RoadVitals

2005 Toyota Avalon Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest May 8, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 228 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Toyota Avalon submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed May 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the vehicle was in direct sunlight, and the instrument panel cracked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ID
11587632
Incident
May 8, 2024
Mileage
165,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 1, 2023

Please check for all recalls on my car.

NHTSA ID
11529945
Incident
Nov 20, 2019
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 11, 2023

One of my airbags or out. My heated seats on my passenger side heats up on its own . I also have lots of water on my passenger side floor when it rains. My gas pedal seem to get stuck when taking off.

NHTSA ID
11516590
Incident
Apr 11, 2023
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2022

Leaks. My stereo system shorted out due to leaking water from windshield area. I since learned Toyota knew about at least 2 leaking problems (in TSB’s) however the coverage was only for 36,000 miles or 36 months. I didn’t detect these issues until after that time. Now it will cost Thou$ands to remedy.

NHTSA ID
11449965
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 19, 2014

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REPLACED #2 IGNITION COIL. 800MILES AND 3 MONTHS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED,REPLACED #5 COIL. TOYOTA DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR A HIGH MILEAGE CAR. TOTAL COST $700+ IF THIS IS NORMAL THEY SHOULD [XXX] WELL PAY FOR IT. IT TAKES RELIABLE OUT OF TOYOTA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10604473
Incident
Dec 18, 2013
Mileage
92,079 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed May 20, 2014

I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH UP I-81 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED ON FLASHERS, PUT CAR IN PARK, TURNED KEY OFF, AND TRIED TO RESTART ENGINE. IT IMMEDIATELY CRANKED RIGHT UP AND I PROCEEDED UP THE INTERSTATE. FIVE MINUTES LATER, AT 70 MPH, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STEER OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE ENGINE. I CONTINUED ON HOME FOR ANOTHER 2 HOURS WITH NO PROBLEMS. ON 5/18, I WENT TO CHURCH AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, IT WAS HARD TO STEER (NO POWER STEERING). AT NO TIME HAS A LIGHT COME ON SHOWING IT NEEDED SERVICE OR SOME PROBLEM. I ASSUME SINCE I WAS DRIVING SO FAST ON THE INTERSTATE, I DIDN'T NOTICE THE POWER STEERING LOSS WHEN I LOST ALL POWER. I AM AFRAID THAT IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN AND I MIGHT GET KILLED FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL ONTO A SHOULDER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10592649
Incident
May 17, 2014
Mileage
63,459 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 31, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION COIL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10445993
Incident
Sep 20, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Oct 12, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVEN TIMES WHERE THE OIL TUBE, HOSE, FILTER HOUSING, STUDS AND DRAIN PLUG CASKET WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,214 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,289. UPDATED 01/12/11*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED, THE DRAIN PLUGS, GASKETS, CRANK SEAL, VALVE COVERS AND OIL PAN. THE MOONROOF DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY NOT CHARGING. UPDATED 04/15/11 THE CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER OIL PANS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/19/11/ *JB

NHTSA ID
10360133
Incident
Dec 10, 2007
Mileage
30,214 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 2010

2005 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE'S HORN *TGW THE DEALER TRIED TO MAKE REPAIRS BY LUBRICATING THE CONTACT POINTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LONGEST TIME THE HORN WOULD WORK, WAS ABOUT 12 MONTHS AND THEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED. RECENTLY, WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE WHEEL LOCK AND PULLED THE STEERING TOWARD HIM AND RETURNED IT TO THE DOWN POSITION TWO TIMES, THE HORN BEGAN TO WORK . THE CONSUMER THEN BEGAN TO QUESTION THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10348791
Incident
Jul 21, 2006
Electrical
Filed Jun 18, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE PAD WAS REMOVED AND THE CONTACT POINTS WERE REPLACED. THE REMEDY LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AND THE HORN FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE POINTS AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOPS LOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY YET, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHEN DOING SO, THE HORN BECAME OPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10336946
Incident
Apr 3, 2006
Mileage
38,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 18, 2010

