2013 Toyota Avalon Air Bags & Restraints Problems

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY INTO THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AL HENDRICKSON TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5201 W, FL-834, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

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 THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

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 CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

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 DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.*BF CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A BACK SURGERY AND AIRBAG FAILURE HAPPENED TWICE.*JB

2013 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID REQUESTING AIRBAGS TO BE REPLACED. *MW THE DEALER STATED THE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF AIR BAGS. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED OF A RECALL CONCERNING AN ISSUE WITH THE SEATS, BUT NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. *JB

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. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN

I PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE FROM CORWIN TOYOTA IN FARGO, ND. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I RETURNED THREE TIMES FOR REPAIRS. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE THE THIRD TIME IN SIX WEEKS I FOUND OUT THAT TWO RECALLS WOULD ALSO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I WENT ON LINE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE RECALLS WERE FOR. ONE OF THEM WAS NHTSA RECALL ID 13V442. THIS RECALL IS ABOUT A DRAIN HOSE CLOGGING THAT COULD ULTIMATELY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO ACTIVATE DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OR TO POSSIBLY NOT ACTIVATE IN AN ACCIDENT. THE RESULT COULD BE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. THIS RECALL WAS INITIATED IN THE SUMMER OF 2013. THE DEALER(CORWIN) TOOK THIS CAR IN ON TRADE IN OCTOBER OF 2014 AND THEN SOLD IT TO ME. WHY WOULD THEY SELL A CAR WITH A KNOWN RECALL WITHOUT FIXING IT. ESPECIALLY ONE THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH? WHY IS THIS ALLOWED? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A DRUNK DRIVER, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH THE VEHICLE INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND FRONT PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500.

ON SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2014, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:50PM, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON LAKE SHORE DRIVE WAS BROUGHT TO A HALT BY FOUR POLICE VEHICLES THAT SPREAD ACROSS THE FOUR NORTHBOUND LANES. THE POLICE VEHICLES WERE PARKED, ONE IN EACH LANE. THE OFFICERS HAD CREATED A ROAD BLOCK. MY CAR WAS IN THE FAR EAST LANE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND A PARKED POLICE VEHICLE. I PLACED MY VEHICLE IN PARK, BUT KEPT THE ENGINE RUNNING. MINUTES LATER, A BLACK CHRYSLER SEDAN DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED (ESTIMATED AT 55-100MPH PER POLICE REPORTS) WAS BEING PURSUED BY THE POLICE IN A HIGH SPEED CHASE. THE BLACK CHRYSLER APPROACHED MY STATIONARY VEHICLE FROM THE REAR WITH NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN. I TOLD MY FAMILY WE WERE ABOUT TO BE HIT AND SOON AFTER WE FELT THE IMPACTS FIRST FROM THE BLACK SEDAN HITTING US FROM BEHIND AND THEN FROM THE FRONT WHEN MY CAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE PARKED POLICE VEHICLE AHEAD OF US. MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING AN ABRASION AND BLEEDING. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DESPITE A HIGH SPEED IMPACT FROM THE REAR AND A SECONDARY IMPACT IN THE FRONT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V442000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT) BUT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT MAKE THE PARTS AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE HUNG UP WHEN PULLED OUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE SEAT LATCH. WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE COMPARTMENT IN THE VEHICLE BODY. HANGING LOOSE. WILL NOT ADJUST TO YOUR BODY. WOULD NOT LOCK UP IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR