2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

doobre

Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 - 215/55/17 make a huge difference to the ride and quietness... its like another car... the default 'standard' Toyo's fitted here in Dubai were making such a din after only 40,000kms..

shame all the other problems with this car are not so easily fixed...
chers
CD

b1gator

Sorry to hear about the problems you are having. I have an 05 Limited and have the same clunk in the steering column. I had it in for the second time for this problem before Christmas. There is a TSB out for this and they have ordered a steering shaft for my car but it has not been received as of yet. i tried to get an explanation from the Service writer about what the problem is and the best he could provide was that there was too much "play" in the steering linkage., i have not experienced any other problems other than the well documented Nav system problems and no display of CD information (Artist/Track)when playing CDs. I wish you luck with your car. :confuse:

tkevinc1

Best of luck with the TSB. They replaced my steering box under the same circumstances and it did nothing to correct the clunking. It continues to worsen by the day and is now incessant when the turning to the right. Please let us know if anyone has any positive resolution.

jlsexton

Do you have a Lemon Law, if so use it, otherwise do the small claims court thing and SUE the dealer. I have had to sue in the past(reluctantly) but it is a simple process, BUT be prepared to make several court appearances, it is a game lawyers play to discourage you, as in my client is sick, my client had a death in the family, my client is tied up in a business deal etc,etc, etc. My 06 Limited, so far, has been great. I did try to have them remove my remote start or re-program it or whatever would make it work. Their reply was they would test it to see if it worked as was designed. I will now write a letter to the editor and state the problems mentioned here at CarSpace. GOOD LUCK, maybe if this was made MORE public as in more letters to the editor they would fix them. Also if there are any lawyers on this blog perhaps you might give some advice on a class-action suit.

james03

I have a 05 Avalon (Limited) We haven't had any real problem with it. It has been taken back to the dealership approx. 3 times because of the panel on the navigation controls kept becoming lose, which might have been done by a mechanic during an oil change. I also have a 00' Avalon, I do hear a noise coming from the steering column almost like a purring noise, other than that no other problems. We have a total of 3 cars from toyota and we don't really have a problem with them. The best advise I can give you is to call the actual Toyota plant in Kentucy. The address and phone number should be on either the driver door or passenger (where the door latches are). I sorry to hear about that, and I wish you the best of luck with your Avalon.

rbarbot

dcboater

go to the avalon area regarding "solving starting problems" and read my lates post on the arbitration process.

rpfingsten

ok boys help me out here... when I bought my 07 avy the only thing I hated about it was the fact that the seat belt chime would ring 59 times before shutting off. then someone on this board sent me instructions on how to bypass the chimes and it worked perfectly.. but almost immediately after doing that I noticed a light on the dash that I never noticed before. over to the right on the dash, when i first start my engine, there is a light that says "passenger", just below that are two icons that look like seats.. as you're looking at the dash, the icon on the left says "off", the icon on the right says "on". does that mean when I bypassed the seat belt chime that I also turned off my drivers side air bag? and if so, can I turn it back on by repeating the process I used to bypass the seatbelt chime...heck, I'll start wearing the damn seatbelt if I have to, but i sure dont want to travel without that airbag on. any help you can offer will certainly be appreciated... thanks.

Roland

jlsexton

Happened to get a heads up on this email, really none of my business, BUT, I thought I might put you in contact with my nephew,now 36 who has been a quadriplegic since 18, he didn't wear seatbelts either.

runney

dcboater,

My 06 touring had the same issues with the sunroof/moonroof rattle. It wasn't present when I picked up the car, however, within 3000 miles it was rattling constantly. Apparently, there's a middle "board" between the headliner and the roof, toyo part 63311-AC020-B1. The dealer replaced that and it's been quiet ever since. Now onto others issues, I've practically had my entire interior replaced... the headliner part, all 4 door panels (fit problems wherein the bezels around the power switches wouldn't stay down), 3 new spoilers (they just don't stay put) and of course the unresolved rattles everywhere, steering clunk, and the oh so comforting transmission hesitation. Good luck with the moonroof rattle, i'm sure that's the cure. Runney

