2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

osteoman2

I'm 39 and also came out of an 04 TL. The Avy is a much softer, quiter ride (except for that annoying rear shelf rattle. Yes I have it too!!) On the other hand I was constantly killing rattles on the TL, only to have three new ones for every one I fixed. I'm also not missing my TL. I am loving my 06 XLS Bizzard Pearl.

baltoman

Consumer Reports rated the Avalon as "average" for reliability.

This is in response to the numerous complaints about build quality, rattles, transmission shifts, etc on the new style Avalon.

Toyota claims it is trying to improve future Avalon models.

I liked the Avalon when I tested it, but passed. Paying 30-35K for hit or miss quality is not good odds.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-10-26-consumer-reports-usat_x.htm

captain2

probably 'cuz they didn't know how! Have found that whatever training Toyota should have done on a new model likely never happened. You might also want to double check the amount of oil they put in - our Avs take over 6 quarts - the service personnel just don't know - have read a number of posts complaining that the DEALERS were short filling.
anyway, recommend that you do it yourself (a little different but not difficult), if you are prone to doing things like this, and use a good synthetic 5W oil.

gbinplano

For many of us, the rear shelf rattle was actually mis-alignment of the rear strut towers, easily fixed by the dealer.

tinatina

Thanks for the information. That's a bummer as far as I concerned about the reliability. But I think its expected based on their Annual Auto Guide for April of 2005 indicating that first year cars tend to have more troubles. Where those the areas that really downgraded their overall score? I did not see it mentioned in that link.

alan_s

It's amazing. They'll "improve the models next year", but why does Toyota give us such a hard time when we call them with problems now? Aren't WE important because we are customers NOW? We know that there may be first (or second) year glitches, but why does Toyota insult our intelligence, deny the problems and tell us to go away until we are ready to buy something else from them, instead of working with us to resolve them?

These are the problems I've had, and the dealer has yet to address any of them:

a) Noisy tires. I eventually replaced them at my own cost.
b) Heatshields above rear mufflers rattling. I fixed this myself.
c) Heatshield above catalytic converter rattling. I need to get the car on a hoist to fix this one.
d) Front passenger seat rattle. I fixed this too.
e) Engine sounds like a diesel when cold. I hope the camshaft bearing fix reported in this forum will become available and the dealers won't claim ignorance, or "No problem found" and tell us it's normal for a Toyota engine to sound like a diesel.
f) Headlamp main-beam relay sticks in "on" position.

These are things that should have been caught at the factory, or professionally handled by the dealers and Toyota Corporate as we report them.

I can honestly say that based upon recent experience and Toyota's stone-walling, I will probably look elsewhere when the time comes for me to replace the Avalon.

I think I have found a solution to the transmission confusion. Drive with the tranny in S5 and it behaves just like a normal transmission without all the unnecessary "smarts" that occur when the selection is in D.

A shame about all of the above, because this really is a lot of very nice car for the money.

ange

Miles per gallon will lower when you drive at 40 mph or less as the car automatically stays in 4th gear. The engine rpms are higher per wheel rotation so more gas is used. Wind resistance is a big factor. At 75 mph on a turnpike run, long run, I'll loose 3-4 mph. At 60, I had 31 mpg.I think the best milage is around 50-55 mph. You can watch the tachometer along with speedometer and see where you find the most mph for the least rpms.

People who do alot of city driving most likely are in 4th gear and they are below the expected 31 mph. I would like to see the S mode allow the engine shift to 5th at a lower speed. We could pick up a few miles. ange1

paul_p

dcboater, you wrote: "I drove Cressidas from 1981 to 1993, and moved with some reluctance to a 1993 Camry Sport (now badged as XLE)."

Gosh, what I would give to be able to buy a New Cressida. Like they say, you don't know what you have (or can get) 'till its gone.

There seems to be a modern Cressida clone, I saw one when I taught in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year. I believe it was badged as the Toyota "Mark1". It looked like a luxury version of those Checker taxi cabs that used to dominate the streets of New York. My Avalon will have to suffice, and from some posters I hear it may even be better in some ways (i.e., MPG).

- Paul

06graylimited

Just bought 06 Gray Avalon Limited. Sold 2004 Camry XLE. Am 48.

