2013 Toyota Avalon Owner Complaints

I am submitting this complaint to report a safety-related incident involving the moonroof glass on my 2013 Toyota Avalon. Vehicle Information: - Make: Toyota Avalon, 2013 - VIN: [XXX] - Mileage at time of incident: Approximately 120,000 miles While driving under normal road conditions, the moonroof glass on my 2013 Toyota Avalon suddenly shattered without warning and collapsed downward into the passenger compartment. There was no known impact from road debris, rocks, or any other external object. The incident startled me and created a potential safety hazard due to the sudden failure of the glass while the vehicle was in motion. Immediately after the incident, I documented the damage by taking photographs of the shattered moonroof. The photographs do not show an obvious impact point, bullseye fracture, or other visible indication typically associated with a rock strike. I contacted Toyota's Brand Engagement Center and opened Case Number XXX. At Toyota's request, I presented the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealership, Group 1 Toyota Southwest Houston, for inspection. The dealership repair order documented my concern as follows: "SUNROOF SHATTERED ON ITS OWN CHECK AND ADVISE." The dealership did not identify a specific impact point, road debris strike, customer-caused damage, or provide a technical explanation for the failure. Toyota subsequently declined goodwill assistance based on the age and mileage of the vehicle but did not provide an explanation regarding the cause of the moonroof failure. I understand that my vehicle is outside of its warranty period. However, my purpose in filing this complaint is to report what I believe to be a potential safety issue involving the sudden failure of a vehicle component while driving. I respectfully request that NHTSA document this incident and review it along with any similar complaints involving the sudden failure of vehicle component. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11743934

Incident

May 10, 2026

Car into a brick wall, hit on front passenger side at 15 mph no airbag deployed.

NHTSA ID

11722855

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

he Occupant Detection System (ODS) in my 2013 Toyota Avalon has failed. The vehicle does not consistently detect an adult passenger in the front seat, and the “Passenger Airbag OFF” light remains illuminated, even when someone is seated properly. This means the airbag will not deploy in a crash, which is a serious safety risk for my passengers. I first noticed this issue several months ago. I took the car to a local certified repair shop, where they diagnosed a failure in the ODS sensor. I then brought it to a Toyota dealership for further inspection. The dealership confirmed the issue but required extra time and labor charges just to reach the same conclusion, even though I had already informed them of the diagnosis. Despite this being a clearly safety-critical system, I was told that no recall was active, and the repair cost would be entirely out-of-pocket, which is prohibitively expensive. As a result, the issue remains unresolved. There is a constant indicator light on the dash showing that the airbag system is deactivated when the passenger seat is occupied. To my knowledge, this issue has occurred in other Toyota models as well, and I believe this should be considered for a formal investigation and potential recall. It puts passengers at serious risk in the event of an accident and should not be a customer’s financial responsibility when it involves airbag functionality.

NHTSA ID

11665425

Incident

Feb 5, 2022

1) System Failure: Back window shade. It is available for inspection at any time. 2) Safety of me and others put at risk: When the shade is down I can not see out the back window posing a significant risk to those behind me particularly pedestrians 3) Has problem been reproduced: Yes 4) Has the component been inspected: No the motor operating the shade has not been inspected 5) Warnings prior to system failure: None Description: The window shade is meant to automatically retract out of sight when the transmission is placed in reverse. It does not retract at all. It stays fully extended covering the entire back window. This problem drastically impairs my ability to see out the back window at all. While being a problem at all times driving the vehicle it is particularly problematic when backing up at night; you simply can not see anyone behind you backing out of a parking space in a mall for example.

NHTSA ID

11633747

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

Straps, yes The straps do not stay tight and do not keep my child restrained Yes After checking the straps on the car seat they become loose no longer restraining my child in her seat

NHTSA ID

11632229

Incident

Dec 22, 2024

There is a very strong musty smell. 80% of the time it's when I turn on AC. 20% just at random driving times. Whenever car has sat longer then a few hours with all windows up. When open doors is has very musty smell. I have done everything to do with cleaning vehicle. This is a hybrid I'm a lil scared when it comes to electrical fire . Do to this musty smell. That means there is some type of fluid gathering somewhere. So what does Toyota plan on doing?

NHTSA ID

11599833

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

I have a smell of moldy old water what is going on ? Why is water filling up in my trunk? What do my head lights bulb keep going out? WHY HAVEN'T YOU GUYS DONE ANYTHING? For real I have a darn battery in my trunk come on. I already had to purchase a battery .

NHTSA ID

11594045

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Rear window shade stuck in 'UP' position, cannot see out the rearview mirror, especially at night. Makes for very dangerous driving.

