What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Avalon?

Air bags are the largest complaint group with 127 of 205 complaints. Steering has 28 and speed control has 25.

Does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes, 3: an air bag control module (15V043), a crankshaft pulley (11V539) and a steering lock bar (10V345).

What is the gas mileage of a 2004 Toyota Avalon?

EPA rates it at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined mpg.

Is the 2004 Avalon the worst year for complaints?

No. 2004 has 205 complaints, and 2006 has 360.

2004 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 205 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Avalon, and air bags are the biggest group^[1]^[2]. The car has 3 recalls on file, so check that each one was done before you buy^[3].

205owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

22MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 205 complaints for this model year^[1]. Of those, 27 mention a crash, 17 mention injuries and 2 deaths were reported^[1]. These are owner reports and NHTSA does not verify them. One complaint can name more than one part.

Air bags, 127 complaints. This is the largest group, with 8 crashes and 8 injuries^[2]. The median mileage at failure is 81,481^[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe an air bag warning light that comes on and off (7 of 12), often with dealers unable to find the cause at first^[2]. Two of the 12 describe damaged wiring found later^[2].
Steering, 28 complaints. No crashes or injuries are listed^[5]. The median mileage at failure is 55,199^[5]. In the sample, owners describe steering that suddenly turned stiff or hard to turn (7 of 12)^[5].
Speed control, 25 complaints. This group has 16 crashes and 8 injuries^[6]. In the sample, owners describe the car surging or speeding up without warning (11 of 12)^[6]. In 2 of the 12, the dealer could not reproduce it^[6].
Electrical system, 11 complaints. Median mileage at failure is 120,000^[7]. In the sample, owners describe waiting for air bag recall parts, in some cases with an air bag light on (8 of 11)^[7].

Smaller groups are engine with 8 complaints^[8], seat belts with 7^[9], brakes with 6^[10] and power train with 4^[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year^[3]. Newest first:

Air bag control module (15V043). Electrical noise can make a part in the air bag control module fail. The front air bags, side air bags or seat belt pretensioners could then go off while you drive. That raises the risk of an injury or a crash. Dealers replace the module free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015^[12]. It also replaces earlier noise filter repairs from recalls 13V029 and 14V147^[12].
Crankshaft pulley (11V539). Too little adhesive in the crankshaft pulley can let the outer ring slip. The power steering belt could come off. You would lose power steering help and steering would suddenly take more effort, which raises the risk of a crash. Add: The recall covers certain 2004 Avalons built from June 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005^[13]. The fix was expected to begin in early January 2012^[13].
Steering lock bar (10V345). A crack can form in the steering lock bar over many lock and unlock cycles. If the bar breaks, the steering wheel locks and the driver cannot steer. Dealers replace the steering interlock device free of charge. The recall began on September 7, 2010^[14].

Remove the sentence.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 3.0L 6-cylinder, 4-speed automatic, front-wheel drive Avalon on regular fuel at 19 mpg city, 27 highway and 22 combined^[4]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,050, based on EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new^[4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA shows no 5-star safety rating for this car^[15].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan XL/XLS and can differ slightly from US models^[16].

Measure	Value
Length	192 in
Width	72 in
Height	58 in
Wheelbase	107 in
Curb weight	3,439 lb

The engine EPA tested was a 3.0L 6-cylinder^[4].

How 2004 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Avalon model year. The 2004 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	80	0
1996	109	0
1997	125	1
1998	178	1
1999	92	1
2000	173	2
2001	134	2
2002	116	1
2003	293	2
2004	205	3
2005	228	7
2006	360	7
2007	243	6
2008	349	6
2009	91	7
2010	46	7
2011	106	1
2012	30	4
2013	160	4
2014	114	4
2015	53	2
2016	25	4
2017	14	2
2018	25	2
2019	72	5
2020	10	4
2021	27	2
2022	8	0

The 2004 model year has 205 complaints and 3 recalls^[3]. Five years have more complaints: 2003 with 293, 2005 with 228, 2006 with 360, 2007 with 243 and 2008 with 349^[3]. That makes 2004 the sixth highest of the 28 years listed^[3]. Model years 2005 to 2010 each have 6 or 7 recalls, more than 2004^[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales^[3].

Should you buy a used 2004 Avalon?

The data points to three things to check. Make sure the air bag module recall, the steering lock bar recall and the pulley recall were all done^[12]^[13]^[14]. Ask about any air bag warning light, since owners describe it in the sample of air bag complaints we read^[2]. Owners also describe sudden stiff steering and unexpected acceleration, though the sample is small^[5]^[6]. Fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg combined^[4]. Remove the sentence.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Avalon?: Air bags are the largest complaint group with 127 of 205 complaints^[1]^[2]. Steering has 28^[5] and speed control has 25^[6].
Does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have recalls?: Yes, 3: an air bag control module (15V043), a crankshaft pulley (11V539) and a steering lock bar (10V345)^[12]^[13]^[14].
What is the gas mileage of a 2004 Toyota Avalon?: EPA rates it at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined mpg^[4].
Is the 2004 Avalon the worst year for complaints?: No. 2004 has 205 complaints, and 2006 has 360^[3].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 205 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Toyota Avalon (27 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 17 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
127 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,481). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Avalon model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Avalon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
28 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,199). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the speed control component group (16 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,541). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 15V043, filed January 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V539, filed November 9, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V345, filed July 29, 2010: Steering. NHTSA recall database
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVALON 4DR SEDAN XL/XLS: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,439 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2004 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and fuel economy