rpfingsten

jlseston... point taken... point made... a very very good point made. Thanks

Roland

james03

I don't know much about the 07 avalons, but in the 05 the seat belt chimes forever also. The 100% best way to get it to stop is by putting your seatbelt on( that will never fail)but I think the on/off light that you are seeing is the passenger airbag light,it lets you know if the airbbag is on or off and it's located right next to the seatbelt icon for passengers,other than that I can't give you anymore info on that, but like I said the best think do is put on the seatbelt, it will stop the chime, same your life in an accident, and it will sabe you from getting a $100 ticket if the cops see you...best of luck!

jlsexton

AMEN, note my posting. Being a quadraplegic is not for the faint of heart.

avalonkitten

Hi Guys,
You may remember me from 2005. I got the avalon xl and battled with toyota about the transmission and got no where. Well, I have hit one of their TSB problems. I had the car oil changed and hoses checked before I went home for Thanksgiving 2006. I got back from the holiday and was driving home from work and had oil smoke in the car, my computer screen was blinking and I could not get the air conditioning to work.. the light kept blinking. It was raining outside. I took it to the dealer and after 4 hours they told me it was a oil leak TSB issue from 12/2005. Well the dealer has been trying to get the part for over a month now. My car has been sitting at their dealership for over 3 weeks. I was told the car was no longer safe to drive until they fix it. I have a 2007 camry 4 cylinder in the meantime. (BTW it hesitates no end too but does not lunge like the Avalon does.) What I would really want to know is how long people are waiting to get this problem fixed? My frustration level is increasing daily. Ok, part of the problem is that I keep wrenching my knee to get in and out of their camry. That was among the chief reasons I did not buy their camry. I have asked that they supply an Avalon as a replacement since they were unable to fix mine in the near future. They said they would for an additional fee of 40.00 a day rental charge. I am still paying the 450.00 a month for my car, so that was out of the question. It seems a shame I can not charge them for loss of use and pain and suffering.. Ok, I digress. My main point is to find out why they do not have the parts available? Aside from calling their customer experience hotline and sharing with the community do I have any other recourse to get the issue addressed sooner? If they know X number of cars have the defect why aren't the parts made and available to fix the problem. My dealer has told me up to two months. How long has it taken those of you who have had the problem to have them fix it?? Let me know what your wait time has been.. Thanks,
Avalon Kitten

nimimi

I've never had the oil leak problem, however, whenever the dealer has kept my car overnight, he's provided an Avalon loaner for free. Your dealer should as well!

bobwiley

Kitten: Sounds like you should be "roaring" at the dealer--go to the Better Business Bureau---get the Toyota Regional Manager involved and if that fails--get "kitten" lawyer and get their attention!! Toyota is becoming just like the Big 3 of the 70's and 80's---customer care is getting worse and worse--Hyundai is catching up FAST! Good luck--PLAY HARDBALL!!
Bob

mem4

The Oil Leak TSB calls for the installation of 2 bolts with a sealer on the threads, a total of .2 hours labor to fix the oil leak. What parts are they telling you will take 3 weeks to get? Two bolts? Something else must be wrong, the oil leak would not make your AC stop working and make your computer screen flash. Ask them exactly what they are doing and what parts they are waiting for.

captain2

kitten - I may be the one back in the fall of 05 that caused the 12-23 TSB, it has to do with a small amount of oil leaking from the upper timing chain cover on the rear cylinder bank. For a while they thought it was PS fluid, and then later discovered that the tube that allows the oil to 'drain' back into the sump as well as the gasket behind the cover were both poorly designed, the reason for the TSB. I drove the car with the leak for a few months while the dealer 'learned' on my car, and don't think there is anything 'dangerous' about driving it although you will annoyingly 'spot' your driveway. In my case the leak was never serious enough to adversely effect engine oil level which I did keep an eye on. The problem was fixed in a matter of hours once they got the parts and has not been a problem at all for about 30000 miles now - and yes my dealer did provide me with a loaner while he earnestly tried to diagnose and fix something that he had never seen. I can not believe, however, that this problem has not become 'old hat' to the service mgrs. out there and that those parts are not now some sort of 'standard' kit readily available. In any case, I would file a compliant with Toyota and get the regional customer service rep involved - there is no part in my mind that takes 2 months to get, much less something as simple as the parts required to fix this rather simple oil leak.

