Switch / Wiring. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V442, filed October 17, 2013: Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records