06graylimited

Make sure your windshield is very clean. Hope this helps.

n0v8or

I wrote these hints for my own benefit, but they might also benefit those "do-it-yourselfers" who are accustomed to changing their own oil, but hesitant because the Avalon designers elected to use the latest 1951 oil filter technology instead of a conventional filter.

You can download the file at http://members.cox.net/n0v8or/avalon_oil_change.pdf

If you find any errors or ommisions, please let me know.

Toyota recommends a slightly different assembly order than I use. However, I did not see any benefit to their way, and it increases the chances the cap seal might fall out.

avaster

I paid cash for my avalon at classic toyota, Tyler Texas. I put $2000 down to hold the one I wanted until I could put the money together which took three days. The day I put the money down I test drove the car with 24 miles on the odom. In three days I came to finish paying for the car and it had 48 miles on it. I guess it became a demo for that three days. I wanted the car so I took it without rocking any boats, but then with 6000 miles on it the paint started coming off the bumper so I took it in and they repainted the bumper. I zeroed the trip odom sitting at the body shop. When I picked up the car in two days what should have been nothing but pulling the car in the shop and then returning it to the pick up spot outside the bodyshop took one mile. The length of the dealers lot 10 times. Maybe someone needed to go to the store, punching it the hole way. Now when I put the car in park, it will roll a little and stops with a clink. I could just be paranoid. NOT.

fin

This could be a complex question with no simple answer. But your post is a great start. You will achieve the best fuel mileage at a given speed by being in the highest gear possible (gear 5 in the '05 Avalon), as that produces the lowest rpm possible that will move the car forward at the given speed. Time is not considered here as the question does not include time. Hope this helps.

bahraini_zupra

thanks aloot man ur my saver
iam sending u an email throw my yahoo email or u can send me online on my msn messenger that i am gonna send on the same email .
yasterday got new rattle !!! its inside the glove box ! the upper side its so weird if anyone know how to take this apart 2 and fix the prob would be greatful and appreciated .

thanks alot .

bahraini_zupra

how could u fix the seat rattle ???

thanks

ososlick

I own a '05 xls and prefer to do my own maintenance. I was so very thrilled at my first oil change when I had to deal with that new messy and hard to get at filter cannister with its o-rings and filter drain tube instead of the simple screw off / screw on cartridge type filter which I could easily do in two minutes. :mad:

Now for another great Toyota innovation please refer to page 371 of the poorly written owners manual. I quote: "If either the left or right headlights, front fog, front turn signal / parking, front side marker, tail or back-up lights burns out, contact your Toyota dealer. NOTICE: Do not try to replace the headlights, front fog, front turn signal / parking, front side marker, tail or back-up light bulbs by yourself. You may damage the vehicle". Gee that is really good innovative engineering. So if I burn out a headlight at night or on a weekend I will have to put my vehicle out of service until such time when dealer is open and I have the time to get it to a dealer. Then I suppose the labor charge to change out the headlight will be another $100. :mad:

I am also grateful to Toyota for that intelligent transmission that hesitates and downshifts unnecessarily and unpredictably in slow moving traffic. It really sucks big time. :mad:

Last but not least I have to mention uneven exhaust pipes, rattles in the dash, rattles from passenger seat and seatbelt, rear doors that are much harder to open and close than are the front doors, questionable fit and finish and loose fog lights. :mad:

Had I been aware of all or any of the above I would never have purchased this vehicle. I am posting this information as a possible aid for some person who might be considering the purchase of a new Avalon. I would never buy another one. :mad:

algee

May I ask what tires you got and how much did they reduce the noise.

Thanks,

AL

avaster

Im starting too feel the same way.

yanker

CR reports that the Avalon is average in quality. That is a comedown but not unexpected. New models do that. Check their recent issues for a three year chart of several cars Always poorer in the first year improved in the second or third year.
Even Mercedes Benz had some bad years. Moral don't buy a model in the first year it is on the market in this case maybe the second year too

schultz2006

Thank you for the excellant post on changing oil. I would recomend it to anyone thinking about changing their oil in an avalon.

vince11

Is there a way of telling the build date of an Avalon by the VIN #? If there is, how?

johndjr

I read so many post about bad things in regards to the '05 Avalon.
Just to let someone know, I have one, have 5200 miles on it, have had it since 4 April.
I haven't had any of these things that people are complaining about. This car is tighter and smoother than the 4 M-B I've had and is on a par or just a little above the last car I had ( a 1998 Volvo S-80). Usually by this time, the M-B and Volvo had rattles like crazy (due to the rough dirt road I travel on ea time I leave the house) This Avalon still has NO rattles, squeaks etc. Makes no more noise than a crow bar when I drive it over that road. That says something for me.
Guess I'm just lucky.

avalonmike

After nearly 6K miles on our Avalon XLS, we have come to truly love it. The quickness that I have makes me just a bit evil in traffic and the outstanding gas mileage has been helpful with gas prices. It is a beautiful car and we love its looks.

