2005 Toyota Avalon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Toyota Avalon has 228 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 82, and 7 recalls, ranking 4th worst of 18 model years with a rank of Avoid. Engine problems dominate at 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #4 of 18 Avalon years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 228
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 36
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 1
Top 2005 Toyota Avalon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine102 (45%)
- Steering42 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (14%)
- Brakes26 (11%)
- Electrical System21 (9%)
- Structure & Body19 (8%)
- Other14 (6%)
- Airbags12 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (5%)
- Fuel System6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden acceleration episodes where the vehicle surged forward even with the brake applied, sometimes crashing into walls or other vehicles.
- Several complaints mention unintended acceleration while parking or pulling into a driveway, with the brake pedal failing to stop the car.
- One owner reported a burning oil smell while driving that turned out to be an engine oil leak found later in a parking lot.
- A transmission or rear-end noise was noticed shortly after a routine service visit and dismissed by the dealer before a later incident occurred.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in at least one crash involving a bus collision.
- Headlights were described as auto-adjusting to a setting too dim for safe night driving, which owners linked to a crash.
2005 Toyota Avalon recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
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. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 10V499000Oct 21, 2010Brakes728,544 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
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.
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 lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
- NHTSA 10V036000Feb 3, 2010Other153,418 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
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 southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2005 Toyota Avalon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Toyota Avalon reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 228 complaints and a complaint index of 82, ranking it 4th worst among 18 Avalon model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Avalon years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Toyota Avalon?
- Engine complaints lead at 45% of all reports (102 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 48,000, and include reports of unintended acceleration and oil leaks.
- Does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2005 Avalon, covering steering, airbags, engine accelerator pedals, brakes, and body/structure issues, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Avalon compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 82 is lower than 2006 (100) and 2008 (88) but higher than most years from 2009 onward, placing it among the worse years for reported problems.
- What fuel economy does the 2005 Avalon get?
- EPA rates the 2005 Avalon at 22 mpg combined (19 city/28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.