KnownCarProblems2005 Toyota Avalon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 228 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Avalon, most often about the speed control (32% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles). It is 5th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2005 Toyota Avalon problems
Speed control
72 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact took the vehicle into the dealer to be serviced per the recall. The vehicle began to surge forward after the vehicle was repaired while driving approximately 15 MPH. The contact did not have time to depress the brake pedal and allowed the vehicle slow down on its own.…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and in reverse out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse and crashed into another vehicle. She applied the brakes as hard as she could but the vehicle wouldn't stop. No one was injured. The police were…
Steering
42 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist.
I have a 2005 Toyota Avalon. I have always had a problem with the telescopic steering wheel lever not holding in place. 6-12 times a year when I stop my vehicle the steering wheel goes forward towards the engine. I look and the telescopic lever has moved down. I am the only one that drives my car and the lever is…
The steering wheel friction lever suddenly dropped and the steering wheel collapsed while the car was in motion. Updated 05/12/11
Transmission
33 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
Noticing hesitation at low speed gear shifting . Results in no acceleration in spite of pressing the accelerator and after a lag car suddenly responds. Had trouble while merging from the ramp on to the highway now several times, but not daily. Concerned that this may result in an accident specially while merging or…
Since purchasing in dec., 2005, transmission hesitates when proceeding from idle at slow speeds and sometimes between gears at highway speed when trying to accelerate. Have nearly been rear-ended innumerable times. Original several complaints to dealer resulted in info that "no tsb has been issued to fix that". This…
Engine
31 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
While driving a strong "burning oil" smell began to fill the passenger compartment. Immediately took the vehicle to a nearby service station where they found oil coating all over the engine compartment with a higher concentration on the passenger side. After putting a couple quarts of oil they started the vehicle and…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. While the contact was driving 55 MPH he noticed that the engine temperature had risen. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact had the serpentine belt replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 57,000. Updated 3/24/10 the…
Brakes
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. While the contact was driving 55 MPH he noticed that the engine temperature had risen. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact had the serpentine belt replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 57,000. Updated 3/24/10 the…
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, she experienced an excessive pulsation in the accelerator pedal. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 10v017000 (vehicle speed control) in june of…
Electrical
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, horn, ignition, wiring.
Tl 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…
Tl 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…
Body and structure
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard cracked due to defective material. The dashboard crack initiated in the air bag area and spread across the dashboard. The manufacturer was made a ware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 22,300 and the…
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the dashboard's vinyl cover fractured. The crack initiated at the driver side and spread to the air bag and glove compartment area. The contact was concerned that the air bag may deploy. The dealer stated that the dashboard was defective and needed to be…
Air bags
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Was driving on beltway in washington, dc. Another vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed in an attempt to merge on the beltway when he clipped my vehicle. My vehicle spun around on beltway and hit guardrails at high rate of speed twice. Both front and back bumpers were completely torn apart in addition to huge…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Toyota Avalon recalls
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on july 14, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4runner, highlander, sequoia, and sienna, 2005-2010 avalon and tundra, 2006-2008 camry solara, 2006-2010 highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 rav4 and tacoma, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2007-2011 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Brakes: master cylinder
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the pontiac vibe please see 10v-018. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on february 5, 2010 and will be completed on march 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Air bags
Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the specific SRS air bag. The recall began on april 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371, scion at 1-866-548-1851, or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the SRS system is activated during a crash.
Steering: column
Risk: Loss of control of the vehicle could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering yoke and shaft weld condition, and replace the steering column assembly free of charge. The recall began on may 2, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the steering yoke was not welded to the steering shaft. If the vehicle is operated in this condition, there is a possibility that the yoke may come off from the shaft, and could result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
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 2005 Toyota Avalon
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Avalon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (72 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); steering (42 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles); transmission (33 complaints, typically around 21,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2016 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Toyota Avalon?
- It is 5th of 23 Avalon model years by number of complaints, with 228 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.