NHTSA ID

11573876

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

SIDEWALL TIRE FAILED AFTER 3 MONTHS. NO HAZARD ON ROADWAY, SIDEWALL SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH CAUSING CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL WITH NEAR ACCIDENT. AFTER INSPECTING TIRE IT APPEARS TO HAVE VERY LITTLE MATERIAL DEPTH INDICATING A DEFECT BY MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID

11572684

Incident

Feb 18, 2024

I recently took my car in for maintenance and I was offered a complimentary car wash. 1 week after the wash, I noticed there were cloth fibers stuck between the rear side body panels. When i pulled them out, there was evidence of rust and corrosion right underneath. I suspected the cloth fibers were from the dealership's car wash so i contacted them. They confirmed the fibers are from their machine but claimed the rust is caused by a pre-existing problem (there is a small gap between the side body that was noted in the pre-inspections), when asked if the rust was noted during pre-inspections as well, they refused to answer my question. There was no evidence of rust or corrosion on the car before this incident and there are other fibers stuck in the side body panels as well which i haven't taken out yet. I have previously taken my car through car washes but this incident has never happened before. Toyota's service center refuses to look into the matter further.

NHTSA ID

11572140

Incident

Jan 25, 2024

I have a tacky dashboard which has a glare on the dashboard hindering vision while driving. I understand is a recall however not for 2013 avalons. I’m a senior which make more difficult for to drive my care comfortably. I would like Toyota to approve the repair for my car. I’ve been a loyal customer for 25 years Sincerly

NHTSA ID

11558920

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

The Cylinder head gasket in the engine has failed and is now leaking coolant under the body of the car. This has been inspected by a certified Toyota Dealership and has been maintained by one since we bought the car. There were no warning signs or problems with the car other than feeling off (sounding slightly different than normal) so we went to get an oil change and inspection done on the vehicle. This car was just serviced three months prior for regular maintenance and the vehicle had no indicated issues at that time and was inspected again by the same Toyota Dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection. This issue seems to have started very suddenly without warning and will cause severe engine damage in my vehicle if not replaced soon.

NHTSA ID

11548840

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

I have a electrical issue going on with the driver side headlight. I have had to change the headlight over 3 times now . Seems to go out with in a month or two. While doing my own research Toyota has also changed the light bulb for the old owner more then 3 times. It has only been the driver side headlight that is being affected. I'm a lil worried that at any time a electrical fire or something else bad will happen. So at this time i haven't had new bulb installed. I'm just to nervous. So it's hard at times to see at night fall when driving. The contact stated there is some water buildup underneath the tire in the trunk. The water is entering somehow near the back top right inside and ending in the very bottom of my truck under the tire. There is water damage on the top right corner of of the panel on the inside.

NHTSA ID

11545804

Incident

Sep 21, 2020

Water is filling up in my trunk not sure how it is getting in . Have noticed a lil water stains along back top of lining. I started smelling a stail water smell when I found a puddle of water under my spare tire . Im extremely worried with winter coming again . Not to mention there is a battery locate in truck as well. So I feel completely unsafe. I have recently had noticed hybrid battery going from high to low then all of sudden died. Had to purchase a new battery. Please is this normal?someone help before it rains again and something terrible happens

NHTSA ID

11545799

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

I had a smell of old water in my vehicle while trying to figure out from where it was coming from .I noticed in left and right rear ceiling quarter panels both wet and had water damage. Then I opened my trunk and it also had the same stale water smell. Under the spare tire on the very bottom of trunk there was at least 2 gallons of stale water. I have not had this looked at by the dealer or a mechanic. Do to it being a hybrid im very worried do to electrical components near the rear back seats where leak stains and water is . Also in my trunk is a hybrid battery next to were water was filling up. There's no damage to anything on the vehicle inside or out the vehicle has not been in no accidents. I'm available upon request for inspections. I have provided pictures of damage on rear ceiling panels . Thank you and I look forward to hearing from someone as soon as possible

NHTSA ID

11511354

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

The rear window spontaneously shattered into little fragments of glass and fell into the backseat section of the vehicle. This happened once while parked at work in a gated lot and security camera with motion sensors caught the incident happening on video. Temperature was in the high 80 F, and happened in August of 2022. After 5 months later the rear window shattered again while parked on driveway. Safety of anyone in the back seat is at risk due to sharp glass. Unable to convince the dealer this is a factory defect. Manufacturer said they can do a visual inspection but in realty results will be pointless since the car have not been in any accident. No warning appeared before rear window shattered.

NHTSA ID

11505008

Incident

Jan 29, 2023

The moonroof area has rattling noise at speeds exceeding 60 mph. A similar rattling noise is also noted from the driver side A pillar of the car at all driving speeds.