We have had a couple of issues reviewed by our Toyota dealership without complete success but otherwise we are very happy.

Our greatest issue is the transmission hesitation. Toyota looked at it and said it was normal and might take up to 10,000 miles to learn. It is much better than 3,000 miles ago and now is only an issue in rush hour traffic here in Minneapolis,MN. Not a show stopper but can be an irritant when travel is already an irritant.

The second, more minor, issue was the passenger seat rattle. Again, not able to get it fixed by the dealership but my wife told me she discovered that tilting the passenger seat back forward (power seats) a bit seems to eliminate the rattle.

Overall, we love the car and my Chevy Avalanche (my baby) sits in the garage in favor of the gas mileage, zip, and comfort of the Avalon on the weekends.

Michael

zekeman1

johndjr - Gotta agree with you! I have an 05 LTD with almost 6K miles and so far, absolutely no issues with mine! Love it.
zekeman1

alan_s

Bahraini: I posted step by step instructions a couple of months ago on Post # 8011.

mozzzaaah

I fitted Michelins. They have the following markings: XSE, 'Energy' and X1. They are an improvement, but I think a lot of the problem is grippier road surfaces as I drive a lot of pool vehicles at work, including several brands and there always seems to be a surprising amount of road noise. When its not there on less used secondary roads, I suppose you don't notice. I must keep an eye (ear) on this as I travel a lot on secondary roads.

mozzzaaah

If I don't have the air con on my Camry will fog the windows completly within a minute or so. This is so bad there is not way you could drive. If its cold you have to run both the heater and the air con or whammo it will fog up in no time flat.

It also has a nasty smell whenever you crank up the air con. The mechanic (I don't go to the Toyota dealer after my first expensive visit, but use the local taxi base mechanic who is appaently the best and most honest mech in town) thought that it was moisture and bits of leaves, etc built up in the drain channels and e pulled them off and cleaned them without much result.

Any ideas? :confuse:

lgigante

When I gave my service manager my short list of problems to fix on my 05 Ltd., he looked at the list and said, "This should be no problem except I don't think we can do anything about the passenger seat rattle." I had come prepared and handed him the instruction sheet that I printed out from Pablo2 (Message # 8011). He stood there and read the step by step instructions and the color drained from his face and he said, "Well, I guess we're gonna fix it, aren't we?" AND THEY DID!
Thanks, Pablo2

avaster

Sounds like a leaking heater core.

mrtouring

what was on your list of problems to fix just want to compare??

n0v8or

Before spending $$$ to repair/replace the heater core, check that your HVAC system is not set permanently in the "recirculate" position. Even if the switch is in the fresh air position, the actuator could have failed. You can chack this by running the heater with a lit cigarette or incense held hear the outside air inlet. If you cannot smell it inside the car within a short time, fresh air is not working.

A leaking heater core usually causes a sweet smell. Heat a tablespoon of antifreeze on a piece of aluminum foil bent to form a shallow saucer, on your barbecue grill, to recognize the smell. You can get the sample of antifreeze from your radiator when the engine is cool. Throw the foil away afterward.

Another possibility is that your A/C drain is blocked. Do you live in a humid climate?

vbanks1

I took receipt of my Black 05 Avalon Limited in July. I have almost 3000 miles on it and I don't have a single complaint other than the nav compartment door sticking a bit from time to time; no biggie. This is the finest car I have ever driven and it turns heads ( young and old) wherever I go. It finally gives the term "punch it" some credibility. I feel for the owners that have experienced an undue share of difficulties, but I hope that they are in the minority of Avalon owners.

