2005 Toyota Avalon recalls and problems

The 2005 Toyota Avalon has 7 safety recalls and 228 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
228
Crashes / fires
36 / 3
Injuries / deaths
21 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Toyota Avalon vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Toyota Avalon recalls

Recall 16V-396: Seats

Reported Jun 2, 2016 · 7,749 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-499: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 21, 2010 · 728,544 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-036: Equipment

Reported Feb 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles affected · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-017: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Jan 21, 2010 · 2,230,661 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-388: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Oct 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 06V-096: Air Bags

Reported Apr 3, 2006 · 133 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 05V-227: Steering

Reported May 16, 2005 · 4,855 vehicles affected · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: Loss of control of the vehicle could result in a crash.

Fix: 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.

2005 Toyota Avalon problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Vehicle Speed Control72
Steering43
Power Train34
Engine and Engine Cooling26
Electrical System18
Service Brakes, Hydraulic17
Structure15
Air Bags13
Unknown or Other10
Engine7
Service Brakes7
Suspension6

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 12
  • Steering › Column — 9
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 8
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 8
  • Structure › Body — 7
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 6
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 47,900 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Toyota Avalon complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Nov 7, 2024
I have been experiencing sponginess in the brakes. the air conditioner stopped working, the temperature gauges stopped working, and the ABS and Brake light are all on in the dash. Reviewing possible fixes according to Toyota Nation Forum online all these symptoms are a result of an ABS Control Module. This part alone costs almost $1500.00 and supposedly is a very common problem with this type of Avalon, Thank you for researching this further.
Vehicle Speed Control · at 88,000 miles · reported Oct 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed and became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
Vehicle Speed Control · at 170,000 miles · reported Aug 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The vehicle then returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under recall. The…
Electrical System · at 165,000 miles · reported May 8, 2024
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.
Power Train · reported Nov 17, 2023
After the alternator and battery dies the car went right back to accelerating by itself into traffic, I contacted Toyota and explained that after the battery and alternator died the problem came right back but they seem not to care

Other Toyota Avalon years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2005 Toyota Avalon: 16V-396 (seats), 10V-499 (service brakes, hydraulic), 10V-036 (equipment), 10V-017 (vehicle speed control), 09V-388 (vehicle speed control) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Toyota Avalon?

Owners report vehicle speed control problems most often (72 reports), followed by steering (43). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 47,900 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.