MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota Avalon

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Toyota Avalon
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Avalon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 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 2003 2004: 205 complaints 2004 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 359 complaints 2007: 242 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 44 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 40 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 66 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2022
2004: 205 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006359
2007242
2008349
200991
201044
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201540
201623
201714
201824
201966
202010
202121
20228

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 60%

60% of complaints: air bags — 122 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20120405

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, 20180808

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI report, 20180304

STEERING 12%

12% of complaints: steering — 24 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%

11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20130508

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, 20120320

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SEAT BELTS 3%

3% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 205
R 20100907 — steering

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 B

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.

Campaign 10V345000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20111231 — engine and engine cooling

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 L

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 CHARGE

Campaign 11V539000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150824 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (122 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V345000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V539000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V043000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2008 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

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 60% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.