beachguy

Appreciate the previous postings regarding the TSB for the oil leak. After three tries to fix the oil leak the dealer finally acknowledged the TSB after I called his attention to it. Now I am also waiting for parts ( 3 weeks ) although my leak is small and has little effect on the oil level.

captain2

your situation and problem sounds identical to mine. My fix required 5 tries, and was assummed to be a PS fluid leak (you would think they could tell the difference between PS fluid and oil). My leak started after about 10k on my early 05 Touring and is difficult to locate. Was getting frustrated because I kept telling them that I thought it was oil, a situation I regarded as more serious. The dealer was helpful, apologetic enough and maybe even embarassed but I couldn't help but think that there was no training or familiarity with an engine that was new to them - at the time, even though the 4 liter V6 that appears in some of the trucks/SUVs is somewhat similar. The fix, when it finally appeared, did work, however - I change my own oil and keep an eye on it. You didn't mention how old your Av is, but I can't imagine they they didn't change this design a year ago. Good luck.

dcboater

Runney,

Thanks for the part info - I have passed this along to my dealer and have scheduled a 3 day service visit starting this Friday, 1/12/07. With all HOPES, it should be repaired by Monday, 1/15.

I will report to the board as to progress.

Thanks again,
dcboater

lnt

I've been noticing spots on my garage floor for several weeks, so took my Avalon in today along with a copy of a post from this site about the TSB from 12/05 and sure enough that seemed to be the problem. My service advisor also told me that the part was on backorder and would be about 3 weeks before the part came in. However, he told me that it would not hurt the car to drive it nor was it dangerous to drive the car - just keep the oil checked. Now, after reading your post, I am wondering if I should be driving my car. I sure hope I don't have to wait for TWO months! My car just now has almost 14,000 miles on it(early 2005 model) and I am wondering if I am now about to start experiencing the problems everyone else has had. So far it has been perfect!

leanman

DCBoater

I have a 2004 Camry Solara SLE V6 which has the same moonroof noise symptoms. After about 18K miles it developed a rattle in the moonroof/headliner area, passenger side in the front. This was happening last winter in cold weather. I monitored temperatures and found that it only occurred below about 40 dg. From May to early Fall things were OK. As of today the dealer has taken out the headliner 3 times. Last Winter they thought the problem was a junction of the visor mount. Next they thought the problem was a harness related to an air bag, so they tied it down. Most recently they found that there are cables running along either side of the moonroof that may have been hitting, so they wrappped them. (When the mechanics pushed up on the cables the noise stopped.) After this "fix", they detected no noise even in cold weather. I drove the car today; no problem for 70 miles but then it returned. In my case the problem can go away as suddenly as it appears, seems aggravated by cold weather (although this Fall it even occurred at 58 deg; can occur at very slow speed such as exiting my driveway, and slight upward pressure on the glass stops it. The dealer has been in contact with Toyota. Various fixes were suggested based on experience that noise may travel and in some cases similar noises were thus corrected. I assume this last time the dealer tried everything but to no avail. What is weird is that the problem does not appear right away after a headliner is replaced, but after driving for a day or two (or 70 miles like I did today).

The only good news in the tale of woe is the positive, helpful attitude of the dealer. Try this at GM or Ford!

Would greatly appreciate any feedback from your end and will let you know about my progress.

Leanman

leanman

Alan S,

Would very much appreciate knowing what you did for the moonroof rattle. I have a 2004 Solara that is exhibiting the same moonroof rattle symptoms as has been reported for Avalons.

