2013 Toyota Avalon air bags problems
This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.
Related recalls
- 20V024000 · Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
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 deployme…
Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“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 …”
NHTSA complaint · filed 06/06/2025
“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 SUSTATINE…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 12/28/2020 · crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN AIR BAG ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE COLLISION AND WAS THE MIDDLE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES AND HIS WIFE WHO WAS THE PASSENGER SUSTAIN BRUISING. THE CONTACT STATED HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO MCDANIEL TOYOTA (1111 MT VERNON AVE, MARION, OH 43302) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF A DIAGNOSTI…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 06/25/2020 · crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 05/18/2020
“THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FROM A SPECIFIC SUPPLIER DESIGNED TO RECEIVE SIGNALS FROM CRASH SENSORS AND DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS. THE ECU MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION AGAINST CERTAIN ELECTRICAL NOISE THAT CAN OCCUR IN CERTAIN CRASHES, SUCH AS SEVERE UNDERRIDE CRASHES. THIS CAN LEAD TO INCOMPLETE OR NONDEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS AND/OR SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 03/29/2020
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER SUNRISE TOYOTA LOCATED AT (3984 SUNRISE HWY, OAKDALE, NY 11769 (631) 589-9000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF …”
NHTSA complaint · filed 03/24/2020
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT DURING THE IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIGHT HAND, MULTIPLE LACERATIONS ON HIS FOREHEAD THAT REQUIRED 29 STITCHES, NECK PAIN, WHIPLASH, AND A CONCUSSION. THE …”
NHTSA complaint · filed 10/09/2019 · crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE CONTACT PASSED OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPD…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 01/13/2015 · crash
Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.
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- How common are 2013 Toyota Avalon air bags problems?
- 17 owners reported air bags issues to NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota Avalon, 7 involving a crash. Counts scale with how many were sold.
- Is there a recall for 2013 Toyota Avalon air bags problems?
- Yes — campaign 20V024000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.