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2005. WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE KEY LESS ENTRY FOB WOULD NOT WORK WHEN TOUCHING THE HANDLE, AS SPECIFIED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, WITH THE FOB NEXT TO DOOR HANDLE IN MY HAND. TURNED THE VEHICLE IN MORE THAN 5 TIMES FOR THE TROUBLE. SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE PROBLEM, THE REASON STATED HEREIN, WAS NOT LOGGED INTO THE SERVICE REPORT. ON AT LEAST TWO TRIPS THE SERVICE ADVISER SAID IT WASN'T A PROBLEM THEY COULD FIX. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FACILITY WHERE I HAVE MY WORK DONE AND WHERE I PURCHASED IT BECOMES IRRITATED IF I MENTION THE PROBLEM WITH A CURT RESPONSE "WE CAN'T REPEAT THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING." I CALLED TOYOTA TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY SENT, ONE TIME, A "TECHNICAL EXPERT" TO CHECK THE VEHICLE. HE REPORTED: (1) HE COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. (2) IT WAS OBVIOUS BECAUSE I WAS PARKING NEAR HIGH RADIO FREQUENCY AREAS. (3) YOUR FOB BATTERY MUST BE LOW. WHEN IT WAS CHECKED, IT WAS FINE. AFTER SEVERAL BATTERIES WERE REPLACED WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I RELATED (1) I UNDERSTAND RF INTERFERENCE DUE TO FORMAL US GOVERNMENT TRAINING. THEN WHY WOULD IT MALFUNCTION IN A REMOTE FARM SITE? NO POWER LINES, NO RF TOWERS .. .I CHECKED. MALFUNCTIONS OCCURRED SOMETIMES AT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS AND THEN NEXT DAY AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME OF DAY, IT WOULD NOT? NO ANSWER. THIS PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A YEAR NEVER OCCURRED. NOW WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS IT HAS STARTED AGAIN AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES IN LOCATIONS, TIME OF DAY, DAY OF WEEK OR PARKING "SPOTS.' THIS IS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AS YOU CAN NOT GET INTO THE CAR WHEN THIS MALFUNCTIONS OCCURS. WHAT IF MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER? ON RARE OCCASION, AFTER USING THE HANDLE MORE THAN 6 TIMES, THE DOORS WILL OPEN. DURING THE PERIOD THAT THIS MALFUNCTION IS OCCURRING, THE ENGINE WILL NOT START WITH THE KEY LESS FOB NEXT TO THE ON/OFF STARTING SWITCH. BATTERIES ARE FINE AND NOT LOW DUE TO TESTING. INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS LAST OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326211
Incident
Apr 18, 2010
Mileage
5,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 27, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT LEFT THE IGNITION TURNED ON OVER NIGHT AND FOUND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD THE NEXT MORNING. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN AS A RESULT OF THE DEAD BATTERY AND IT CANNOT BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. AAA WAS CALLED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE SO THE TRUNK COULD BE OPENED. THE TOYOTA DEALER ADVISED HIM TO GO TO A LOCKSMITH AND HAVE A KEY OPERATED LOCK INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. HE WENT TO A SECOND DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIS CONCERN THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, BUT THE CONTACT HAS YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,500. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE CONSUMER PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 09/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10200848
Incident
Aug 18, 2007
Mileage
22,500 mi
BrakesElectricalTransmission
Filed May 1, 2006
Crash reported

2005 TOYOTA AVALON TOURING MODEL TAKEN IN 5000 MILE SERVICE WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT A NOISE COMING FROM REAR END OR TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA COULD NOT HEAR IT UNTIL I INSISTED MECHANIC TAKE RIDE ME. MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED NOISE AND SAID MAYBE COMING FROM COMPUTERIZED ABS BRAKE INITIATING AT 5 MPH. WIFE PARKED AT WORK JUST COUPLE WEEKS AFTER MAINTENANCE. PULLED INTO PARKING AT WORK, STOPPED, PUT IN PARK AND IN SECONDS THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WITH ENGINE REVVING AT HIGH SPEED; WIFE STOMPED ON PARKING BRAKE BUT BY THAT TIME CAR JUMPED OVER 10 OR 12 FOOT CURB , A FOUR FOOT SIDEWALK AND INTO A WALL JUST STOPPING AS IT HIT THE WALL. TIRE MARKS. CALL TO ELMORE TOYOTA GARDEN GROVE (ALAN/SERVICE) WHO SAID THEY HAD NO BODY SHOP AND DID NOT WANT TO SEE CAR OR NEED TO CHECK AND WORK ON IT BEFORE BODY WORK. SAID IF NO LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. JUST LIKE THEIR ATTITUDE ABOUT THE RATCHETING NOISE SUPPOSED FROM THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. WIFE INSISTS SHE DID NOT THE GAS PEDAL ACCIDENTALLY . WHEN ENGINE REVELATION AFTER HITTING WALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL, CAR PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OFF SIDE WALK. STATE FARM TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR TO BODY SHOP. HOW DO WE FORCE TOYOTA TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID
10156569
Incident
May 1, 2006
BrakesElectricalSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 4, 2006

