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2013 Toyota Avalon

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Toyota Avalon
Pictured: 2019 Toyota Avalon XSE in Ruby Flare Pearl, Front Right, 09-05-2022. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
Xle/Limited 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
40 combined · 40 city / 39 hwy
Length
195.3 in
Curb weight
3,572 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 58% better than the average 2013 midsize car (25.3 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 195 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,572 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 40 MPG combined (40 city / 39 highway), 58% better than the 2013 midsize car average of 25.3 MPG, for an estimated $1,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2013

  • New hybrid version
  • Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 40

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Avalon →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Xle/Limited 4dr Sedan195.3 in72.4 in57.5 in111 in62.6 / 62.2 in3,572 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Avalon Hybrid Hybrid2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S6)Front-Wheel Drive40 / 39 / 40+58%$1,700224
Avalon3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 25-1%$2,700361
Avalon3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24-5%$2,800365
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $3,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.3 MPG2013 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Toyota Avalon.

Similar 2013 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Toyota Avalon (this car)40 MPGNot rated4
2013 Ford Mustang23 MPG★★★★★5
2013 Honda Accord30 MPGNot rated6
2013 Chevrolet Impala22 MPGNot rated1
2013 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated2
2013 Chevrolet Camaro22 MPGNot rated3
2013 Dodge Charger23 MPGNot rated9

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jan 17, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V024000 · 2,891,976 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking · Nov 3, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V728000 · 30,812 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner · Oct 17, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V442000 · 802,769 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring · Oct 17, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V505000 · 9,795 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Toyota Avalon is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

103Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
12Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
12Injuries reported
45,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other24
Vehicle Speed Control17
Visibility/Wiper15
Forward Collision Avoidance11
Air Bags9
Electrical System9
Service Brakes8
Structure › Body7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/05: 220/06: 320/07: 120/10: 120/12: 221/01: 121/03: 121/12: 122/03: 122/04: 222/05: 123/02: 123/03: 123/09: 223/10: 123/12: 124/02: 324/06: 124/07: 124/12: 125/01: 125/06: 126/03: 126/06: 120/0520/1021/0322/0423/0323/1224/0725/06max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Toyota Avalon buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Vehicle Speed Control — 17 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  3. Visibility/Wiper — 15 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Forward Collision Avoidance — 11 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 45,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Avalon. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Avalon years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2022 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★08
2021 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★227
2020 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★410
2019 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★572
2018 Avalon40195.3 in★★★★★225
2017 Avalon40195.3 in★★★★★214
2016 Avalon40195.3 in★★★★★425
2015 Avalon40195.3 in★★★★★254
2014 Avalon40195.3 in★★★★★4100
2012 Avalon22197.2 inNot rated423
2011 Avalon23197.2 inNot rated162
2010 Avalon23197.2 inNot rated616

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →