2005 Toyota Avalon Touring from North America - Comments

1. Jerky transmission at low speeds.

2. Heavy brake pedal, have to put a lot of foot into the pedal to get decent braking.

3. Transmission slips on occasion when on the highway trying to engage a passing gear. The engine will rev really high and then JAM into gear and take off like super man.

4. The computer mpg reading doesn't work right after two restarts. It will stay at 12-16mpg reading until I fill the tank with gas. Only then does it reset and show actual MPG. Have had mpg of up to 33mpg. But after two restarts the computer no longer gives a proper mpg reading.

5. The climate control has its own mind. Sometimes the heat or ac will come on and never adjust itself to the temp you have set. Might as well use the non-automatic mode.

6. Paint chips very easy, fog lights jiggle.

7. The manual/sport mode is worthless except it does help with the transmission hunting problem. But on a 30k car one shouldn't have to use the sport mode because the automatic mode doesn't work properly.

8. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, HESITATION, JAMMING INTO GEAR.

What’s up Toyota? I am losing my faith in your reliability and quality. I am actually considering a domestic car now... something I thought I would never do. Seems like the more modern cars become, the less reliable they are and more problems.

This is the first time I spend over 20k for a car. And I must admit I am disappointed. It will be the last car I spend 20k+ on. Back to buying used cars for under 15k.

1. Very powerful engine and acceleration when the transmission does work.

2. Great highway gas mileage. Have gotten 33mpg before. Mostly it is in the 28-31 range.

3. The car is pretty comfortable, handles well with the touring model.

4. Huge back seat and comfortable, they recline!

5. I like the looks of the car, sporty, not flamboyant. Long big car.. Yet feels smaller than it is.

6. I like the JBL sound system with surround sound. Meets my needs.

7 Fairly quiet ride, a little louder than the xls, xl and limited model due to the touring suspension/tires.

8. The motor has a ticking to.

Why have you not brought this car to the dealership?If it only has 28k and your having all of these problems. All of the problems can be fixed under warranty.

Apparently the commenter has never owned a Toyota. It is next to IMPOSSIBLE to get them to repair defects under the warranty. Japanese companies are notorious for refusing warranty repairs.

Why is it every time there is a neg comment about Toyota, pro Toyota people say it's cause we are jealous.

Let me set the record straight on my owning this 05 Avalon. I bought it about a year ago. It had 15k miles. It now has 25k. I take care of this car; park it where no one parks to keep peoples dumb doors off it. So I am not neglecting my car.

I didn't notice these problems until after riding it more than around the block... Yesterday I was at Toyota and this is what they had to say about my complaints..

Transmission Problem - Tech told me all their 3.5liter 5spd transmissions have problems that Toyota has not ironed out yet. He actually agreed with me that it is not worth buying a brand new car. Hence I should have waited another year or two to see if Toyota worked out the issues with the transmission/computer. For the record their 2007 models still have issues. Yet they do not disclose that to the customer. The tech told me to periodically check in to see if they have any software updates for the shift patterns. Which thus far have not come out yet.

MPG reading - He tells me this is normal, Toyota designed the mpg reading to show the average mpg per tank of gas. OK, so I guess my average is 16mpg? Doesn't sound right to me, so must be a normal operating flaw.

Brakes - Says they work fine... no problem there. Of course having them check the brakes cost me 50 bucks in diagnostic charges and they still feel dull and heavy.

Steering wheel clicking - Tech states he doesn't see a problem; however there is a TSB recall on the steering column. And they have ordered a new steering column.

Heat issue - Because it is intermittent, they cannot do anything about it. Have to make an apt when it happens again, however it comes and goes, so by the time I can get into the shop the problem fixes itself…temporarily.

I have owned numerous domestic cars. And always found them to be less reliable and less refined. I switched to imports when I bought my 96 maxima which I loved, a 95 max which my gf owned and loved.. She now has a 2002 max and we love that too. I had a 2000 Avalon, was a nice car, but underpowered and ugly, other than that was nice. I also owned a 96 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 for 5 years. Loved it until I sold it with 160k.

So, I have had great experience with imports. But sorry, the Avalon which is supposed to be Toyota flagship sedan.. is junk because of the little issues and primarily because of the transmission issues. Which means all the other vehicles with the 3.5..is also junk. Until they fix that issue I would not recommend any of their vehicles with the 3.5l.

This is the first time I have ever had to use toyota service. In the 5 years I owened my tacoma, I only had to have the starter and rear leaf springs replaced. I still love toyota's...but right now... spending 26k...it ain't worth it.

