DP: On November 28, 2023, a class action settlement of claims for certain airbag control units was finally approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Toyota?s agreement to provide an Extended New Parts Warranty for parts installed under Safety Recall 20TA03 and Safety Recall 20TA05. The purpose of this Extended New Parts Warranty letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Avalon airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Toyota Avalon have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Avalon | 5 |
| 2012 Avalon | 6 |
| 2013 Avalon (this page) | 14 |
| 2014 Avalon | 6 |
| 2015 Avalon | 8 |
| 2016 Avalon | 3 |
7crashes
10injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 14 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Avalon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Toyota Avalon in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell 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 for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Package: January 8, 2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that F0B expired on December 31, 2017 LSC Expired on December 31, 2017.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report widespread airbag failures across a range of crash scenarios. Several complaints document complete non-deployment in frontal and rear-impact collisions at speeds ranging from 15 to 55+ mph, with injuries including head trauma, fractured bones, whiplash, and concussions. One owner reported airbag failure occurring twice in the same vehicle. A rollover crash and a ditch-strike also resulted in non-deployment at low speed (30–40 mph).
One complaint identifies a specific root cause: the ECU may lack adequate electrical-noise protection in severe underride crashes, leading to incomplete or failed deployment of airbags and seat belt pretensioners.
Two major recall campaigns remain incomplete. Campaign 13V442000 (Summer 2013) addressed drain-hose clogging that can disable airbags entirely—a dealer sold one of these unrepaired vehicles to the complainer in October 2014. Campaign 20V024000 has left multiple owners waiting for unavailable remedy parts, some beyond reasonable timeframes. Additionally, an ODS (Occupant Detection System) sensor defect prevents passenger-side airbags from deploying even with occupants present, with owners reporting no recall and prohibitive out-of-pocket repair costs.
Failure modes owners describe
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
ODS sensor fails to consistently detect adult passengers in the front seat, causing the 'Passenger Airbag OFF' indicator to remain lit even when occupied, preventing airbag deployment in a crash.
When: First noticed several months before complaint filing
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag OFF light remains illuminated with passenger present; Vehicle does not detect properly seated adult passenger; Airbag will not deploy in crash
Repairs/costs cited: Local certified repair shop and Toyota dealership both confirmed ODS sensor failure; owner reported repair costs prohibitively expensive and issue remains unresolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall active at time of complaint; no repair assistance offered
Airbag Non-Deployment in High-Impact Rear and Front Collision
Airbags failed to deploy in a two-impact crash when the vehicle was rear-ended by a sedan traveling 55–100 mph and then pushed into a parked police vehicle ahead.
When: March 16, 2014; impact occurred while vehicle was stationary
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment from rear impact; No airbag deployment from secondary front impact; Head contact with steering wheel causing abrasion and bleeding
Airbag Non-Deployment in Multi-Vehicle Collision at 55 mph
Both front airbags and seat belt pretensioner failed to deploy when the vehicle was struck from behind and then struck the vehicle ahead, despite high-impact forces. No warning light illuminated prior to failure.
When: Failure mileage 132,000
Symptoms owners cite: Front airbags failed to deploy; Seat belt did not tighten/deploy; No warning light illuminated before failure; Occupants sustained back pain, head bump, and neck strain; passenger sustained chest injury; child sustained mouth injury with bleeding; Vehicle declared total loss
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to local mechanic and deemed total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer notified; no response documented
Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal Impact at 35 mph
Front driver-side airbag and seat belt retractor both failed to deploy/retract when vehicle rear-ended a parked car at 35 mph. No warning indicators present prior to crash.
When: Failure mileage 80,000
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side front airbag did not deploy; Front seat belt did not retract during impact; No warning indicators illuminated; Driver's head struck windshield causing fractured right hand, multiple forehead lacerations requiring 29 stitches, neck pain, whiplash, and concussion; Vehicle destroyed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to impound lot and deemed destroyed; cause of failure not determined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer were not notified
Airbag Non-Deployment in Three-Vehicle Collision
Airbags failed to deploy when vehicle was struck as the middle vehicle in a three-vehicle collision. Owner reported this was a recurring issue in the same vehicle.
