Buy Toyota Avalon Side View Mirrors

Quick Rundown

Toyota built the Avalon from 1995 through 2022. Every generation uses an outside rear-view "side mirror" (also called a door mirror or wing mirror) that bolts to the front door with three 10 mm nuts, links to a wiring plug, and must meet U.S. rear-visibility rules in 49 CFR 571.111. Modern trims add heaters, turn-signal repeaters, auto-dimming glass, power-fold motors, and a Blind-Spot Monitor (BSM) lamp built into the glass. Replacing the assembly is a 30-minute DIY for most owners and costs about $728-$759 on late-model cars or $394-$408 on early 2000s models.

Fitment Guide

• Generations & years - 1st (1995-1999), 2nd (2000-2004), 3rd (2005-2012), 4th (2013-2018), 5th (2019-2022).
• Mounting points - All years keep the same triangular "sail" shape and three-stud pattern, but the plug style and feature count change between generations.
• Shared parts - 2000-2004 mirrors will not plug into 2005-2012 cars; the wiring and shape changed with the third generation.
• Paint codes - Mirrors are color-keyed to the door. Factory codes appear on the driver-door jamb sticker.

Key Features

Power Adjust & Heat

Power glass adjustment became standard in 2000. Heated glass is standard or optional on every trim from 2011 on.

Turn-Signal Repeaters

LED indicators built into the cap appeared for 2013 and remain through 2022.

Blind-Spot Monitor Lamp

Radar sensors in the rear bumper send an amber icon to the mirror when a car hides in the blind spot; the light flashes if the turn signal is on.

Auto-Dim & Memory

Limited-grade cars from 2016 forward add electro-chromic glass and seat-linked memory.

Power-Fold

Touring-grade 2019-2022 cars fold the wing mirrors at the press of a button or when locked.

Safety & Rules

• U.S. law requires a driver-side unit-magnification outside mirror on all passenger cars and a convex passenger mirror if the inside mirror lacks full rear view.
• Passenger mirrors must carry the legend "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear."
• Blind-Spot Monitor became standard on every 2019 Avalon, boosting lane-change safety.
• Owners can check open recalls with Toyota's VIN tool at the official recall portal.

Installation Steps

1. Disconnect battery - prevents airbag or BSM warnings.
2. Pop the interior sail-panel cover to expose the three 10 mm nuts.
3. Remove door panel only if the wiring plug sits inside the door skin (common on 2013+).
4. Unclip wiring harness, then support the mirror while loosening the nuts.
5. Fit the new unit, torque nuts snug, reconnect plug, test glass movement, heat, signals, and BSM lamp before reinstalling trim.

A short video shows the process on a 2005-2010 Avalon and matches these steps.

Maintenance Tips

• Keep glass clean with window cleaner; grime blocks the BSM icon.
• Inspect heater - feel the glass after two minutes of rear-defog operation.
• Check aim - seated driver should barely see the car's rear door handle in the inner edge of the mirror.
• Stop vibration - tighten mounting nuts; loose nuts cause shaky images.

Common Problems

← scroll table horizontally →

Cost & Time

• Parts - $661 on average for a full power mirror with BSM.
• Labor - 0.7-1.0 hour, or $67-$107 nationwide.
• Older models - simpler non-BSM mirrors drop parts cost near $341.

Upgrade Ideas

• Swap in auto-fold motors from Touring models-plug-and-play on 2019-2022 wiring.
• Install aftermarket sequential LED caps for brighter signals (ensure DOT approval).
• Add puddle lamps by tapping the courtesy-light circuit behind the door panel.

Eco Disposal

Separate the broken mirror: glass to household glass recycling, plastic housing with #7 plastics, and the motor unit to electronic waste. Many city recycling centers accept small automotive e-waste-check local rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the side mirror do?
A: It lets you see cars and bikes beside you so you can change lanes safely.

Q: Which Avalon years have power mirrors?
A: Every Avalon from 2000 on has power-adjustable door mirrors.

Q: Are heated mirrors standard?
A: Yes on most 2013-2022 trims and optional on earlier Limited models.

Q: How can I tell if my mirror has Blind-Spot Monitor?
A: Look for a tiny amber car-icon in the upper-outer corner of the glass-it lights when BSM is on.

Q: What tools do I need to swap the mirror?
A: A 10 mm socket, trim pry tool, and Phillips screwdriver cover 99 % of jobs.

Q: Do new mirrors come painted?
A: Many ship ready-to-paint; you match the color code printed on the door jamb sticker.

Q: How long does the job take?
A: About 30-60 minutes for first-timers and 20 minutes for pros.

Q: Can I swap driver and passenger mirrors?
A: No-the shapes, glass curvature, and wiring differ side to side.

Q: Why is my glass cloudy or shaking?
A: Delaminated glass or loose mounting nuts-tighten or replace the insert.

Q: Can I replace just the glass?
A: Yes; pry the old pane off the backing plate and snap in a new one.

Q: Does the passenger mirror really distort distance?
A: Yes; it's convex by law, so objects look farther away.

Q: How much money should I budget?
A: Newer Avalons run $728-$759 parts and labor; early 2000s cars run about $400.

Q: Are aftermarket mirrors legal?
A: Yes if they meet DOT mirror rules for size and field of view.

Q: Will a Camry mirror fit my Avalon?
A: Usually not-the bolt pattern and styling differ.

Q: What do I do with the broken mirror?
A: Recycle the glass and plastic, and take the motor to an e-waste drop-off.