I remember when I purchased my 02 Avalon; I purchased it at a dealership that also sold BMW's. As I waited for my salesperson to finish with another customer I ventured to sit inside a BMW 745i. What a terrible thing to do; when I was finally given the keys to my new 02 I felt like I was sitting in a piece of crap. However, times have finally changed for the better. I did not feel that way when i picked up my 05; I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

This car is no longer a Japanese Buick; thank God because I was getting tired of the old-man car jokes.

06indigoavalon

I went to the Toyota website today and looked at the available colors for the 2006 Avalon, and it no longer shows Indigo Ink Pearl. Anyone have any idea when they stopped making this color?

tampagator

I just put a deposit on purchasing a Avalon XL in black. My wife and I are debating over the type of cloth interior to get in the car. The choice is either Gray or Ivory. She is a fan of Ivory and I like Gray. Although I think the Ivory looks fancier, I think the Ivory will get dirty much quicker compared to the Gray.

Any suggestions on the best look as well as what will be the most durable long-term as I intend to keep the car 6 years. I just kept my Camry for 8.5 years.

Thanks,

Tampa Gator

tampagator

I am trying to sell my 1997 Camry LE with 93,500 miles on it. What has anyone's luck been with Car Max when comparing the price offered vs the Kelly Blue Book Trade in Value?

The blue book value on this car is $2380.

Thanks,

Tampa Gator

skrumph

After reading many postings about Laser Cruise Control, I am beginning to doubt that my dealer was telling me the truth. When my 2006 LTD arrived without Laser CC I was told that Toyota was having problems with the system when it rained and that was the only reason that the car was delivered to me without the ordered Laser CC. Any one aware of this problem?

joel232

I am thinking to buy a 2006 Avalon, but this article on cars.com said Toyota is addressing complaints about Avalon, but should improve it reliability next years...

- Reliability Report Has Japanese Brands Showing 'Nicks'
link title

regis

"Reliability Report Has Japanese Brands Showing 'Nicks"

My 2006 Avalon was delivered August 20th. After 4000KM, I have experienced none of the problems mentioned in this forum. I'm wondering if Toyota has remedied some of the trouble spots with this year's model? In Canada, we are not offered options like rain sensing wipers, seat extensions, ventilated seats etc. that some complain about so maybe that's why. Are 06 owners experiencing the same problem frequency as 05's? :confuse:

bahraini_zupra

thanks dude but i dont hear any rattle from the passenger side only the seat vibrates a little .

the most annoying things is the rear rattle whichs INV8or is helpin me fixing that and the weird unknown rattle from behind the casset player or the glove box or center console not sure what is it but as i know when i press tha gas this thing tick backwordly then when i hit the brake it falls on the forword side ! if this makes any sense i'll try the dealer but i know they are not gonna do any thing

thanks alot guys .

mstem

Tampa Gator,

Ref your interior color choice: you know if the wife wants one thing, and you go with the other, you will regret it a hundredfold!! Now, having said that, I ordered Ivory in my 06 Avy and love it. I kind of agonized over the Gray vs. Ivory thing; the main reason I went with Ivory is that we already have the Gray in our 4-Runner. Since my Avy is only a little over a month old I certainly can't comment on the color's durablity. I tend to take pretty good care of my vehicles so a little extra care in maintaining Ivory didn't really bother me. You will like either color I am sure. Just remember the "wife" thing mentioned above...

Mike

avaster

Please let us know when you find out what the problem is.

pat

Here's the right place: Toyota Camry.

oldjack

I bought my '05 Limited in March.

Previously drove a Lexus GS300, and had every intention of buying an '06 GS - until I checked out the Avy Ltd. Test drove both cars on the same day. More room, more power, equal comfort (more in the back seat) and luxury for about ten grand less, comparably equipped. Another former Lexus owner has commented on the high cost of Lexus service - Right On! I may not get the "free" loaner and "free" car wash, but I pay less than half what Lexus charges for routine service.

This is an outstanding car and a fantastic value. I have had NONE of the various complaints that some others have reported here and required no corrections of any kind when I had my initial service visit or subsequently. On a recent trip to Tennessee and back I burned 35.1 gallons over 1042 miles for 29.7 mpg. This was more than 3 mpg better than any trip mileage with the Lexus.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems others have had, but based on my own experience I can't imagine a better car for the money.