Regardless what you say, And I respect your OPINION About their quality not dropping the fact is that it IS dropping... you just need to admit it to yourself. Domestic car makers are catching up to their import rivals. If toyota would fix their issues with the new 3.5ltr line up, I would be more comfortable with saying they are reliable, but their quality is still dropping. Sorry crooked dash boards, inaccurate computer readings, and loose parts is a drop in quality as I am concerned... not to mention the major flaw of messed up transmissions... And the avalon is now 3 yrs into production and they all have transmission problems still.. by the time they fix it my warranty will run out.

Toyota reliability and quality is not what it used to be. Their 80's and 90's are much better in reliability than today. Toyota can't keep up and in a few more years domestics will take over, producing cheaper and just as reliable cars than the imports do. I know it is hard for you to admit it... but some day you will see the light.

Here are some websites to look up toyotas quality flaws and transmissions problems pertaining to the 2005-2007 avalon. Buyer beware and avoid all Toyota 3.5 liter 5spd auto vehicles..

http://fourwheeldrift.wordpress.com/2007/01/16/toyota-avalon-transmission-problems-expose-toyotas-problem-reporting-problems/

http://www.lemonlawclaims.com/toyota_avalon_transmission_problem.htm

Auto Week discusses the avalon and the drop in quality.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060501/FREE/60501002/1024/LATESTNEWS

I have owned brand new Toyota Corollas (1973, 1978) new Camry (1985) and 2 new Avalons (2002, 2005). During that time I have also owned a new used Chevy Impala (1973), new Grand AM (1985), Bonneville (1993), new Cirrus (first year they came out), new Chrysler T&C and a low mileage Taurus SHO. So one can say I have had experiences with both Japanese and American cars. My preference? Well, you can say I was partial to Toyota. I got better gas mileage, had fewer problems and had a quieter driving experience.

However, since my experience with my 2005 Avalon, I can honestly say that Toyota dropped the ball. My Avalon has plenty of rattles, squeaks and other irritating noises that none of my other Toyotas ever had. (Only my Ford Taurus had more rattles.) I cannot blame that on more sophisticated accessories. I have to blame that on quality build control. Yes, I too have the transmission problems talked about everywhere.

Will I buy another Toyota? I will let you know in about 2 years when I replace my 1997 T&C (no problem with that soccer Mom car) and my 2005 Avalon when the lease expires. My guess is probably not.

Well got my av back from the body shop...but they messed the paint job up so i have to bring it back. Thanks to some idiot who side swiped me on the highway. also have to take the car back to toyota so they can replace the steering column, recall for this. The fog light is loose and the trim that goes around the fog light housing fell off the other day. Had to snap it back on...what's the deal with that? As soon as the body shop and toyota complete the repairs... i am getting rid of this car. It has been a nightmare from day 1...i am disgusted with toyota. This is my first neg experience with a toyota, however. at 26k i am not letting it slide. I could see if this was a corolla issue or something..but this is the top of the line model....people spend more more money on these cars to get more quality and options....all i am getting is headaches.....

No the moron who sideswiped me isn't because of toyota..but i never been in an accident before....i buy a new car and then BAM....

I am sticking to used inexpensive vehicles...

-Same problems with the transmission on my 2005 Avalon Touring. I have taken it to the Dealership 4 times with the same complaint, but they say they cannot find anything wrong. Like I told them, the car performs just fine 95% of the time, but it is the 5% that is the problem. It is concerning and also embarrassing when I have a client with me and the transmission slips or jerks. I had a 97 Avalon that I passed on to a relative with 140K miles that I felt more confident about than this one with 26K miles.

I ask everyone I run into at gas stations and in parking lots who are driving the new body Avalon, and they all say they have the same problem... why can't Toyota come up with a fix.

Another smaller complaint is vinyl on the driver's side armrest started de-laminating at @15K miles. The dealership replaced, but again, my 97 Avalon, which now has 160K miles still looks fine.

After owning Honda and

Acuras, bought 2005 Avalon, never again, power great, mileage not what dealer states, but the biggest issue I have is that this car RATTLE and SQUEAKS like a 52 Ford. After numerous trips to the dealer they admit a service bulletin and took the rear window out, added some spot welds, and that took care of the rattles in the rear window/headline area. The same rattle also emanates from the door post/headliner area by the front passenger seat. Also the transmission shift rough, and front end noise (clicking) when you first start out. This is last Avalon for me unless significant improvements in newer models.