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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-TOYOTA-AVALONNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2013 Toyota Avalon problems
The 2013 Toyota Avalon has 160 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2013 Toyota Avalon has 160 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is body at 23 complaints, typically surfacing around 11,635 miles (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Avalon?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Toyota Avalon 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Toyota Avalon? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
body — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 11,635 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
visibility — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 40,090 mi · ~$350 to fix
cruise control — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 56,485 mi · ~$600 to fix
airbags — 14 owner reports
· tends to show around 47,268 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 11,635 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Avalon· cruise controlCrash
I was parking head-in to parking spot. As I reached the final spot, and was shifting gear to p (parking), the car took off like a "rocket" and jumped the curb. This caused damage to the car parked in the next parking spot and my car. The other car had to be towed. I was able to…
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…
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…
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.…
Had a problem with your 2013 Toyota Avalon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles
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.
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
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Toyota Avalon has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Toyota Avalon?
The 2013 Toyota Avalon is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Toyota Avalon?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,635 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Toyota Avalon a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 160 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 11,635 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Toyota Avalon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,635 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 11,635 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Avalon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Toyota Avalon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 160 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Avalon.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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