# 2013 Toyota Avalon - Detached headliner - Where to start? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota\ **Created:** [August 31, 2019, 11:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864 "2019-08-31T11:42:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CarlosH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@CarlosH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CarlosH)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 11:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/1 "2019-08-31T11:42:04Z")
I am the original owner of an Avalon XLE-Touring model. I also have a detaching headliner as Robin G. It measures the entire length of the rear ceiling by about 21/2 inches detached from ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/2 "2019-08-31T17:15:02Z")
Walmart carries 3M Headliner/Fabric Adhesive > **[3M Headliner & Fabric Adhesive, 38808, 18.1 oz - Walmart.com](https://www.walmart.com/ip/3M-Headliner-Fabric-Adhesive-38808-18-1-oz/46695543)** > > Free 2-day shipping on qualified orders over $35. Buy 3M Headliner & Fabric Adhesive, 38808, 18.1 oz at Walmart.com Tester ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/3 "2019-08-31T19:54:26Z")
As the original owner of a 6-year old car, the first place I would start is with Toyota. I would go to the dealer and ask if the manufacturer is offering any “goodwill repair” or “customer satisfaction program” to help customers with this problem. You may be able to get this repaired for little or no cost. If not, then I’d look into an automotive upholstery shop to see about getting the headliner redone, or if you want to spend very little money, get some “twist pins” from an arts and crafts store, and use those to secure the cloth to its backing. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/4 "2019-09-01T01:52:33Z")
Sorry you are having this frustrating problem. On the bright side, you aren’t alone. This is a common problem reported here on most cars. I’ve tried the _glue it in place_ method on my Corolla, didn’t last. I’m using a bevy of straight pins ( like what come with a new dress shirt) to hold it up. That’s working pretty good, albeit with some cosmetic compromises. The proper fix is to remove the entire headliner board from the vehicle, scrape off all the old glue and foam, and attach replacements on the work bench. Besides the difficulty of doing that, there’s the problem of removing the headliner board from the car, which might require removing seats or even one of the windshields. All in all, not easy to fix. Which brings up the question: Why don’t the manufacture’s ~~solve~~ prevent this problem with a robust design? Below is some info on that question … > [@Manufacturers Should Solve the Droopy Headliner Problem](https://community.cartalk.com/t/manufacturers-should-solve-the-droopy-headliner-problem/147291/25): > > Man, GM had a huge problem with this in late 70’s early 80s. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/5 "2019-09-01T03:16:39Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > Besides the difficulty of doing that, there’s the problem of removing the headliner board from the car, which might require removing seats or even one of the windshields. So how is it that I don’t see any of the upholstery shops regularly removing seats and windshields to redo a headliner . . . ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 1:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/6 "2019-09-01T13:03:11Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > which might require removing seats or even one of the windshields. What vehicles have more than one windshield ? ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/7 "2019-09-01T14:38:55Z")
The ones having a metal bar separating two [flat] windshield glasses? 🙂 I betcha these will be easily removable 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/8 "2019-09-01T22:18:27Z")
> **[Rear Window Or Rear Windshield?](https://jalopnik.com/rear-window-or-rear-windshield-1786453562)** > > I don’t want to alarm anybody, but the Jalopnik house is divided, on the verge of tearing itself apart. I’m worried, hurt, and confused. Within our own ranks, I find a frightening division. We’re on the verge of finding Slack plug-ins that let us... ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/9 "2019-09-01T22:33:02Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > So how is it that I don’t see any of the upholstery shops regularly removing seats and windshields to redo a headliner . . I’ve never seen it done in person. Seen it on vdos of course, usually shown on hatchbacks, for which it is easier to remove the headliner. I expect the reason for your observation is that all the makes/models/years for which this job is done have all sorts of geometries; therefore the factory service manual procedure recommended to remove the headliner board from a vehicle varies from vehicle to vehicle. It’s also likely reupholsters don’t always follow the factory recommended procedure. > **[How to Install a Headliner: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow](https://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-Headliner)** > > A headliner is the foam-backed cloth covering that is attached by adhesive to the ceiling of your car. It is not unusual for a car headliner to become unattached and cave in if it has been exposed to excessive amounts of moisture or if the... > **[Replace Headliner W/O Removing glass?](https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/replace-headliner-w-o-removing-glass.657393/)** > > I was wondering if anyone had replaced their headliner without removing the windshield and rear window. I don't want to remove the glass if possible. "I wouldn’t want to try without removing the glass. " For the 2012 Corolla, it’s a 97 step procedure to remove the headliner, starting with : Remove LH front seat, then RH front seat, … ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/10 "2019-09-02T00:59:00Z")
There is a service bulletin to repair this, the headliner sags behind the sunroof. The dual-lock fasteners that attach the headliner board to the roof are not strong enough and the headliner detaches, there is nothing wrong with the fabric. The procedure involves installing 5 new 3 M Dual Lock fasteners and takes about one hour. BTW I have replaced several headliners though the windshield opening but complete removal is not necessary for this type of repair. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/11 "2019-09-02T01:05:15Z")
Once we start talking “remove seats” or even “remove windshield”, that gets expensive real fast. At that point, I’d just buy some “twist pins” and be done with it. BTW, that’s exactly how I “fixed” the sagging headliner in my work truck. My manager was willing to pay $5 for a pack of “twist pins”, but hundreds of dollars to pull and re-finish the headliner? Not happening. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 1:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-toyota-avalon-detached-headliner-where-to-start/147864/12 "2019-09-02T01:07:55Z")
Once you start removing seats, you can run into all sorts of problems Case in point . . . the passenger seat On modern cars, you’ll need to recalibrate the passenger presence detection system That involves a pro-level scan tool, and on some cars you’ll also need the proper set of weights . . . a factory tool, in other words Somehow I doubt the average upholstery shop has that stuff lying around