NHTSA ID

11464392

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

The contact owns a Goodyear Tire. Tire Line: Assurance Max Life, Tire Size: 225/45/VR18. The contact stated that he noticed the front driver's side tire had a big bubble on the sidewall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The tire was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The tire mileage was 6,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11461433

Incident

Apr 16, 2022

Rear window sunscreen (dark black) stuck in the up position. Poor visibility during night driving with the curtain stuck in the upright position. This has always had this problem and Toyota has not solution.

NHTSA ID

11461254

Incident

Nov 15, 2014

The sun shade in the rear back malfunctions. When it malfunctions you are unable to visibility see when backing up due to the sun shade being in the way which put other people at risk for safety when backing up. Also when this piece malfunctions it makes a gridding nose which can cause a wreck if the person is unaware of the noise in the car while backing up. This function has been looked at by a Toyota Dealer ship which would result of owner paying over $1000.00 to get it fixed or even disabled. There are no warnings regarding the malfunction besides a loud noise while backing up when not functioning properly.

NHTSA ID

11458601

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY AFTER TAKING MY DAD ABOUT 45 MINS AWAY WAS DRIVING AS USUAL AND THE CAR DIED HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD PUT IN PARK AND RESTART. HAS DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES AFTER WE HAVE HAD IN AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE. SENT ME HOME WITH AN UNSAFE CAR FOR THE 4TH TIME. TRIED TAKING CAR BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT AS ISSUE HAPPENED ON FEB 6 21 AND I PURCHASED ON JAN 27 21 GOING TO CHANGE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEXT WEEK AND SEE IF THATS WHAT IT IS. PLEASE HELP I AM STUCK WITH A 23000 LOAN FOR A CAR I CANT DRIVE SAFELY OR CONFIDENTLY!

NHTSA ID

11404730

Incident

Feb 6, 2021

Mileage

117,000 mi

THE REAR SUN SHADE WHICH EXTENDS AND RETRACTS TO COVER THE BACK WINDOW OF MY AVALON HAS A FAULT WHICH CAUSES IT TO GET STUCK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION, COVERING THE REAR WINDOW. THIS DRASTICALLY REDUCES THE VISIBILITY OUT THE REAR WINDOW AND THERE IS NO OBVIOUS OR SIMPLE FIX FOR THE ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. BEFORE THE SHADE GOT STUCK, IT WOULD RANDOMLY EXTEND OR RETRACT DURING HOT DAYS, WHICH SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A FAULTY RELAY. THIS IS CLEARLY A POOR DESIGN WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND ANYONE BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHILE BACKING UP.

NHTSA ID

11387022

Incident

Aug 4, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSSED THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE AHEAD STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE STOP BUT THE VEHICLE BEHIND HIM WAS UNABLE TO STALLED CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF VEHICLE. WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT OF THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT VEHICLE TO RUN IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AHEAD OF HIM. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FROM VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTATINED BACK PAIN, AND BUMP ON THE HEAD AND NECK STRAIN , THE CONTACT DAUGHTER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURY AND HIS SON HAD TOOTH INJURY CAUSING BLEEDING FROM THE MOUTH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER INJURIES FROM THE OTHER DRIVERS. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE WAS RECEIVED AT THE SCENE BUT THE CONTACT DECLINE GOING TO THE HOSPTIAL TIL THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHILCE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOSS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11385335

Incident

Dec 17, 2020

Mileage

132,000 mi

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 REAPPLY TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE A SEVEN DAY RETURN POLICY NO QUESTIONS ASKED. BUT I REALLY LOVE THIS CAR IN BEEN WAITING TO FIND THAT PARTICULAR COLOR EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR WHICH IS BLACK LEATHER. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL OR OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS.

NHTSA ID

11384856

Incident

Dec 22, 2020

CAR STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT OR SLIPPAGE WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED. IT THEN BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER NORTHTOWN TOYOTA AMHERST, NY AND THEY CHANGED THE FLUID AND UPDATED SOFTWARE. CAR RAN OK FOR 2 WKS, THEN STARTED SLIPPING AGAIN A FEW TIMES PER WEEK WITH A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED. TOOK CAR INTO CONTINENTAL TRANSMISSION 909 HERTLE AVE, BUFFALO NY WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND PULLED THE TRANSMISSION OUT AND FOUND THAT THE UTILITY PUMP HAD FAILED AND THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE GEARS AND OTHER PARTS. OPTIONS WERE A REBUILD ($3800USD) OR REPLACEMENT NEW TRANSMISSION ($6200USD). CURRENTLY HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. CAR HAS 22,300 MILES ON IT, IS OUT OF WARRANTY (7 YRS OLD) AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REBUILT/REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11363708

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

22,300 mi