2005 Toyota Avalon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe unexpected or unwanted acceleration in low-speed situations such as parking maneuvers and when the brake pedal is pressed, along with hesitations and surges they attribute to the throttle and transmission programming. Steering column noise, looseness, and telescopic-lever problems are also frequently reported, and the sample mileage is spread widely, with many complaints filed early in ownership as well as past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Unwanted or sudden acceleration at low speed

   • 73 complaints (32%)
   • median 48,500 mi at 5.3 yrs old (60 state mileage)
   • 27 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2024

   Complaints describe the car gaining speed while the foot is on the brake, especially in parking lots, driveways, and at low speeds, sometimes ending in curb strikes or collisions. Owners say they shifted into neutral or pressed the brake hard to regain control. Several mention that repairs for the accelerator pedal recall were made but the behavior continued, and dealers often reported they could not duplicate the problem or found no codes. Mostly reported at very low mileage, often under 25,000 miles, and frequently during parking or stop-and-go maneuvers.

   Recall 10V017000Recall 09V388000

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal recalls 10V017000 and 09V388000 were performed and confirm the pedal returns freely and floor mats are the correct retained type; a test drive at parking-lot speeds is worth doing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11164256, filed 2018-12, 136,000 miles

   “On feb. 11, 2010 I took my Toyota Avalon in for the accelerator recall. On feb. 17, 2010 I was pulling into a parking space on the grounds of the elementary school I worked at that day when my car accelerated. It jumped the curb sideswiping my car with a car that was parked on my right. After it hit the ground from jumping the curb it accelerated again heading straight toward the school building. I put two feet on the brake and pressed as hard as I could. The car did stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10316881, filed 2010-03, 92,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering column noise, clunk, and looseness

   • 34 complaints (15%)
   • median 44,650 mi at 4.2 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2014

   Complaints describe a clunking or rattling noise over bumps, looseness in the steering column, and in some cases the telescopic adjustment slipping out of its set position while driving. Several owners were told the intermediate shaft lacked grease or that the column needed replacement, and some said the repair was not covered under warranty or a recall. Others report trouble with the dealer being able to reproduce the noise. Mostly reported between roughly 20,000 and 100,000 miles, sometimes earlier.

   Recall 05V2270005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for clunks or rattles over bumps during a test drive, check whether the telescopic lever holds its position, and ask whether recall 05V227000 and the steering column detent clip bulletin were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering wheel column retracting without touching the lever on the left hand side of the steering column. This has happened twice while I was driving and once while my daughter was driving my car on monday 5/2/4/2010. We were able to stop without an accident to secure the steering wheel and fasten the lever.”

   NHTSA complaint #10332302, filed 2010-05, 85,000 miles

   “My 2005 Toyota Avalon developed a noise in the steering. The dealer told me the grease had leaked passed the seals on the intermediate steering shaft. With no grease in the shaft, it will break and cause a loss of steering which could result in an accident or death. Toyota customer service said that since the car has more and 36000 miles and is over 3 years old, the problem is not their responsibility. Grease should not leak pass the seals on the shaft and should be Toyota's responsibility to repair. They told me it would cost $562.”

   NHTSA complaint #10286828, filed 2009-10, 73,918 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hesitation and lag when accelerating

   • 24 complaints (11%)
   • median 3,950 mi at 1.1 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2018

   Owners describe a delay between pressing the accelerator and the car responding, with the engine revving before the car moves, and occasional lurching or dropping out of gear at low speed. Some say it made merging onto highways feel unpredictable. Dealers reportedly told owners the behavior was computer-related or could not be corrected, and some were told it was operating as designed. Often reported from very low mileage, with several complaints filed under 5,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car from a stop and at low speed on a ramp to feel for a delay before engagement, and ask whether the transmission fluid was serviced with the specified fluid.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 driving at low speeds in heavy traffic. This problem has caused me to bump into a truck resulting in damage to my right front fender.”

   NHTSA complaint #10171778, filed 2006-10, 21,340 miles

   “I just purchased 2005 Toyota Avalon limited. I experience terrible transmission hesitation/slippage. It is getting dangerous when I have to enter highway ramp because of transmission hesitation.when I coast at low speed, for example, I notice a red traffic light ahead and take my foot off the gas, the car then continues forward as if in gear and after a period of time it feels as if the transmission shifts to neutral, the rpms drop to below 1,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10121398, filed 2005-05, 15 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Cracking dashboard and interior panel deterioration

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the dashboard cracking, often starting near the passenger air bag area and spreading, with some saying the material later crumbles or becomes sticky. Complaints mention this appearing even on low-mileage cars and worsening in hot sun. Owners say dealers and the manufacturer declined assistance, and one complaint noted the vehicle identification number was not covered by a recall. Reported from around 20,000 miles upward, commonly on vehicles parked in strong sunlight.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dashboard in daylight for cracks, especially around the passenger air bag seam, and consider a sunshade if parking outside.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “First contacted Toyota motor sales u.s.a., inc. In torrance, ca. And advised them of my car troubles prior to going to dealership for service. I made them aware that I do not trust dealer service departments. They assigned me a case number and documented my issues with engine/powertrain malfunction that still exist today and both the dealer and Toyota motor sales have not addressed problem. Also, I stated to dealer that there was leakage surrounding the power steering pump. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10401756, filed 2011-05, 48,000 miles

   “Dashboard started showing cracks and is now deteriorating (crumbling). Major cracks on passenger side across the air bag. I have notified Toyota and taken it to local dealership with no resolution.”

   NHTSA complaint #10889200, filed 2016-07, 100,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Soft or unresponsive brake pedal

   • 14 complaints (6%)
   • median 65,600 mi at 6.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2020

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going soft or needing several pumps, and in some cases the car not slowing as expected when the pedal was pressed. Owners report being told the master cylinder needed replacement, and one owner noted the recall repair parts were not available for an extended period. Some complaints involve delay between pedal travel and actual braking. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 50,000 to over 150,000 miles.

   Recall 10V4990001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the brake fluid service history, ask whether recall 10V499000 for the master cylinder was completed, and test the pedal for firmness with the engine running.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2005 Avalon and there is a hesitation between the pushing of the brake pedal and the actual braking of the car, the same is true for the gas pedal. The service manager at the dealership went on a test drive with me and told me that these actions were found in other Toyota products and there was not yet a fix on them. I had taken the car back three times and on the final repair trip the service department wrote that the car was to manufacturer specs. I have filed a complaint with Toyota and have not received a response as of yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10145698, filed 2005-12, 5,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact was driving 20 MPH when the brakes were depressed but the vehicle did not respond and crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. On a second occasion while driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed a second time and the contact crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10435708, filed 2011-11, 90,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection check the steering column, brake pedal feel, and dashboard condition, and confirm that the accelerator pedal and master cylinder recalls were completed for this vehicle. A longer test drive at low speed in traffic will help show whether the throttle and transmission hesitation owners describe is present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.