2013 Toyota AVALON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
137 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
17,522 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 82 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 137 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 14.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 9.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 21 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Structure | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Structure:Body | 12 |
Unknown Or Other: 22; Vehicle Speed Control: 22; Visibility/Wiper: 21; Air Bags: 14; Electrical System: 14; Structure: 13; Service Brakes: 12; Structure:Body: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 48 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 48; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (48). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2013: 30; 2014: 18; 2015: 10; 2016: 20; 2017: 9; 2018: 3; 2019: 11; 2020: 14; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 6; 2024: 6; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10515182 · 2013-06-05 (June 5, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING FROM KNOXVILLE TN TO ATLANTA GA, ON A DOWNGRADE JUST OUTSIDE OF CHATTANOOGA ON INTERSTATE 75 I WENT TO USE THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT COME BACK. I HAD NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER AND ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD WAS I ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE IT OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, WHICH WAS CLEAR, AND WAIT UNTIL I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE FOR THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON IT'S OWN. I HAD TO USE THE GRASS AND GRAVEL JUST OFF THE EMERGENCY LANE TO HELP BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED BACK …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10525665 · 2013-07-18 (July 18, 2013)
MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE WITHOUT RESULTS. THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD ABOUT 10 FEET,AND WAS STOPPED ON IMPACT BY A PICNIC TABLE AND SIDE OF A BUILDING. SHE RECEIVED A WHIPLASH INJURY, RECENTLY DIAGNOSED AS HERNIATED DISKS, AND IS CURRENTLY UNDER MEDICAL CARE.DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO THE GRILL AND CRUMPLE ZONE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR.THE INSURANCE ASSESSED THE DAMAGE AT $7,000.00, AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10525665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548745 · 2013-10-21 (October 21, 2013)
RE:REPORT RECEIPT DATE: OCT 17, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT TOYOTA NEEDS TO CORRECT THE DEFECTIVE DRAIN LINE. THE CONDENSATE THAT IS NOT DRAINING OUT OF THE EVAPORATOR IS ENCOURAGING THE GROWTH OF MOLD IN THE EVAPORATOR WITH AN ACCOMPANYING OBNOXIOUS ODOR. COULD THE MOLD BE A TOXIC MOLD? THE ROOT PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557690 · 2013-12-30 (December 30, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT) AND THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10557690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10714320 · 2015-05-04 (May 4, 2015)
I'M NOT SURE IF THE FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM IS AT FAULT; HOWEVER, FOLLOWING IS THE PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN I TELL TOYOTA SERVICE PEOPLE ABOUT IT, THEY DON'T SEEM CONCERNED. WHEN MAKING A SLOW TURN (USUALLY LEFT TURN), IT APPEARS THAT I AM ABOUT TO STALL - SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH GAS GETTING TO SYSTEM - OR PERHAPS IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (GEARED DOWN TOO LOW). I AM A WOMAN, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN SCARED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR HARDER A…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,543 miles reported. Look up ODI 10714320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10806215 · 2015-11-23 (November 23, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TECHNICIAN UPGRADED THE FUEL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10806215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10523373 · 2013-07-05 (July 5, 2013)
SERIOUS PROBLEM: 2013 TOYOTA AVALON DASHBOARD TRIM CAUSES A DANGEROUS REFLECTION OF SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY INTO DRIVER'S EYES. DURING MID-DAY SUN, BLINDING BEAMS OF SUNLIGHT BOUNCE OFF SEVERAL AREAS OF THE MIRRORED-CHROME-COLORED PLASTIC TRIM THAT SURROUNDS THE DASHBOARD AND WRAPS AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SUNLIGHT IS REFLECTED OFF CHROME TRIM BENEATH THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER. BLINDING SUNLIGHT ALSO REFLECTS OFF TRIM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STEERING WHEEL, AND OTHER POINTS ACROSS THE TRIM. DEPENDING ON TIME OF DAY AND DIRECTION OF CAR, S…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567171 · 2014-03-11 (March 11, 2014)
2013 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. AS HE MADE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RESPOND AND INSTEAD OF SNAPPING BACK INTO A 12 O'CLOCK POSITION, IT STAYED LOCKED INTO THE TURN. HE COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE. AS HE LOOKED UP, HE SAW HE WAS ABOUT TO CRASH INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. WITH NO TIME TO REACT, HE HIT THE ONCOMING VEHICLE, IN A FRONT END COLLISION. AT THE TIME OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10567171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11385335 · 2020-12-28 (December 28, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSSED THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE AHEAD STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE STOP BUT THE VEHICLE BEHIND HIM WAS UNABLE TO STALLED CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF VEHICLE. WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT OF THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT VEHICLE TO RUN IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD OF HIM. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FROM VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTATINED BACK PAIN, AND BUMP ON THE HEAD AND NECK STRAIN …
Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385335 at NHTSA ↗