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

Speed control leads the list, followed by steering and power train. See the problems section above.

Does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes, the by-year data shows recalls for this model year. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Toyota Avalon?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2005 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Owner complaints are spread across several groups, led by speed control. Read the problems and year comparison sections to judge for yourself.

2005 Toyota Avalon Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have?

NHTSA has 228 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 228 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Toyota Avalon^[1]. The biggest group is speed control, with 72 complaints^[2].

228owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

22MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners raise most, biggest first.

Speed Control. 72 complaints^[2]. Owners describe cruise control that surges or slows the car with no warning to drivers behind, and a throttle that stuck open. Some also describe a lag when the car decides which gear to use.
Steering. 42 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe noises when turning the wheel, a jerking feel at low speed, and a telescoping wheel that collapsed.
Power Train. 33 complaints^[6]. Owners describe hesitation and slipping when pulling onto a highway ramp or coasting slowly, and dealers who found nothing wrong.
Engine. 31 complaints^[7]. Owners describe oil pressure warnings and a stall after service, loose motor mounts, and a sulfur smell under hard acceleration.
Brakes. 24 complaints^[8]. 8 of these complaints mention a crash^[8].
Electrical System. 17 complaints^[9].
Structure. 15 complaints^[10].
Air Bags. 12 complaints^[11].

These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2005 Avalon is necessarily included.

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (16V396), June 2016. About 7,749 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder (10V499), October 2010. About 728,544 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V036), February 2010. About 153,418 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (10V017), January 2010. About 2,230,661 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (09V388), October 2009. About 4,445,056 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death.^[16]
Air Bags (06V096), April 2006. About 133 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[17]
Steering › Column (05V227), May 2005. About 4,855 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	19 / 28 / 22	$3,050

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None^[19].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
AVALON 4DR SEDAN XL/XLS^[20]	196 in	72 in	59 in	110 in	3,424 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Avalon model year. The 2005 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

NHTSA's counts for the Avalon show 228 complaints and 7 recalls for 2005^[3]. Among the 28 model years listed, 23 have fewer complaints than 2005 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (8) and the most are for 2006 (360)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2005 Avalon?

The 2005 Avalon has 228 complaints on file^[1]. Speed control stands out, with 72 complaints^[2] and 23 crashes tied to that group^[2]. Steering and power train come next^[5]^[6]. Recalls exist for this year, so check the Recalls section on this page^[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Avalon?: Speed control leads the list, followed by steering and power train^[2]^[5]^[6]. See the problems section above.
Does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have recalls?: Yes, the by-year data shows recalls for this model year^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have?: NHTSA has 228 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Toyota Avalon?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2005 Toyota Avalon reliable?: Owner complaints are spread across several groups, led by speed control^[2]. Read the problems and year comparison sections to judge for yourself.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Avalon

2000 173 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 205 complaints, 3 recalls
2005 this page
2006 360 complaints, 7 recalls
2007 243 complaints, 6 recalls
2008 349 complaints, 6 recalls
2011 106 complaints, 1 recall
2013 160 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Toyota Avalon

Other Toyota models from 2005

2005 Toyota Sequoia 352 complaints, 9 recalls
2005 Toyota Sienna 1,130 complaints, 12 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2005: large cars

2005 Buick LeSabre 77 complaints, 0 recalls
2005 Chevrolet Malibu 1,393 complaints, 4 recalls
2005 Ford Crown Victoria 193 complaints, 5 recalls
2005 Lincoln Town Car 119 complaints, 3 recalls
2005 Mercury Grand Marquis 488 complaints, 4 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 228 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Toyota Avalon (36 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 21 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
72 complaints name the speed control component group (23 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,900). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Avalon model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Avalon, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
42 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
33 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,170). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,500). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,500). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,214). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,650). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V499, filed October 21, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V017, filed January 21, 2010: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V388, filed October 5, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 06V096, filed April 3, 2006: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 05V227, filed May 16, 2005: Steering › Column. 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 196 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,424 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.

2005 Toyota Avalon: problems, recalls and fuel economy