2005 Toyota Avalon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Avalon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance7325.5%
- Steering4214.7%
- Engine3110.8%
- Brakes258.7%
- Transmission196.6%
- Electrical186.3%
- Body & structure155.2%
- Powertrain (other)155.2%
- Airbags124.2%
- Fuel system62.1%
- Suspension62.1%
- Visibility51.7%
- Interior & seats51.7%
- Other / unspecified51.7%
- Tires & wheels41.4%
- Exterior lighting31.0%
- Seat belts20.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed and became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The vehicle then returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL COLASPSES WHEN DRIVING.
LEVER THAT CONTROLS TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THIS WAS NEVER A RECALL BUT WAS COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY EXTENSION. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA THEY SENT OUT LETTERS BEGINNING IN APRIL 2014 ADVISING OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM. WE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER. TOYOTA FURTHER ADVISES US THAT THE WINDOW FOR FREE REPAIR OF THE DEFECT CLOSED ON MAY 31,2015 AND THEY WILL NOT PAY TO FIX IT. WHY WAS THIS NOT MADE AN OFFICIAL RECALL? I HAVE INJURED MY KNEE SEVERAL TIMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check for all recalls on my car.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SLOW STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE A REVVING NOISE, BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have been experiencing sponginess in the brakes. the air conditioner stopped working, the temperature gauges stopped working, and the ABS and Brake light are all on in the dash. Reviewing possible fixes according to Toyota Nation Forum online all these symptoms are a result of an ABS Control Module. This part alone costs almost $1500.00 and supposedly is a very common problem with this type of Avalon, Thank you for researching this further.
Please check all recalls on my car.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY CHANGE GEARS AND JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR UNRELATED MAINTENANCE AND ADVISED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND SECURED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,500.
OUR 2005 TOYOTA AVALON WAS SERVICED FOR SAFETY RECALL ON 3/1/10 AND GAS PEDAL FEEL BECAME MORE SENSITIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. ON 3/2/10 WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED SEVERAL TIMES DURING NORMAL APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THIS WAS ALARMING AND VERY DISCONCERTING. SUBSEQUENT DRIVING LATER THIS WEEK DID NOT EFFECT A REPEAT OF THE ABS CONCERNS. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL SLIGHT SURGE IN SPEED WHICH SEEMS TO RELATE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS WHICH DID HAPPEN BEFORE THE RECALL SERVICE. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Please check for all recalls on my car.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check all recalls on my car.
CRACKED AND MELTING DASHBOARD AND GLOSSY, REFLECTING SUNLIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY ASKED ME TO PAY $2000.00 TO REPLACE IT.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
After the alternator and battery dies the car went right back to accelerating by itself into traffic, I contacted Toyota and explained that after the battery and alternator died the problem came right back but they seem not to care
Please check for all recalls on my car.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check all recalls on my car.
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check for all of the recalls on my car
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE GEARS SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. TOYOTA OF BOWIE (16700 GOVERNOR BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD 20716, 301-867-1600) WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT CITED THE FUEL SYSTEM AS A POSSIBLE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check for all of the recalls on my car
WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, EACH LITTLE BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE PAVEMENT WOULD CAUSE A RATTLE UNDER THE DRIVER FRONT. EXAMINATION BY AN AUTO REPAIRMAN REVEALED THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING WAS CRACKED. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS THIS WAS NEXT TO THE TIRE AND COULD PUNCTURE IT WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE REPAIRMAN ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS UNUSUAL IN A TOYOTA. HAD MAYBE SEEN THIS TWICE OVER 2 YEARS BUT RECENTLY WITHIN ONE MONTH HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN ABOUT 15 TIMES. THE REPAIRMAN FELT IT WAS TEMPERATURE RELATED TO SUBZERO TEMPERATURES IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY CAUSING THE METAL SPRING TO BRAKE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRACKED AND MELTING DASHBOARD AND GLOSSY, REFLECTING SUNLIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY ASKED ME TO PAY $2000.00 TO REPLACE IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR WAS FOGGED INTERNALLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE FOG FROM THE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE MIRROR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 05/24/12 *BF
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check for all the recalls on my car
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check for all the recalls on my car
I WAS GETTING INTO A TURN LANE WHICH HAD A RED LIGHT, THERE WERE NO CARS AHEAD OF ME. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND THEN IN PARK AND THEN TURNED THE KEY OF AND GOT IT BY ANOTHER CAR AND MY CAR STILL KEPT GOING, ALTHOUGH IT DID SLOW DOWN AND STOP AFTER BEING HIT. I BROUGHT THIS SAME CAR IN FOR THE RECALL FIX ON FEB 24 2010. AND THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE RECALL FIX. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA ASCEND TIRES, SIZE P205/60/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT VIBRATE PRIOR TO THE TIRES BEING CHANGED. THE CONTACT HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AGAIN AFTER THE CHANGE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,086. UPDATED 08/20/12 *BF UPDATED 08/20/2012 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR FIERCE HP TIRES, LINE SIZE 215/55/R17. THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED BY A TIRE DEALER ON AUGUST 18, 2010. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TIRE AND NOTICED BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. PRIOR TO THE BLOW OUT, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE WAS BECOMING FLAT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT TIRE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,755.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Please check for all of the recalls on my car
THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO DIM THE HEADLAMPS WHEN RETURNED TO THE LOW BEAM SETTING. THIS FAILURE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE VISION OF ONCOMING DRIVERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR FLOOR UPON IMPACT BROKE MY ANKLE. THE AUTO HIT ON THE PASSENGERS FRONT SIDE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO AVOID HITTING A CAT AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE.TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE IMPACT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO SEVERE AS TO BREAK THE ANKLE CAUSING A PLATE, ROD, AND SEVERAL SCREWS TO BE PLACED IN THE ANKLE, BOTH SIDES HAD STITCHES APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 12 INCHES. NOW RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE SOME OF THE HARDWARE REMOVED, CAUSING ME TO LOSE MORE TIME FROM WORK. I HAVE COMPLETE SET OF PICTURES OF AUTO AND SURGERY.
WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT OF MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON AFTER A SHOPPING STOP, I DISCOVERED THAT THE BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT BELT TO THE CAR POST HAD POPPED OUT AND LEFT THE SEAT BELT DANGLING AND UNUSABLE. I SURMISE THAT IT POPPED OUT WHEN I RELEASED IT AFTER ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REATTACHED IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY USED A NEW BOLT OR FOUND THE OLD ONE IN THE CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .