RoadVitals

2013 Toyota Avalon Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Sep 21, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 137 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Toyota Avalon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Sep 21, 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
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 24, 2021

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
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2020

02/06/2020 NHTSA COMPLAINT: 2013 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID LIMITED, REAR WINDOW SUNSHADE ASSEMBLY FAILURE, COMPLETE AND TOTAL, IN THE 'UP' POSITION AND/OR IN THE 'DOWN' POSITION. WHEN STUCK UP, THE FAILURE OBSTRUCTS REAR VIEW AT NIGHTTIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE SUNSHADE IS DESIGNED TO AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT INTO THE 'DOWN' POSITION WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE, BUT IF THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE SUNSHADE WILL MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND FOR ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS WHILE THE SUNSHADE ATTEMPTS (AND FAILS) TO RETRACT INTO THE 'DOWN' POSITION. IT WILL ALSO MAKE THE SOUND EVEN IF THE SUNSHADE IS ALREADY RETRACTED. IF THE SHADE IS ALREADY DOWN/RETRACTED AND I SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE GRINDING NOISE STARTS IMMEDIATELY, AND THE SHADE DOES NOT MOVE (GO UP). BUT IF I PRESS THE ACTIVATE BUTTON, THE SHADE WILL START TO EXTEND, AND IF I CAN PRESS THE ACTIVATE BUTTON AGAIN BEFORE THE SHADE IS FULLY EXTENDED, IT WILL RETRACT (AND BEGIN ANOTHER 20 SECOND CYCLE OF GRINDING) AND STAY DOWN. WHILE STOPPED OR IN MOTION, PRESSING THE ACTIVATE BUTTON RAISES THE SHADE (IF IT WAS DOWN OR RETRACTED), BUT NOT WITHOUT THE 20 SECONDS OF LOUD GRINDING NOISE. IF THE SHADE IS UP/EXTENDED AND YOU PRESS THE ACTIVATE BUTTON, THE SHADE WILL NOT RETRACT/GO DOWN, BUT THE GRINDING NOISE WILL BEGIN. IF THE SHADE IS UP/EXTENDED THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT GO DOWN IS TO PRESS THE ACTIVATE BUTTON AND, WHILE THE GRINDING NOISE IS PRESENT, SIMULTANEOUSLY GO TO THE BACK SEAT SO YOU CAN REACH THE SHADE AND MANUALLY PUSH ONE OF THE VERTICAL BARS TOWARD THE CENTER; THEN THE SHADE RETRACTS FULLY AND CONTINUES GRINDING FOR ANOTHER 20 SECOND CYCLE. NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT IS CONTINUOUS AND THE GRINDING NOISE IS INCREDIBLY ANNOYING.

NHTSA ID
11307524
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 5, 2019

ECU AND PCS SWITCH TO CONTROL VEHICLE'S SPEED, WILL SUDDENLY REDUCE SPEED ON HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC ( VERY DANGEROUS) AND VEHICLE WILL ALMOST COME TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING! WARRANTY REPAIRED ON 7-26-16 AT DEALERSHIP, DOING SAME THING AGAIN, SAID NOT COVERED UNDER ORIGINAL RECALL VEHICLE, WARRANTY EXPIRED. HELP...DANGEROUS SITUATION, VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX...SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE...ADVISE PLEASE. VEHICLE BEING OPERATED ON BUSY HIGHWAY STARTED MED AUGUST O PRESENT 1/01/19 ON-GOING, BACK TO DEALER +++TIMES+++

NHTSA ID
11165368
Incident
Aug 8, 2018
Mileage
55,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Sep 29, 2017

THE REAR POWER SUNSHADE, WHICH IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE LIMITED MODEL, RAISES ON ITS OWN AND WON'T GO BACK DOWN CAUSING LOW VISIBILITY. THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY LOWER IT EITHER

NHTSA ID
11030445
Incident
Sep 6, 2016
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10956469
Incident
Sep 19, 2015
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE PCS ACTIVATED AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE PCS SYSTEM DEACTIVATED, THE CONTACT HAD IT REACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10855685
Incident
Apr 15, 2016
Electrical
Filed Dec 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V728000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. .....UPDATED 02/11/16 *BF... UPDATED 05/14/18*JB *CN

NHTSA ID
10811895
Incident
Nov 25, 2015
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 9, 2015

MY 2013 TOYOTA AVALON WIRING HARNESS WAS CHEWED ON BY A RODENT . IT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE RUNNING OF THE VEHICLE , THE TRACTION CONTROL , THE CRUISE CONTROL AND WAS OPERATING ON 5 CYLINDERS . THE DEALERS REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT A RODENT EAT THROUGH THE WIRES AND TOYOTA WOULD NOT WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM . THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY NEXT TO ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT THAT IS A 2006 AND HAS NEVER BEEN CHEWED . I HAVE DRIVEN TOYOTA'S SINCE 1988 AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TO HAPPEN . I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE IF THEY ARE PUTTING ANY TYPE EDIBLE PRODUCT IN THE VEHICLES THEY PRODUCE .

NHTSA ID
10781166
Incident
Mar 17, 2015
Mileage
15,000 mi
ElectricalSteeringVisibility
Filed Sep 1, 2014
Fire reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND BEGAN TO OPERATE AT FULL SPEED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND AT ATTEMPTS TO STOP THEM. THE HORN STARTED GOING OFF WITH ALARM NOISES IN THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL ODOR AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO ENTER THE CABIN THROUGH THE DASH. ATTEMPTS TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WERE PREVENTED AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND OR WORK DESPITE STEPPING ON THEM WITH BOTH FEET AND ATTEMPTING TO PUMP THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AND DOWN A HILL WITH NO ELECTRICAL, STEERING, OR POWER FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED THE PASSENGER JUMPED OUT. FIRE BEGAN TO COME THROUGH THE DASH AND UPON THE DRIVER OPENING HIS DOOR FIRE ALSO CAME INTO THE CABIN FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER JUMPED OUT JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAREENED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND EXPLODED 3 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629931
Incident
Aug 24, 2014
Mileage
1,800 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 30, 2014

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA, MARCH 2014 REGARDING INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUITING OF THE INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ON THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. CONTACT TOYOTA SEPT 2014 REGARDING WHEN THIS WOULD BE FIXED. THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT KNOW. I BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THAT BEING 7 MONTHS FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER. I AM FILLING A VEHICULAR SAFETY COMPLAINT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER WHICH COULD CAUSE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS OR SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS CAUSING INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629562
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Apr 22, 2014

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2014 AND EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY HVAC ASSEMBLY REPAIRED THEY TELL ME THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING ME AND MY SAFETY AT RISK BY NOT PRODUCING A FIX FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10584112
Incident
Apr 21, 2014
Mileage
14,200 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Dec 30, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT) AND THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10557690
Incident
Dec 6, 2013
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 21, 2013

RE:REPORT RECEIPT DATE: OCT 17, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT TOYOTA NEEDS TO CORRECT THE DEFECTIVE DRAIN LINE. THE CONDENSATE THAT IS NOT DRAINING OUT OF THE EVAPORATOR IS ENCOURAGING THE GROWTH OF MOLD IN THE EVAPORATOR WITH AN ACCOMPANYING OBNOXIOUS ODOR. COULD THE MOLD BE A TOXIC MOLD? THE ROOT PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548745
Incident
May 29, 2013
Mileage
500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .