Toyota Avalon 2013–2018
4th generation (XX40) · GSX40 / AXXH40 (hybrid)
NHTSA data through 13 August 2026455 complaints, 283 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 283
- Median of reported failures
- 18,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Problems owners could not categorise (13.4%)
- Recalls
- 10
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 39% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Toyota Avalon 2013–2018 · 283 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 145 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 39% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (1.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 500
- 25%
- 4,000
- Median
- 17,515
- 75%
- 57,384
- 90%
- 90,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 145 | 51.2% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 40 | 14.1% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 28 | 9.9% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 19 | 6.7% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 28 | 9.9% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 15 | 5.3% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 2 | 0.7% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 1.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 455 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013–2018 Toyota Avalon, and 283 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
39% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are problems owners could not categorise (13.4% of complaints, typically around 26,000 miles), body structure (9.9% of complaints, typically around 6,000 miles), the airbag system (8.8% of complaints, typically around 34,000 miles).
10 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2013–2018 Toyota Avalon last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2013–2018 Toyota Avalon were filed by 18,000 miles and 90% by 90,000 miles — figures drawn from 283 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
5 reports (1.8%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Avalon reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2013–2018 Avalon: the 3-minute check
Generated from 283 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check hybrid system on 2013–2018 (hybrid) cars. First Avalon hybrid; hybrid battery and inverter-related complaints appear here for the first time in the nameplate's history but at low rates for the era.
- Check infotainment on 2013–2018 cars. Entune head unit failures and screen delamination are among the highest-frequency owner complaints for this generation, well ahead of powertrain items.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 39% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, problems owners could not categorise and body structure are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Body structure in particular shows a median failure mileage of 6,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Toyota Avalon 2013–2018
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Body structure45 reports6,000410–15,000Body structure: 45 reports, median 6,000 miles, middle half 410 to 15,000 miles.
- Electrical system35 reports15,0006,500–55,000Electrical system: 35 reports, median 15,000 miles, middle half 6,500 to 55,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control39 reports20,0004,000–82,000Throttle and speed control: 39 reports, median 20,000 miles, middle half 4,000 to 82,000 miles.
- Visibility/wiper32 reports24,0001,000–60,000Visibility/wiper: 32 reports, median 24,000 miles, middle half 1,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise61 reports26,00010,000–62,000Problems owners could not categorise: 61 reports, median 26,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 62,000 miles.
- Airbag system40 reports34,00015,000–75,000Airbag system: 40 reports, median 34,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 75,000 miles.
- Brakes32 reports40,00010,000–79,000Brakes: 32 reports, median 40,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 79,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 61 | 13.4% | 26,000 | 10,000–62,000 |
| Body structure | 45 | 9.9% | 6,000 | 410–15,000 |
| Airbag system | 40 | 8.8% | 34,000 | 15,000–75,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 39 | 8.6% | 20,000 | 4,000–82,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 36 | 7.9% | — | — |
| Electrical system | 35 | 7.7% | 15,000 | 6,500–55,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 32 | 7.0% | 24,000 | 1,000–60,000 |
| Brakes | 32 | 7.0% | 40,000 | 10,000–79,000 |
| Engine | 18 | 4.0% | 18,000 | 15,000–57,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 17 | 3.7% | 7,000 | 450–11,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Toyota Avalon 2013–2018 · 283 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 1.8% of reports (5) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
75% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Body structure — median 6,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 15,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 24,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 10,000–62,000 mi
- Airbag system — middle half 15,000–75,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 4,000–82,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 10,000–79,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
89% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 26,000 mi
- Body structure — median 6,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 34,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 20,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 15,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 24,000 mi
- Brakes — median 40,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
97% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 26,000 mi
- Body structure — median 6,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 34,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 20,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 15,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 24,000 mi
- Brakes — median 40,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 17,515 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 13.4% of complaints (61 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 26,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 62,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 9.9% of complaints (45 reports, 27 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 6,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 410 and 15,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 8.8% of complaints (40 reports, 20 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 34,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 75,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 8.6% of complaints (39 reports, 27 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 20,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,000 and 82,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.7% of complaints (35 reports, 21 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 15,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,500 and 55,000 miles.
