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2004 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Avalon years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Avalon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

114 reports with mileage · 91 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports0 fire reports13 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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208,000 miles · Jul 18, 2019
Electrical System

THE ECU ITSELF IS NOT WORKING, WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO NEVER STOP WORKING. WELL OURS STOPPED WORKING AND THE LICENSED MECHANIC WILL NOT WORK ON IT IF IT IS RECALLED. WE ARE LITERALLY WAITING ON TOYOTA TO FIX OUR CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO. THE HOLE ECU NOT JUST PART OF IT.

NHTSA ODI #11233048

110,000 miles · Dec 28, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

(1) AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT OCCASIONALLY FLICKERS AND BEGINS TO GLOW FOR A FEW SECONDS THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN WET WEATHER.. (2) WHEN MOVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE DOOR LOCKS CLICK OPEN AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT GOES ON FOR A FEW SECONDS, THIS HAPPENS DAILY.

NHTSA ODI #11163851

130,000 miles · Apr 16, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

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 [XXX] IN SYLACAUGA, AL 35150: PHONE […

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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 [XXX] IN SYLACAUGA, AL 35150: PHONE [XXX]. GETTING WORRIED THAT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT DEPLOY ON US AND CAUSE US TO WRECK. TOYOTA IS DRAGGING FEET! MY PHONE IS [XXX] AND CAR IS IN WIFE'S NAME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10859873

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10766428

153,320 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC RESET THE WARNING LIGHTS BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,320.

NHTSA ODI #10763250

118,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Electrical System

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 INFORMING …

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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 INFORMING ME THAT THE ORIGINAL REMEDY IS NOT SUFFICIENT, THAT THE SRS ECU MUST ALSO BE REPLACED AND I WOULD RECEIVE NOTIFICATION WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER SIX MONTHS I HAVE HEARD NOTHING ELSE AND WHEN I SPOKE TO THE TOYOTA CASE MANAGER TODAY SHE INDICATED THAT SHE HAD NO INFORMATION TO GIVE ME REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS SAFETY RECALL. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A REASONABLE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA REGARDING THIS SAFETY FIX AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA IS MAKING A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.MY CASE NUMBER WITH TOYOTA IS 1508243039.

NHTSA ODI #10759526

120,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

RECALL ON 2004 AVALON ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SECOND RECALL ON SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10690097

126,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

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 ESTIMATED DA…

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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 ESTIMATED DATE THAT THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THIS RECALL #14V147. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY AT ANY TIME, PLEASE DIRECT TOYOTA TO PROVIDE THE PARTS AND FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 6 MONTHS DELAY IS 5 MONTHS TOO LONG FOR DRIVERS TO BE PUT AT RISK BY TOYOTA'S FAILURE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633497

63,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V147000 (AIR BAG, ELECTRICAL). THE CONTACT NOTICED AN INTENSE BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR MAY NOT AR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V147000 (AIR BAG, ELECTRICAL). THE CONTACT NOTICED AN INTENSE BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR MAY NOT ARRIVE UNTIL TWO MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10597116

76,011 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, GasolineCrash

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 POTS. IT CA…

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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 POTS. IT CAME TO A STOP PARTLY BY THE COAT CLOSET WALL THAT PROTRUDES INTO THE GARAGE AND PARTLY BY ALL THE STUFF THAT GOT CAUGHT UNDER THE CAR. THE GARAGE DOOR RAILING WAS DAMAGED AND THE DOOR WAS HANGING A FEW INCHES ABOVE MY CAR. I HEARD THINGS FALLING ABOVE ME. I THOUGHT THAT THE ROOF WOULD COLLAPSE. I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL REVVING AND I SHUT IT. I SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN I OPENED THE DOOR AND RAN OUT INTO THE HOUSE. THE CAR, THE GARAGE, AND GARAGE CONTENTS WERE DAMAGED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK IT WAS CAUSED BY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY AND I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. IT APPEARED THAT THE CAR JUST FLEW AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577514

Official recalls

3

15V043000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jan 28, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.

Remedy: 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.

11V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 9, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

10V345000 · Steering

Jul 29, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.