3puttmax

When my 2006 LTD arrived without Laser CC I was told that Toyota was having problems with the system when it rained

skrumph -

The laser CC turns off when the windshield wipers operate. Presumably this is because the LCC becomes unreliable in the wet. This is the way it's designed, not a system fault. You can still use the old-fashioned non-laser cruise control when it's raining. It's a bit of a nuisance, but I still really like the LCC. If you live in Seattle, then the LCC may not get much use. I live in LA.

Max

luvmyavalon

I took delivery of my 06 Avalon XLS on September 20th and, as I mentioned in an early posting, this is the BEST car I have ever had. I haven't been having any of the problems that others have been posting except for a bit of transmission hesitation off an on in city driving. I have read that there is a "breaking in period" where the computer is learning driving habits, so this has not bothered me. The hesitation is minimal and certainly can be lived with. Everything works great and I don't have any rattles, loose lights, paint problems, etc. I recommend the new Avalon to anyone who asks about it.

I had to wait four months to get this car in the blizzard, and, after reading this forum regularly, I switched my preference from the limited to the XLS after 3 months. A number of the problems seemed to be coming from limited owners, so I don't know if those problems were more prevalent in the limiteds or if they caught some of the problems and took care of them before the 06 models rolled out. If so, there was something good about having to wait so long for the car...it rolled over to the 2006 model.

I love driving this car and everything about it. In my opinion, it is a WINNER!

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captain2

Mine a Touring - and also the best car I've ever owned. After 15K can report no rattles;., tranny problem, if you can call it that, limited to a slight pause (in D as opposed to manual mode ) if I nail the accelerator hard from a standing start. Engaging the throttle a little more smoothly and in normal driving my transmission is smooth and transparent. Don't figure that my Av is a drag racer, but I guess I could put it in 'manual' , leave some rubber and eliminate that pause in the process. If this 'pause' is what many of you are complaining about - guess I don't really understamd the problem.
The Av is a new model that also happens to be built in the USA, don't know that it is reasonable to expect it to be as trouble free as let's say a Camry that has been built in its present form for several years. Further, I would anticipate that the Ltd. will likely have more problems than the XL - there are simply more things to go wrong! Only logical and a little of Murphy's law, I guess.
Happy to report also that just finished a long trip - 500 miles, 31.9 mpg, 65 mph on the cruise and the first time I've actually had the trip odo (uncorrected) over 500 miles on a single tank. Meanwhile, it seems that word is finally gettimg out on our Avs - had several comments like "is that the new Avalon that's like a BMW?" Guess it does have some resemblance rearview anyway. To which I respond - it's bigger and quieter, more like a Lexus, can keep up with many of the BMWs, but not the same sort of driver's car - and, routine brake jobs don't cost $1200.00, it's $25-30k (or more) less expensive, AND I also don't figure to have any compelling reason to sell the car once it gets out of warranty.

gypsy13

.."Gypsy, I love customers like you. They don't like to "dicker" but in fact that's all you're doing until you get the "rock bottom" price aren't you?"

No, Mackabee, I like to ask around for the highest price. Your inference is that calling around to different dealers is somehow disingenuous and a form of "dickering," and that seems to irritate you. At least it avoids the kind of back and forth and sleight of hand tactics some salesman almost cynically deploy, and it is clean. If you think a customer's saying "Give me your best price and I'll take it or leave it," and doing so with several dealers is somehow wrong or makes you want to pop a blood vessel in your neck, then tell me, from the customer's perspective, why.

It may surprise you that I could have purchased my Limited for a bit less at a different dealership -- but I didn't, because I liked the dealership I bought from. They would never think to utter a backhand insult via the phrase "I just love customers like you"....followed by a criticism. If you are a salesman, as you imply, your attitude is precisely why I called around.

lgigante

I had noise in the read shelf area which they fixed. Loose fog light lenses and drivers mirror that vibrated, which they ordered parts for. Since then I was hit by hurricane Wilma and will need a complete repaint job.. Bummer!

will16

Hi

We just purchased a 06 XL with Ivory interior, I went to my local auto upholstry shop and had the seats done in a two tone vinyl interior(have small dog) with a driver side seat heater,for $999, looks great, and very practical
Bill in CT.

leinad

Has anyone found a product that will clean the door thresholds well, that continually recieve scuff marks from shoes getting in and out of the driver's seat?

Thanks in advice for any advice!

Love the Invisible GLass!

jd