VehicleVerdict

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid carries two red flags at once: 30 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 15.0× the Avalon Hybrid norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Brake Actuator Valve Wear). It is one of the Avalon Hybrid years to avoid.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (5), other (4), and airbags (3), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

30

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

4

Investigations · 1 open

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Avalon Hybrid years?

Avalon Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted30 complaints2013: 30 complaints2014: 21 complaints2015: 19 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 0 complaints
Avalon Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance517%
Other413%
Speed Control310%
Airbags310%
Seats310%
Fuel System27%
Electrical System27%
Body & Structure27%
Engine27%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Brakes13%
Lighting13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V024000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 2,891,976 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

15V728000Driver AssistanceNovember 3, 2015 · 30,812 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

13V505000Visibility & WipersOctober 17, 2013 · 9,795 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

DP23005

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 16, 2015

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 15, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A DRUNK DRIVER, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH THE VEHICLE INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND FRONT PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND RECEIVED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 7, 2014 · crash

“2013 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION VEHICLE ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. LUCKILY, SHE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR ANYONE. HOWEVER, IT THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 1, 2014 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · December 1, 2014

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 30 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 10 Avalon Hybrid years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Avalon Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Avalon Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (5 complaints), other (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints).

Does the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Brake Actuator Valve Wear). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Toyota Avalon Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalon Hybrid years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among Avalon Hybrid years belongs to 2022.

How safe is the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.