NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 23 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, describing incidents dated August 15, 2013 to June 1, 2020.

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance 5 complaints
Unknown or Other 4 complaints
Air Bags 3 complaints
Seats 3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints

Of the 23 complaints on file, 4 report a crash; across all 23 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11445406 · Filed December 29, 2021
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…
ODI #11252055 · Filed August 28, 2019
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…
ODI #11221582 · Filed June 20, 2019
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.

Read all 23 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP23-005: Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Open since November 22, 2023
Engineering Analysis EA19-001: Electrical overstress
Closed September 19, 2024
- Recall 20V-024
Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063
Defect Petition DP19-004: Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Closed January 21, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Deploy

NHTSA #20V024000 · Air Bags — Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 17, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 2,891,976 vehicles

Repair completion: 70.02% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 20TB03 / 20TA03 · Owners notified March 16, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Unexpected Braking due to Pre-Collision System

NHTSA #15V728000 · Forward Collision Avoidance — Crash Imminent Braking · NHTSA notice

Reported November 3, 2015 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 30,812 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign F1V, F2E · Owners notified July 28, 2016 · Vehicles built October 19, 2012 – October 27, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Wiper Switch May Fail/FMVSS 104

NHTSA #13V505000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Switch/Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2013 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 9,795 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 8, 2013 · Vehicles built August 12, 2013 – August 23, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

23 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid.

Electrical System

ODI #11445406

Incident: June 1, 2020 · Filed: December 29, 2021

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 the contact that the vehicle was a hazard and could catch on fire. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Visibility

ODI #11252055

Incident: August 20, 2019 · Filed: August 28, 2019

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 AT 2900 MS-39, MERIDIAN, MS 39301, (888) 781-0044) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MIRROR AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

Structure

ODI #11221582

Incident: May 6, 2019 · Filed: June 20, 2019

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11218055

Incident: May 1, 2019 · Filed: June 5, 2019

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 DEALERSHIPS, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR OVER 10 YEARS. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AT NIGHT WHEN THE SCREEN HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND DISTRACTING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS WHO SAY IT WILL COST $1,600 TO REPLACE, BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE GUARANTEED FOR 1 YEAR. THE FUSE CAN'T BE REMOVED TO DISABLE IT AND STOP THE NOISE BECAUSE IT WILL AFFECT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BLINKERS. I WANT THE NOISE SILENCED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE THROUGH A WARRANTY EXTENSION OR RECALL.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11099094

Incident: May 31, 2018 · Filed: May 31, 2018

HEADLIGHTS BLOW OUT FREQUENTLY AND NEED REPLACING.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11039357

Incident: August 15, 2017 · Filed: October 24, 2017

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.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #10926001

Incident: September 7, 2016 · Filed: November 14, 2016

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, AND EXPRESS MY FEAR THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOW NOT WORK WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO, BUT THE "CASE MGR" (CORY CARTER) STATED "THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO FOR ME", AND ADVISED ME TO "SEEK OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL HELP'. I ASKED IF THIS MEANT SEEKING AN ATTORNEY, TO WHICH HE REPLIED "YES". I FEEL MY CAR IS NOW UNSAFE, AND TOYOTA COULD CARE LESS!!

Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #10888507

Incident: November 30, 2015 · Filed: July 25, 2016

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 AND PERFORMED THE TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #10871790

Incident: January 11, 2016 · Filed: June 1, 2016

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 REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #10870540

Incident: December 16, 2015 · Filed: May 24, 2016

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. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Other Toyota Avalon Hybrid model years

Check your 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Avalon Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Toyota VIN