When: Failure mileage approximately 75,000; owner noted airbag failure occurred twice
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy in collision; Driver sustained back injuries requiring prior surgery; Passenger sustained bruising; Police report filed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle brought to McDaniel Toyota for repair; diagnostic test completion uncertain; vehicle was repaired but failure mode not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no assistance given
Airbag Non-Deployment in Rollover Crash at 40 mph
Airbags failed to deploy when 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid was struck by another vehicle and crashed into an embankment, rolling over multiple times.
When: Failure mileage approximately 9,500; occurred while driving 40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy during rollover crash; Driver and front passenger sustained injuries requiring medical attention; Vehicle destroyed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; no repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified
Airbag Non-Deployment in Ditch and Pole Crash at 30–35 mph
Airbags failed to deploy when vehicle veered into a ditch and struck a concrete pole at 30–35 mph, following driver's loss of consciousness.
When: Failure mileage 1,000
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy; Driver sustained fractured back requiring medical attention; Police report filed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to collision center; cause of failure not determined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure
Airbag Non-Deployment in Low-Speed Frontal Impact at 15 mph
Front passenger-side airbag failed to deploy when vehicle struck a brick wall at 15 mph.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on passenger side
ECU Susceptibility to Electrical Noise in Severe Underride Crashes
Electronic Control Unit (ECU) from specific supplier lacks adequate protection against electrical noise in severe underride crashes, potentially causing incomplete or complete non-deployment of airbags and seat belt pretensioners.
When: Affects vehicles under certain crash conditions (severe underride)
Symptoms owners cite: Incomplete airbag deployment; Nondeployment of airbags; Nondeployment of seat belt pretensioners
Recall Parts Unavailability – Campaign 20V024000
Two owners received NHTSA Campaign Number 20V024000 (Airbags) recall notices but reported that the parts required to complete the recall repair were unavailable from dealers, and manufacturers exceeded a reasonable timeframe to provide remedy parts.
When: Not specified; no failure experienced prior to complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Recall remedy parts unavailable at dealership; Extended wait time for manufacturer to supply parts; No actual airbag failure reported, but vehicle remained unrepaired under recall
Repairs/costs cited: VIN tool confirms parts not available for both complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 20V024000 (Airbags) issued; remedy parts not supplied in timely manner
Recall Parts Unavailability – Campaign 13V442000
Owner received notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 13V442000 (Airbags, Electrical System, Equipment) regarding a drain hose clogging issue that could cause airbags to activate malfunction or not activate in an accident. Owner concerned because manufacturer could not make parts available within reasonable timeframe. Dealer sold vehicle with known unresolved recall in October 2014, even though recall was initiated in Summer 2013.
When: Recall initiated Summer 2013; vehicle sold with unresolved recall October 2014
Symptoms owners cite: Drain hose clogging can cause airbags to malfunction or not activate; Risk of serious injury or death to occupants
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer took vehicle on trade-in October 2014 and resold without repair; parts unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 13V442000 issued regarding drain hose clogging affecting airbag activation
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
2013 Toyota avalon hybrid requesting airbags to be replaced. *mw the dealer stated the had not received any information concerning the replacement of air bags. She was also informed of a recall concerning an issue with the seats, but never received a notice. *jb
I purchased the used vehicle from corwin Toyota in fargo, nd. After purchasing the vehicle I returned three times for repairs. When I brought the vehicle in for service the third time in six weeks I found out that two recalls would also be taken care of. I went on line to find out what the recalls were for. One of them was NHTSA recall id 13v442. This recall is about a drain hose clogging…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Toyota Avalon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 47,268 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Avalon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.