MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota Avalon

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Toyota Avalon
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
205
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

62% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2004: 205 complaints 2004 205 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2004: 205 complaints 2004 205 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2004: 205 complaints 2004 205 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints

2004: 205 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201541
201623
201714
201824
201971
202010
202121
20228

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

62% · 128 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and on-off switch assembly.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. The contact was driving 20 MPH when he crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the airbags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head, nose, knees and lip.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-05

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the air bag warning indicator illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-08

Takata recall

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-04

Steering

14% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing pump and rack and pinion.

Vehicle speed control

12% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH into a parking space and depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle erroneously surged forward and crashed into a parked vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-08

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Toyota Avalon . The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the brakes were applied and the vehicle accelerated abnormally.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-20

Electrical system

5% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing ignition.

CRASH

Service brakes

4% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 205 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2010-09-07Steering10V345000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2000-2004 Avalon vehicles. Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface of the lock…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering interlock device free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2010. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2011-12-31Engine and engine cooling11V539000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 Avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 Camry, Camry Solara, Highlander, and Sienna vehicles, 2006 Highlander Hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus ES330 and RX330; and 2006…

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2015-08-24Air bags15V043000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29,...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 128 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V345000 · Steering
  • Recall 11V539000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V043000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota Avalon is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Avalon?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.