Thanks in advance,

Leanman

avalonkitten

Guys, First off. I have a 05 XL was was manufactured 3/26/05. I know my TSB was from Dec 2005 but it has nothing to do with the back of the car. There is a tube that comes out of the engine. I had a leak from the front of my car which I now know was oil. I thought it was the radiator and had them check it in November when I took the car in for it's oil change. The TSB stated that the tube comes out of the engine and has been found to leak. They know it affects cars up until a specific vin number when they began using a different part. So I am thinking put the new part on and away we go. It has not been nearly that easy. I think the defroster/air conditioning and the oil smoke in the car is what is making it undriveable. In my case it had gotten worse and according to my service advisor had leaked onto several of the drive belts that control my air conditioning and defrost system. The belts were slipping. He is telling me that they have to replace the metal tube and hoses and and all of the belts that oil has leaked onto. I want them to replace the cabin filter as well now that it has been fouled with oil smoke or at least to cover the labor if they say the filter is an consumable item. The national center called to say that the part (the new tube) is coming from Japan and is back ordered. I spoke to my service person today and he said the part is still listed as back ordered. As of Monday it will be 6 weeks and still no end in site. :sick: With this TSB they are only fixing the car if the oil is leaking. When they give me the car back I will post the VIN number which marks the change in parts used. See I learned something new.. There is yet another problem to watch for.. Thanks for the posts so far..
Avalon Kitten

ange

Business Week,1-22-07, page 54, confirms some of our complaints aren't just made up. Toyota has recalled 9.3 million cars since 2004. This is 2.5 million more than in previous 3 years. These are for cars made in Japan and US.

The article states the problems got so bad the Toyota president and the Toyota vice president have apologized for the recent faults in their vehicles, while at the same time saying " toyota is right on track in ensuring good quality".

All this talk stuff is okey as long as they put their responsibilities where their mouth is.

I have had issues with ford and gm cars in the past and they did respond. Toyota corporate support was "to contact the dealer". They did not want to get involved and they did not have enough interest in my problem to follow up.

Ange

havalongavalon

OK, this winter it's really snowing in Vancouver. With my 2005 XLS Michelins at over 36K km, I'm ready to get winter tires.

Last winter denali1 recommended Bridgestone Blizzaks as superior for snow and ice, if pricey. CR Nov 2006 rated these highly, in 4th place after Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip, Nitto and Continental models.

Are all these winter tires available for the 05-07 Avalon? What other experience can owners share?

oilcan2

Does anyone know about reprogramming A "SMARTKEY"? We've been to two Toyota dealers with no luck.

9119911

What function do you wish to program? Check the owners' manual, it's fairly easy to follow.

Cj

jlsexton

I doubt if the dealer WILL re-program it. I tried through Toyota Cares (A Joke) and the service dept. and the owner, none would touch it. If you want a feature removed or altered I believe only prayer will help not Toyota.

duncs5

I have the same config except i don't get all the channels

retired7

Has anyone purchased and used tire chains or cable chains on front tires of Avy? Please provide comments on your experiences if you have..

Thanks,

NWBLIZZARD

retired7

Since I had TSB# EG039 for changing out my front exhaust pipe assembly (rotten egg smell), Avy now sounds like a diesel! Am taking it back to dealer soon and see if anyone has had the same experience and can comment..

4439

i had the sensors replaced also but did not have a change in engine noise.

alan_s

If you do a search in the Avalon forums, you will see my post that described several of my moonroof fixes. I don't know which forum it is in anymore, now that everything has been rearranged. If you can't find it, let me now.

pat

A search of "alan_s moonroof" turns up a bunch of posts right here.

happycolonel

my 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited has from day one been very noisy in the front due to wind noise. The dealer has changed both front door handles, removed and replaced $1500.00 worth of seals around the front doors and windows with no improvement. The local Toyota rep has a 2006 Avalon that has the same problems and he said he just turns the radio up to mask the noise, Huh? Has anyone had this prolem???

jlsexton

So sorry you are having this trouble. It seems to me the doors & windows might not be your problem, it could be coming from the engine compartment. Could you get someone to ride with you, preferably small in stature. They could listen while you drive. I would think a dealer would have some instrument to check this out while standing still using a source of compressed air & merely listen first prior to changing ANYTHING.

fin

To anyone who reads these boards and wonders about the Avalon, I just purchased my third one, a 2007 Phantom Gray Limited w/NAV. The first two were great and the expectation is that this one will be the same. Overall, each of the previous Avys went 90k trouble free miles and delivered excellent gas mileage. The '07 should do at least as well based on most comments posted in this forum.