Visibility/wiper accounts for 7.0% of complaints (32 reports, 20 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 24,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,000 and 60,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 187 complaints — while 2018 drew the fewest at 31. The median year sits at 64.
That makes 2013 an outlier: roughly 2.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (3), the fuel system (2), the tyres (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 455 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 62 (13.6%)
- Fires
- 6
- Injury reports
- 41
- Fatality reports
- 5
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Hybrid System 2013–2018 (hybrid)
First Avalon hybrid; hybrid battery and inverter-related complaints appear here for the first time in the nameplate's history but at low rates for the era.
Infotainment 2013–2018
Entune head unit failures and screen delamination are among the highest-frequency owner complaints for this generation, well ahead of powertrain items.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 187 | 118 |
| 2014 | 123 | 80 |
| 2015 | 64 | 36 |
| 2016 | 33 | 25 |
| 2017 | 17 | 6 |
| 2018 | 31 | 18 |
Recalls (10) — is your car included?
May 2020 · 2018 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014
What can happen. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Mar 2020 · 2013–2018 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase…
The 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free 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.
Jun 2017 · 2017 · TiresA spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
What can happen. A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
Feb 2017 · 2016 · Air BagsIf the air bag was installed with incorrect fasteners, the fasteners may become loose over time, affecting…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon, and 2017 Camry vehicles manufactured August 3, 2016, to September 12, 2016. The front passenger knee air bag module may have been attached to the lower instrument panel with incorrect fasteners.
What can happen. If the air bag was installed with incorrect fasteners, the fasteners may become loose over time, affecting the air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fasteners, and if necessary, replace the instrument panel brace and body bracket and reattach the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G05.
Jul 2016 · 2013–2015 · Forward Collision AvoidanceA vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What can happen. A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
May 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsAir bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Avalon and Camry vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015 to March 4, 2016. The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been improperly calibrated. As a result, the front passenger air bag and the front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
What can happen. Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall began by May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.
Dec 2014 · 2014 · SuspensionBecause of the insufficient clamping force, the lower arm may separate from the ball joint, increasing the…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Camry, Camry HV, Avalon, and Avalon HV vehicles equipped with 16-inch and 17-inch rims. In the affected vehicles, the left-side front suspension lower arm may have been incorrectly manufactured. As a result, the left side lower arm may not have enough clamping surface area for one of the bolts that secures the lower arm to the lower ball joint.
What can happen. Because of the insufficient clamping force, the lower arm may separate from the ball joint, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left side lower arm, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Nov 2014 · 2014 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Feb 2014 · 2013 · EquipmentA short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Nov 2013 · 2013 · VisibilityA short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk…
The 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."
What can happen. A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
What owners reported
Sunlight is reflected into the eyes of the driver and front seat passenger from the interior trim. This bright reflection not only makes it difficult to see at times, the sunlight can cause damage to the retina and cornea. The light comes from many different parts of the car so it is impossible to constantly shield…
2013 · 75 miles · Visibility/wiper
There is a glare in the rear window that tends to always have a negative effect on visibility. I have never seen anything like this in my 40 years of driving and owning over 20 vehicles. It seems the angle of the window combined with the light gray rear deck material creates the distracting reflection/glare. At first…
2013 · 100 miles · Visibility/wiper
Road noise very loud and distracting. After some investigating on my own i found the problem was coming from the left and right outside mirrors. Took to dealer and they found no issues.So i came back home and did some research on internet and found others having same complaint. The mirror housings were changed on…
2013 · 100 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
Carbon monoxide (co) has been measured in the cabin of the car while driving, when the engine is under load. Also, the smell of engine combustion fumes is included with the co. Toyota has determined that it is not a "repairable condition". Technical repair manuals do not list the condition, therefore no repair has…
2013 · 100 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
Built from 283 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page