Toyota

Avalon (XX40)

2013-2018 · Full-Size Sedan · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.5)
705 NHTSA Complaints
10 Recalls
7 Fire Reports
77 Crash Reports
Includes data from: AVALONAVALON HYBRID
View all 4 generations of the Toyota Avalon → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

2AR-FXE+2JM

2.5L 4-cyl / 156 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.5)
197 complaints 38.8 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
68
safety systems
39
body
27
brakes
25
electrical
19

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (39 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (27 complaints)
Brakes Issues (25 complaints)

1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Toyota Avalon regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (39 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Body/Trim Issues (27 complaints)
body critical
Brakes Issues (25 complaints)
brakes critical
Electrical System Issues (19 complaints)
electrical critical
Interior Issues (10 complaints)
interior critical

Recalls (10)

20V024000Jan 16, 2020serious
Air Bags

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.

20V012000Jan 12, 2020serious
Fuel System

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 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

17V295000Feb 4, 2017serious
Tires

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.

16V906000Dec 15, 2016serious
Air Bags

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.

16V215000Apr 13, 2016serious
Air Bags

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."

15V728000Mar 10, 2015serious
Forward Collision Avoidance

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.

14V576000Sep 18, 2014serious
Fuel System

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.

14V715000Jul 10, 2014serious
Suspension

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.

13V505000Oct 16, 2013serious
Visibility

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."

13V442000Oct 16, 2013serious
Electrical System

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.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon problems?

The 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon has accumulated 705 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Body/Trim, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Toyota Avalon engine is most reliable?

The 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon a good used car?

The 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 705 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon have?

The 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon has 705 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon?

There are 10 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Toyota Avalon?

Before buying a used Toyota Avalon, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Body/Trim, Brakes, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Avalon have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2013-2018 Toyota Avalon. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 705 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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