While there is no doubt that some Avys have some problems, as do all makes, my hope is this one continues the reliability of my previous two. We tested several good cars, such as the M35, Maxima, Impala and even the LS 460. All things considered, the Avalon won. The trunk is little tight for our travel, but nothing is perfect.

As others regulars here post their experiences, good or bad, be assured mine will also follow. If it rattles, hesitates, squeaks, or ticks like a fine watch, the world will read it here. This forum is one of the best in all of Edmunds.com. And a special "thanks" to the post about using WD40 to remove the dealer logo from the deck lid. Came right off. I did not buy a rolling billboard.

So.... the journey begins, with Avalon #3.... Fin

manav82

I am interested in fixes to the following problems. I have na 07 Touring. Thanks for your help.

1. Driver's door trim.
2. Dash area below steering column.
3. Console.
5. Rear parcelshelf.
14. Heat shield vibration/rattle above rear mufflers.

alan_s

I believe I covered fixes to #2 and #5 in previous posts.
The heat shield rattles are quite easy to fix. Reach under the car, above the rear mufflers (when cool!) and slightly bend both sides of the heat shields inwards or outwards which changes the torsional rigidity of the shields, and eliminates the rattles. The shield above the catalytic converter is more difficult because you need to get the car on a hoist to reach it.
I'm truly amazed that the Avalon is now entering its 3rd model year and Toyota STILL have not fixed these elementary annoyances that date back to my dumped '05.
Toyota, for a very reasonable consulting fee, I'd be happy to provide you with some very simple recommendations and remedies to improve your assembly and quality control. Oops, nobody listening, perhaps they are too busy trying to work all the new Camry's problems or figuring out how to really screw up the next Corolla...
Sorry folks, couldn't resist.
As you were.

adamh

Anybody have info or a web address for help in allowing DVD video thru the nav. screen, ipod connection, and XM connection. I bought XM but have yet to install as it seems XM and ipod use the same connection on the head unit. I want to put in headrest DVD players and have an additional screen in the nav. unit.

I have an 2007 Limited Avalon with Ground effects and absolutely love it.

Adam

bobwiley

Hi gang! I have an 06 Limited and the Remote Start is "junk!!" You have to be practically on top of the car in order for it to work. New batteries--no change. Have it at the dealers for alignment/oil change and getting the 3M Protective Shield put on the front end. So I asked them to see what's wrong. I was told--nothing they could do! Wrong anmswer I said--I paid $450 for the unit and I expect it to work from farther out than 50 feet. I tried it in a WalMart parking lot--clear view and about 100 feet away--nothing. Once I got within about 50 feet OK. Damn, I may as well wait and start it when I get in if its range is only 50 feet. I thought the purpose was so you could aim it out of a restaurant in the summer or winter and warm it or cool it down before you entered. We'll see what was done when I pick it up on Friday. Appreciate any suggestions--thanks!
Bob

jlsexton

Thank you Bob for verifying my complaint. I also tried, contacted Toyota Corporate, nothing, dealer, same thing. I told the dealer to remember, HE sells cars, not accessories and that this was my third from him and maybe my last as a $450 useless start system was not a joke. I believe they have gotten so arrogant they really don't care, pride before the fall as in Ford. They said the same thing, that nothing was wrong. Please, how do you get your fingers on those TINY buttons. They are meant for small children, not adults. I live in Orange County New York, the only reason I have not sued is that I am garaging this car after selling my sports car so that the remote start is not as important as before as the car is warm, by the time I get it started when outside I am already up to it and if I do it shuts off as soon as I touch the door. I believe that is the only route SUE, as you, I was never forwarned as to the problems in this unit, the guys in the service dept, who I know, say people have been complaining since the 05's but no one in sales tells anyone. If they had forwarned you the onus would be on you, so I believe we have a case as in small claims. ANY lawyers out there ??????

