Recall 13V442 affects 802,769 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, Camry, and Venza vehicles for water-damaged airbag modules. Repair is free at a franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 802,769 2012-2013 Avalon, Camry, and Venza vehicles because a clogged air conditioning drain hose can let water reach the air bag control module. A short circuit can disable the air bags, trigger an unintended deployment, or make power steering assist inoperable, and the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The air conditioning drain hose on 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, Camry, and Venza vehicles carries condensation out of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. That housing collects water as the system cools and dries cabin air. The drain hose is supposed to move that water outside the vehicle instead of letting it sit inside the dash area.
In affected vehicles, the drain hose can clog. When that happens, water builds up at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The water can leak through a joint in the housing and reach the air bag control module, which is the computer that helps manage air bag operation. Water on that module can create a short circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, see, or feel a clear symptom before water reaches the module, so the VIN check and dealer repair path matter more than waiting for a dashboard warning.
Who's affected?
Spans Avalon, Camry, and Venza vehicles across the 2012 and 2013 model years; each model is tied to the air conditioner, air bag system, and electrical system.
| 2013 Toyota Avalon | Air conditioner |
|---|---|
| 2013 Toyota Avalon | air bag system |
| 2013 Toyota Avalon | electrical system |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | Air conditioner |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | air bag system |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | electrical system |
| 2013 Toyota Camry | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Toyota Camry | air bag system |
| 2013 Toyota Camry | electrical system |
| 2012 Toyota Avalon | Air conditioner |
| 2012 Toyota Avalon | air bag system |
| 2012 Toyota Avalon | electrical system |
| 2012 Toyota Venza | Air conditioner |
| 2012 Toyota Venza | air bag system |
| 2012 Toyota Venza | electrical system |
| 2013 Toyota Venza | Air conditioner |
| 2013 Toyota Venza | air bag system |
| 2013 Toyota Venza | electrical system |
| Units affected | 802,769 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A short circuit can disable the air bags or trigger an unintended deployment, raising injury risk and crash risk. Power steering assist can also stop working, which makes low speed steering harder and increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, Camry, or Venza is included in this recall.
- Review Toyota's February 5, 2014 owner notice if you received one, or ask Toyota customer service for the notice tied to your VIN.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask whether the free repair is open for your VIN.
- Ask for the air-conditioning condenser housing seal and airbag control module cover, which stops water from shorting the module.
- Reference recall number 13V442 when you call the dealer or Toyota customer service.
- Drive with extra care until Toyota confirms the repair status for your VIN, especially if steering effort changes or an airbag warning appears.
What happens at the repair
Toyota's dealer repair is to seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the airbag control module. The source remedy says Toyota began owner notification on February 5, 2014, but the current remedy status in this record is not marked available. Once the dealer repair is available for your VIN, a Toyota technician performs the sealing work and cover installation at no charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| October 17, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V442?
Recall 13V442 covers 802,769 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, Camry, and Venza vehicles with an air-conditioning drain hose problem. Water can collect in the condenser housing, leak onto the air bag control module, and cause air bag or power steering problems.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, Camry, or Venza is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V442. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the repair. Toyota dealers seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing and install a protective cover on the air bag control module for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Toyota's remedy says dealers will perform this repair free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V442?
The safety risk is disabled or unintended air bag deployment, plus loss of power steering assist. Toyota reported that an unintended air bag deployment increases injury risk or crash risk, an inoperative air bag increases injury risk in a severe crash, and loss of steering assist increases crash risk at low speeds.
What if I bought my Toyota Avalon, Camry, or Venza used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your exact 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, Camry, or Venza is included, then reference recall 13V442 when you call a Toyota dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V442000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V442 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V442000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →