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2013 Toyota

Avalon

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, 3-mode (Power/Normal/Eco) Transmission

Toyota Avalon: best and worst years

Overview

Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

Power to weight
0.075 hp/lb
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
5/10
Real-world MPG
28.8 mpg, reported by 2 driversabout 4.8 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

GVWR class
Class 1 (6,000 lb or less)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
4
Owner complaints
160 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
21
Theft rate
0.8 per 1,000 produced (CY 2013 federal data)

Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

20V024000 Jan 17, 2020 AIR BAGSToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid…

Summary: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 2,891,976

Full notice
15V728000 Nov 3, 2015 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 19, 2012 to…

Summary: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 30,812

Full notice
13V505000 Oct 17, 2013 VISIBILITYToyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc.

Summary: 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.

Vehicles covered (all models): 9,795

Full notice
13V442000 Oct 17, 2013 EQUIPMENT; AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEMToyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles.

Summary: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry, and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence: A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Vehicles covered (all models): 802,769

Full notice

Source: NHTSA

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • STRUCTURE13%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER12%
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12%
  • VISIBILITY/WIPER10%
  • AIR BAGS8%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 214 total.

Toyota Avalon: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP23005Openopened Nov 22, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

    Brake Actuator Valve Wear

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

  • DP19004opened Sep 30, 2019SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

    Brake Actuator Valve Wear

  • EA19001opened Apr 19, 2019AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

    Electrical overstress

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

317 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Feb 13, 2026ENGINET-SB-0119-15 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

  • Feb 13, 2026ENGINET-SB-0009-26

    This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual references the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) charger.

  • Jan 7, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERT-SB-0055-24 Rev2

    Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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 and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual a

  • Jun 13, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMT-SB-0058-23 Rev1

    The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

  • Dec 6, 2024STRUCTURE:BODYT-SB-0039-24 Rev2

    The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the

  • Dec 6, 2024STRUCTURE:BODYT-SB-0038-24 Rev2

    To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

  • Dec 6, 2024STRUCTURE:BODYT-SB-0035-24 Rev2

    Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cann

  • Dec 5, 2024STRUCTURE:BODYT-SB-0061-23 Rev2

    Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

  • and 309 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
2 yr
Maintenance
2 yr / 25k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 150k mi

Source: www.toyota.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.