bobwiley

jlsexton: You're right--TOTAL ARROGANCE---if it ain't you or me--it will be some other "sucker" buying a worthless option. I've said it before--watch out Toyota--Hyundai is coming on fast. Too bad we can't get a Class Action Suit from enough Forum members. Not sure if you've seen it or not, but, there is one against Toyota for "sludging" in their engines----and Toyota KNEW about the problem. Power of the people--but--only if we unite. Same issue with the "quirky" automatic.
Bob

hgallie

Re wind noise. I have a 2006 Avalon. Wind noise is horrible. I traded a 2003 Camry on this Avalon, first thing I noticed after the new car fever wore off was the wind noise, also tire noise. The Camry was very quiet, took small bumps better and shifted better. I posted my complaints on this forum, every one that responded told me how quiet and wonderfull their Avalon was. Well I don't believe it. The overall design of this car is the cause and I do not believe it can be fixed. The Avalon is beautifull and powerfull but I will be glad when I no longer have it.

nimimi

My '06 Limited is the quietest car in which I've ever ridden. Even with the roof open it's quiet.

9119911

Bob, I'm all for a class action suit on the Avalons' with transmission hesitation problems'. After contacting the dept. of public safety, Toyota, in adition to the local dealer, I have gotten nothimg but an arrogant run around. If you're really interested and wish to start the action let me know I figure we can get plenty people from this forum to sign.

I now have an attorney working on mine but so far they're giving him the run around.

Toyota know they have a problem and refuses to do anything about it. I see them slowly drifting the with wayward wind and joining Ford and GM.

Chuck

bobwiley

Chuck: Let me tell everyone I got an answer back this AM regarding the email I sent about the "crappy" Remote Start System. THey told me it works between 75'-150'--depending on radio towers, high intensity electrical wires etc. Mmmmm--never heard that when I bought it!! I sent back an email saying in a WalMart parking lot--no overhead wires, no radio towers, no TV towers and no "aliens" in sight, it only worked when I got to 50'. Of course, I can't get my money back. Regarding the auto transmission--they told me to go to the dealer. I told them the dealers can't fix what is a "corporate" problem. the tranny is "crap" and sopmething needs to be done. I posted a few month's back that i'd sent a complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA)about the "unsafe" Avalon trnany. Never heard anything. I hate to get started on the tranny issue as I get very frustrated that in order to "ensure" a safe get away from a yield sign I must use the "manual mode" to ensure the tranny doesn't hesitate and the motor rev to over 3,000 RPM before the tranny catches and jerks you forward. I've just resigned myself to using the maual mode whenever I come to a yield or stop sign. I would hope there are enough equally frustrated Forum readers who'd be VERY HAPPY to get some resolution on the quiry tranny. I'm amazed we haven't heard about a serious accident due to the transmission hesitation. Count me in!!
Bob

bobwiley

hgalliie: Despite a crappy remote Start System, quirky transmission and substandard Nav System, our 06 Limited is "church" quiet. Old trick I learned to "soften" window weather stripping---put on a "film" of Vaseline and make sure you get the "window groove" real good. This is the first car I haven't had to have the radio blasting to hear it. I drove G35, Acura TL, Lexus ES330 and the Buick Lucerne. Next to the Avalon, the Buick was the quietest. Good luck!
Bob

rpfingsten

I agree bob... so far with my 06 Avalon, I havent experienced excessive outside noise. In fact, one of the things I remember my wife commenting on was how quiet the avy was when we first test drove it. I do think the Lucerne was "alittle" more quiet.. but not by much. On the other hand, I have noticed "road or tire" noise. It's not bad, dosnt bother me, but I have noticed it... always thought it was because of the tires that are on the car...figured that would get better 3 or so years down the road when i put a new set on.

Roland