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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

What owners actually said

228 reports
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 · Jan 12, 2023
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

Dashboard and airbag covers including dash are badly cracked, airbag safety is potentially compromised if deployed. The car is available for inspection at my residence at any time. Toyota offered to supply and replace dash covers to fix this danger, but parts were never made available. The hazard remains.

NHTSA ODI #11501502

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

225,000 miles · Jun 4, 2020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME SOFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME SOFT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER BY PHONE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.

NHTSA ODI #11327246

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2020
Unknown Or Other

LOWER FRONT DASH IS CRACKED AND BROKE

NHTSA ODI #11316649

156,000 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE REAR SUNSHADE WON'T GO DOWN AND IT'S STUCK IN THE UP POSITION HENCE CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11281195

175,000 miles · Jun 18, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER 4 TIMES. NO INJURY OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY BUT THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER 4 TIMES. NO INJURY OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11220919

127,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Unknown Or Other

ON 2005 TO 2008 TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED MODELS THE 3RD BREAK LIGHT WORKS SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIME IT DOESN'T I HAVE LOOKED ON A LOT OF FORUM AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND I GOT A WARNING FOR IT

NHTSA ODI #11219761

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2019
StructureVisibility/wiper

CRACKED AND MELTING DASHBOARD AND GLOSSY, REFLECTING SUNLIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY ASKED ME TO PAY $2000.00 TO REPLACE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11207053

136,000 miles · Dec 31, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

ON 10/25/18 I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHEN MY GAS PEDAL HUNG AND LURCHED FORWARD WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO PARK WHEN MY CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT THE BUILDING HEAD ON. IT WAS 3:50 IN THE AFTERNOON AND A CLEAR VISIBILITY DAY. THE POLICE REPORT HAS MY SPEED AT…

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ON 10/25/18 I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHEN MY GAS PEDAL HUNG AND LURCHED FORWARD WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO PARK WHEN MY CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT THE BUILDING HEAD ON. IT WAS 3:50 IN THE AFTERNOON AND A CLEAR VISIBILITY DAY. THE POLICE REPORT HAS MY SPEED AT ABOUT 20 MPH. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, I DID HAVE MY SEATBELT ON. IT WAS STRAIGHT FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT I AM SUFFERING FROM WHIPLASH AND POSSIBLE (TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY), ALSO NECK AND BACK PAIN. I BELIEVE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE GAS PEDAL 'STICKING' AND AS A RESULT OF NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSING MORE MOTION ON MY HEAD, NECK, AND BACK.

NHTSA ODI #11164256

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.