KnownCarProblems2004 Toyota Avalon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Avalon, most often about the air bags (62% of complaints, typically around 81,500 miles). It is 6th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2004 Toyota Avalon problems
Air bags
127 complaints · 62%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, on-off switch assembly.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 12 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle causing it to crash into the rear of second vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained back, shoulder and neck…
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. While starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v147000 (air bags); however, the remedy failed to correct the issue and the failure recurred. The revised remedy parts associated with NHTSA…
Steering
28 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, column, hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion.
Car was taken in 05/2016 for recall work to replace SRS and ecu. After recall repair, intermittent pax side airbag light flashes on and off saying passenger airbag issue. Dealer refuses to do more than specified recall replacement. We now cannot tell if we have airbags that will work and if the restraint system will…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. He received a recall letter regarding recall 10v345000, steering. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to be repaired and the contact stated that the heat was working normally. The vehicle was purchased used in 2008. The contact stated the heat was working fine until he…
Speed control
25 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
My 2004 Toyota Avalon suddenly accelerated while backing out of our garage. It sped backwards only stopping when it slammed into our front deck. Over $5000 damage, but no injuries.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. While the contact was attempting to pull out of a parking space at a low speed the vehicle had suddenly accelerated without warning causing the contact to crash into a nearby vehicle. No one was injured during the crash. A police report was not filed for the incident. The vehicle…
Electrical
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
I received a letter from Toyota in march 2014 notifying me of a safety recall involving the electronic control module for the supplemental restraint system. I took the vehicle to the local dealer to have the remedy installed, which they did. In approximately february of 2015 (six months ago) I received a second letter…
There was a recall initiated 27 march 2014 for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control module (ECM). Toyota mailed letters on 05 may 2014 advising owners of the recall. As of today (16 sep 2014), Toyota has failed to provide the parts and/or fix the SRS ECM. As of today, Toyota does not have an…
Engine
8 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: engine.
While driving any speed, the vehicle jerked forward. This caused the consumer to rear end another vehicle. The consumer managed to pull over and shut off/restart the vehicle. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.
While driving in stop and go traffic the vehicle's engine revved up and the vehicle accelerated forward into another vehicle. The RPM reached 7000. The consumer stated that this marks the fourth time this vehicle has had this issue. The consumer referenced 10099310. Heavy smoke came from the front of the vehicle after…
Seat belts
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
Dash lights keep coming on showing air bags icon and we have a recall dated in october 2015 and stated that the sub-wire harness was installed and the the SRS ecu was not replaced. Every time I call my local Toyota dealership I find out that Toyota has not sent the replacement parts. I use [] in sylacauga, al 35150…
2004 Toyota Avalon -receive a notice of a problem with the supplemental restraint system(SRS) electronic control unit (ecu). The original "fix" for this problem (deemed an "urgent safety recall" by Toyota) was announced in mar, 2014. It was later found that this "fix" did not do the job.a 2nd recall (dated jan 27th…
Brakes
6 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: foundation components, power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Slow loss of brake fluid on 2004 Toyota Avalon xls. Dealer had to replace brake master cylinder and brake booster. Repairs were covered under warranty, however I feel that this was a serious problem and one that should be reported as there may be other vehicles with similar problem.
2004 Avalon xls - ABS dash light has been staying on continuously for over two years once engine is started. I took it to dealer once about three years ago and dealer said it was because a book was under the back of the driver's seat. The light was not continuously staying on when the dealer told me this. The problem…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
My mother's 2004 Toyota Avalon, miles 7,800 miles needed 2 fuel to air oxy/sensors within the last 30 days. Cost is approx. $200.00 each,Toyota states they will not cover the parts.
I was alone in the car and had driven into my driveway (after opening the garage door) to enter the garage. The car suddenly took off and before I knew, I had crashed into the side of the garage and went through it. The car smashed into gardening tools, snow shovels, lawn mower, leaf blower, trash cans, and flowering…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Toyota Avalon recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on august 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Gm issued an interim notification to owners on march 27, 2015. The recall began on august 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668. Note: this recall supersedes recalls 13v-029 and 14v-147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 toyota corolla vehicles manufactured december 28, 2001, to may 2, 2004, 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix vehicles manufactured january 6, 2002, to april 29, 2004, 2003-2004 avalon vehicles manufactured june 5, 2002, to december 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 pontiac vibe vehicles manufactured january 18, 2002, to april 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.s. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
Steering
Risk: Should the steering lock bar break, the steering wheel would lock and the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering interlock device free of charge. The safety recall began on september 7, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2000-2004 avalon vehicles. Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface of the lock bar. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Toyota Avalon
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Avalon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (127 complaints, typically around 81,500 miles); steering (28 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); speed control (25 complaints, typically around 56,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 28, 2015 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Toyota Avalon?
- It is 6th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints, with 205 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.