MYRModel Year Report

2005 Toyota Avalon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Toyota Avalon
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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, 2005 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 2005: 228 complaints 2005 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
2005: 228 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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 26%

26% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 59 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS BACKING INTO MY GARAGE AND SUDDENLY I COULD NOT CONTROL MY CAR. IT ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT STOP IT. I HIT THE BRAKE AND CAR DIDNT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO MY REFRIGERATOR IN THE GARAGE. IT HAPPENED SO FAST, LIKE A BAD DREAM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180218

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO AN EARLIER ACCIDENT UP AHEAD. VEHICLE SPEED AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH. WITHOUT WARNING THE AVALON SURGED AHEAD AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120312

STEERING 14%

14% of complaints: steering — 32 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20231117

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 228
R 20050502 — steering

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,

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

Campaign 05V227000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060406 — air bags

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 A

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.

Campaign 06V096000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091231 — vehicle speed control

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 FL

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. THES

Campaign 09V388000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100205 — vehicle speed control

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 M

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

Campaign 10V017000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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."

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 S

Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101115 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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

Campaign 10V499000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160714 — seats

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,...

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.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (59 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V227000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V096000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V017000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V499000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) 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 2005 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Toyota Avalon is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Avalon?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have?

7 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.