The Lemon Index2005 Toyota Avalon.
The 2005 Toyota Avalon is about average by owner complaints: 66 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 100, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Toyota Avalon year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 228 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Avalon year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 85K miles on the car (180 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 16K–79K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 31K–71K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 0K–55K miles
Recalls 7
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- brakes 2010
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.
- equipment 2010
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 S…
Show all 7 recalls
- speed control 2010
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 MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 …
- speed control 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- airbags 2006
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 AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUN…
- steering 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING YOKE WAS NOT WELDED TO THE STEERING SHAFT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 204 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering column noise
- Multiple warning lights illuminated, vehicle not shifting from park to driver
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2005 Avalon makes a whistling noise that comes from the window, and there is a knocking sound when turning. Gears felt as though they were slipping.
2005 Toyota Avalon owner · NHTSA complaint 10154095
More owner reports
Transmission delay upon exhilaration that put me in a poison of accident, since the car doesn't react or respond on time.
NHTSA complaint 10223042
2005 Toyota Avalon acceleration surge when braking. Almost rear ended stopped vehicle. Went to dealer they could not duplicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10192390
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Toyota Avalon reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 100; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Avalon year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota Avalon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (32%), transmission & drivetrain (32%) and steering (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have?
7 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Toyota Avalon get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Avalon problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,300 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 47,800 miles, from 180 complaints.
Does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 32% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Toyota Avalon cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Avalon year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works