Illustration2005 TOYOTA AVALON ACCELERATION SURGE WHEN BRAKING. ALMOST REAR ENDED STOPPED VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avalon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
540–25K
4225–50K
3150–75K
2375–100K
22100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
228 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 05V227000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 05V227000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ
STEERING COLUMN MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT: SERVICE DEPARTMENT FIRST REPLACED RIGHT WHEEL BEARING AXLE. WHEN I SAID I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, THEY REPLACED STEERING SHAFT AND JOINT. FIXED PROBLEM *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED IT SURGED AUTOMATICALLY AND THEN LEVEL ED OFF TWO GEARS. THE FAILURE GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING IN LIGHT RAIN AT 50 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT WHEELS TO SPIN. TOYO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED IT SURGED AUTOMATICALLY AND THEN LEVEL ED OFF TWO GEARS. THE FAILURE GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING IN LIGHT RAIN AT 50 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT WHEELS TO SPIN. TOYOTA STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A PROGRAMMING FAILURE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 242,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED FROM THE EXTENDED POSITION WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL OR DRIVING 45 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN SEEN, AND WANTED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS. THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED FROM THE EXTENDED POSITION WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL OR DRIVING 45 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN SEEN, AND WANTED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS. THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT FELT THE LOCKING LEVER DETACHED AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL DESCENDED. ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE LEVER BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 30,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.*AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PARALLEL PARKING THE VEHICLE,THE RIM HIT THE CURB AND THE TIRE HIT THE CURB. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10000. THE TIRES WERE BALANCED 5 TIMES AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE PARALLEL PARKING THE VEHICLE,THE RIM HIT THE CURB AND THE TIRE HIT THE CURB. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10000. THE TIRES WERE BALANCED 5 TIMES AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *AK
MY ONBOARD NAVIGATION SYSTEM GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO MAKE SURE YOU AGREE TO NOT WATCH THE SCREEN WHILE DRIVING, YET WHEN YOU GET TO CETAIN AREAS THE VOICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM SAYS " VOICE GUIDANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THIS AREA. PLEASE FOLLOW THE ARROWS ON THE SCREEN." THIS IS CONTRADICTORY AND DANGEROUS. EVEN THE LOW COST UNIT I HA…
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MY ONBOARD NAVIGATION SYSTEM GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO MAKE SURE YOU AGREE TO NOT WATCH THE SCREEN WHILE DRIVING, YET WHEN YOU GET TO CETAIN AREAS THE VOICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM SAYS " VOICE GUIDANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THIS AREA. PLEASE FOLLOW THE ARROWS ON THE SCREEN." THIS IS CONTRADICTORY AND DANGEROUS. EVEN THE LOW COST UNIT I HAVE IN ANOTHER VEHICLE PROVIDES VOICE GUIDANCE RIGHT UP TO THE DESTINATION. TOYOTA SHOULD PROVIDE UPDATED SOFTWARE TO CURE THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
REPORTING A PROBLEM (NOISE IN STEERING) WITH HIS 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. **CC THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT IT WOULD BE A FEW DAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART TO ARRIVE. AFTER TWO WEEKS THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN. THIS TIME THE INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *NM
TL* - ON 9/24/06 WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH AND IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET TO DISENGAGE THE ACCELERATION ON THE VEHICLE. ON 10/09/06, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH, HAD TO HOLD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE A…
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TL* - ON 9/24/06 WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH AND IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET TO DISENGAGE THE ACCELERATION ON THE VEHICLE. ON 10/09/06, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH, HAD TO HOLD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT THAT POINT THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP,) AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GAS PEDAL WAS MOST LIKELY GETTING CAUGHT UNDER THE CARPET. THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING ON 12/23/06 AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH, AFTER A QUARTER OF A MILE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY OUTING BOTH FEET ON BRAKE. ALL THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING AND THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING. AT THAT POINT, CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ROSENER TOYOTA. *AK UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB
SULFUR SMELL EXUDING FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM DURING PERIODS OF HARD ACCELERATION. DEALER REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *JB
Official recalls
716V396000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.