TRANSMISSION LAGS THEN JUMPS FORWARD, TRANSMISSION SLIPS AT LOW SPEEDS NEVER SEEMS TO FIND A GEAR. STEERING AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 WILL JERK LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON THE ROAD.(SCARES YOU TO DEATH) BRAKES HAVE GRABBED AND JERKED THE CAR FROM DAY ONE THE DEALERSHIP GROUND THE ROTORS TO FIX THIS BUT IT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS HAD THE POWER STEERING HOSE REPLACED BECAUSE IT LEAKED AND IT STILL DOES. THE CD PLAYER SKIP WHILE YOUR PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES WITH NONE OF THE PROBLEMS TO THE BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, OR STEERING RESOLVED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154548
Incident
Mar 28, 2005
Mileage
200 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 22, 2006

THREE DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED WITH LESS THAT 5000 MILES. THE SHORTS WERE IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, AND THE FUSE BOX. THE FIRST AND THIRD SHORT PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING. THE SECOND SHORT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. THE SWITCH, ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, AND FUSE BOX HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED 4 TIMES DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10153454
Incident
Feb 1, 2006
Mileage
4,500 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalTransmission
Filed Nov 4, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT GEARS SMOOTHLY. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PASSED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS COMPUTER CONTROLLED. *AK (12/01/05) *SC

NHTSA ID
10141745
Incident
Aug 21, 2005
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2005

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN AN APPROXIMATE SIX MONTH PERIOD THAT THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WHILE IN OPERATION. DURING BOTH OCCASIONS THE ENGINE SURGED, HESITATED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE FIRST REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM, MECHANICS STATED WAS A FUSE IN THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM THAT BLEW. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ADVISED AT THIS TIME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE FUSE TO BLOW. EACH FAILURE OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, CLEAR DRY DAY, FREEWAY DRIVING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10140664
Incident
Oct 24, 2005
Mileage
8,800 mi
ElectricalSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Jul 11, 2005

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL,2005.I ALSO HAVE AN EARLIER COMPLAINT,ODI#10119869,REGARDING HAVING TO RE SAUDER RADIO SPEAKER WIRES,REPLACING THE BUSHINGS AND LOWER SUB FRAME,AS WELL AS AIR CONDITONING,STEERING,AND RADIO PROBLEMS ALL OCCURRING IN THE FIRST 33 MILES OF OWNING THE NEW CAR.I ACCIDENTALLY FILED IT UNDER A TOYOTA SCION FOR TOYOTA CORP. PLEASE SEE THAT COMPLIANT ALSO.. THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR.GETTING ONTO THE THE FREEWAY IS TERRIBLE,AS WELL AS DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DUBLIN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG,IT'S JUST THAT THE SENSORY COMPUTER IN THE CAR KNOWS HOW I DRIVE AND THE GEARS FOLLOW MY DRIVING HABITS. THEY SAID THEY RESET IT,THAT MAYBE WHEN THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN,IT SET ITSELF TO ANOTHER DRIVER. THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT EASY FOR THE FIRST 50 MILES,THEN NORMALLY AFTER THAT. WELL, BEFORE I EVEN DROVE OFF THIER LOT,IT STUCK AGAIN-BUT I HAD TO GO TO WORK SO I CALLED THEM AS SOON AS I GOT TO WORK AND HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN AGAIN. THE REAL SAFETY ISSUE OCCURRED YESTERDAY,WHEN I WAS THE FIRST CAR WAITING AT A TRAIN CROSSING FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES WHILE THE TRAIN WAS PASSING. AFETR IT PASSED,AS I WAS CROSSING THE TRACKS,IT TOOK ABOUT 15 SECONDS FOR THE CAR TO MOVE ,AGAIN STUCK AND REVING IN LOW GEAR!I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED ON FREEWAY ENTRANCES,RED LIGHTS TURNING TO GREEN,ANDND NUMEROURS OTHER TIMES,AND NOW ON TRAIN TRACKS!!!!SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE- I ALSO HAVE COMPLIINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT NOISES WHEN STEERING AND THEY SAID IT IS JUST THE RELEASE OF THE BRAKES.SINCE I CANNNOT DUPLICATE IT,THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO- IT IS NOT THE BRAKES BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM MAKING SHARP TURNS.

NHTSA ID
10128356
Incident
Jul 11, 2005
Mileage
33 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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