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2005 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Avalon years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Avalon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

180 reports with mileage · 48 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
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165,000 miles · May 8, 2024
Electrical System

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…

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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 ODI #11587632

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Please check for all recalls on my car.

NHTSA ODI #11529945

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

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 ODI #11516590

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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 ODI #11449965

92,079 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

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 F…

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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 ODI #10604473

63,459 miles · May 20, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

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 T…

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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 ODI #10592649

75,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Electrical System

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 FAILUR…

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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 ODI #10445993

30,214 miles · Oct 12, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

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 5…

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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 ODI #10360133

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2010
Electrical System

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 TOWA…

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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 ODI #10348791

38,000 miles · Jun 18, 2010
Electrical System

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 RE…

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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 ODI #10336946

Official recalls

7

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

10V499000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 21, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

10V017000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jan 21, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Oct 5, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V096000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

05V227000 · Steering:column

May 16, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

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.