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 ↗2013 Toyota Avalon cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Toyota Avalon have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 45,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Avalon | 15 |
| 2010 Avalon | 12 |
| 2011 Avalon | 9 |
| 2012 Avalon | 3 |
| 2013 Avalon (this page) | 20 |
| 2014 Avalon | 3 |
| 2015 Avalon | 7 |
7crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 20 cruise control 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
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 cruise control 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.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two main issues with the 2013 Avalon cruise control system: unintended acceleration events and false collision detection causing unwanted braking. During acceleration incidents, cars suddenly accelerate at parking speeds or while creeping forward, with brakes reportedly ineffective or difficult to control. Several drivers hit other vehicles, poles, and property while unable to stop. These events occur both in cold-start parking situations and during normal driving.
The second pattern involves the laser/dynamic radar cruise control disengaging or applying brakes on clear, straight roads with no vehicles present. Owners describe false dashboard indicators showing phantom vehicles ahead. One owner reports sudden acceleration above the set cruise speed on an open interstate. Events often occur after 2–3 hours of highway driving and require an hour or two of manual driving before the system resets. A dealer mechanic acknowledged the recurring nature but claimed engineers cannot identify the root cause. Toyota's responses range from claiming the system operates as designed to disabling the pre-collision system entirely without providing an effective solution.
Same Toyota Avalon cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration during parking and low-speed driving
Vehicle suddenly accelerates without driver input while stopped at traffic lights, shifting into park, backing into parking spaces, or maneuvering at very low speeds (under 5 mph). Brake pedal depression fails to stop or substantially slow the vehicle.
When: At various mileages: 300, 45,000, 14,400 miles; also early ownership (7 months old, 3 occurrences)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward or backward acceleration while brake pedal depressed; Vehicle accelerates while driver shifts to park; Inability to stop despite hard brake application; Vehicle 'jumps' forward when shifting from neutral back to drive; Acceleration described as 'rocket-like'; Master warning light activation in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose; Toyota engineer test drives concluded vehicle performs to specification. Vehicle not repaired in multiple cases. In one case, damage assessed at $7,000 by insurance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated the vehicle was performing to specification after engineer test drive. No repairs authorized or offered. One recall (15V728) for pre-collision system was issued but remedy delayed; when system was disabled as 'solution,' it left vehicle without collision mitigation.
Laser/dynamic radar cruise control false activation and disengagement
Adaptive cruise control disengages or applies brakes on clear, straight highway sections with no vehicles present. Dashboard indicates false vehicle detection (phantom car ahead). System also suddenly accelerates above set speed. Events occur in clear weather and light rain conditions.
When: Intermittent; typically after 2–3 hours of highway driving. Can recur multiple times during single trip. One incident noted 7 days after initial event. Another cluster occurred 5 days apart.
Symptoms owners cite: Series of beeps followed by gradual or abrupt slowing; Dashboard shows vehicle ahead when none present (false positive); Sudden acceleration above 65 mph set speed on clear interstate; Wipers suddenly activate at high speed; Master warning light activation; Cruise control cannot be reset; requires 1–2 hours manual or standard cruise driving before adaptive cruise resets
Codes mentioned: Defect code for laser cruise detected at Salt Lake City dealer, Defect code for blind spot monitoring (related system)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer in Salt Lake City identified defect codes but deemed car safe to drive only without cruise. Blind spot monitoring apparently repaired but laser cruise persisted. No parts or specific repair costs cited by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota factory representative drove car 25 miles, stated behavior is 'the way laser cruise is supposed to work,' and refused to authorize repairs. Toyota corporate stated no record of similar problems. Pre-collision system was disabled as workaround, but adaptive cruise failures continued after disabling PCS.
General acceleration hesitation and surge
Vehicle hesitates or surges when accelerating from stop or during normal driving at highway speeds. One owner reports vehicle will not accelerate properly even at 65 mph highway speed (failure recurring at 200,000 miles).
When: At stop position and during normal highway driving (45 mph, 65 mph); recurring issue at 200,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation upon initial acceleration from stop (requires releasing and reapplying throttle); Sudden surge during acceleration; Inability to accelerate properly at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No repair costs or parts cited. Dealers stated vehicle performs to specification.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota stated no assistance available; engineer test drive confirmed vehicle performing to specification. Vehicle not repaired.
Cruise control system loss with check engine and stability light activation
Cruise control disengages while driving at highway speed; vehicle stability icon illuminates and check engine light flashes. Vehicle loses power and runs rough. Problem clears after engine restart.
When: October 3 and October 17, 2016, on Muskogee Turnpike near cell phone tower; occurs only westbound on that stretch
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control suddenly shuts off; Vehicle stability icon illuminates; Check engine light flashes; Engine loses power and runs rough; Problem resolves after vehicle restart
Codes mentioned: Vehicle stability code triggered, Check engine code triggered
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempt documented; vehicle recovered after restart.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 still drive my car. This happened at an office building outdoor parking lot. People standing outside the building…
I just purchased a 2013 Toyota avalon from carmax. During the next several days of driving I had observe the following. One. The rear window is distorted and will not come clean no matter what I attempt to use to be able to have a clear visibility. I also have noticed that while in a stop position, when beginning to accelerate the vehicle hesitates and I have to take my foot off the gas pedal and…
Takata recall a recall was made on this vehicle in octobert of 2015 replacement parts are not availble nearly had four bad accidents on a highway going to chicago the radar cruise control is supposed to slow the car when you get to close to the car in front of you. On certain occasion this does not happen.
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2013 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 20,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.