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2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

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Comments

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Glad no one got hurt. The six speed is a beauty! You may have seen one of my earlier posts where I took one out for a test drive on the expressway and I was up to 90mph in no time. The shifts are so smooth they seem unperceived. The only way I could tell the shift points was looking at the tachometer. I had a grin from ear to ear but quickly decelerated as the fines for speeding here in Virginny are pretty outrageous! :)
    Mack
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Toyota does have some strange rules on accessories and where one can purchase them. I can get a 20 oz can of matching spray paint locally but it is not the mix for flexible parts such as mud guards and bumpers. Any help out there.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Virginia huh, we are almost somewhat neighbors. I own acreage in Mars Hill NC. Was planning to retire there.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Joe, you need to surf the threads a little more. When you run your cursor over my user name, it tells you my name, e-mail and where I'm at. You can also see all my information on link title

    I have a blog also which I'm working on and my carspace has lots of pics of my trip to the 2003 Frankfurt international auto show *(nothing compares to this auto show)! Pics of the new upcoming Toyota Corolla 2--9, The Matrix, and a sneak peak at the 2--9 Toyota RAV4. Even the guys at the distributorship don't know what the RAV is going to look like. I had pics of the 09 Corolla way before they saw it.

    image

    PS. Next time you're down this way stop by my dealership and say hi! I just my take you to my cousin Angel's Mexican Restaurant/\
    image
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Don't take this wrong but this is a kind of break from reality, I really do not want to know peoples personal stuff, as Pat often states, it's about cars. thanks for the offer, won't be to next year.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I understand. No problem.
    :)
    Mack
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Here's the link: avytouring, "2007 Toyota Avalon" #248, 10 Dec 2007 12:45 pm
  • angeange Member Posts: 158
    Haven't read any reports for several months and noted your comment re "transmisson problems as software related" I'll have to disagree, as my TSB on my 05 required replacing the exhaust manifolds and some other reshifting settings. This certainly didn't take 30 minutes as someone reported.

    I still have two minor complaints re shifting You cannot start out from a stop without a slight jerk into 1st gear in stop and go traffic. If you floor the petal it shifts so fast you can't notice anything. I do have a heavy foot and like to 'chirp' the front tires to just to know it can be done if needed. The second complaint that I did not notice before the fix is as slow down to stop, as the transmisson shifts down to 1st, the car nudges forward as though a slight surge of gas is applied.

    The TSB did improve the shifting but the 1st gear shifting is not as smooth as the other gears. I think the transmisson issue is partly is in the drivers head. Sometimes you look for the problem and you end up noticing it. Other times you are preoccupied with other things and the car runs fine.

    The Avalon does have quality features but the 05 small items issues are due to sloppy quality control. I think about 45,000 Avalons were sold in 04 and 95,000 sold in 05. Toyota laughed all the way to the bank when the same assembly line did double production and the customer got zapped on the fine qualities found in older Avalons. One selling point on the 05 Avalon for me was driving and inspecting my friend's 04 Avalon. This car was perfect.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Not an ACE on these newer cars so perhaps you or someone could explain what the heck the exhaust manifolds have to due with a tranny problem. It seems to me you had more than that.
  • johndjrjohndjr Member Posts: 80
    If you read the Tech issue on this transmission fix (it is available on this message board) you will see that the fix is some sensors on the manifolds (requiring the exh man. to be removed) as well as other stuff. It is not just a soft ware fix. It does take some time. In my case, they told me to plan on leaving the car all day. But when they realized I would be sitting there waiting on it, they got it out early. I took it in at 0830, they finished at 1330.
    Yes, they were working on it the entire time.
    Have fun.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Give me the old simple engines & tranny's, I don't need the tranny to learn my way of driving, pretty soon it will be telling us how to drive. Maybe it's time to go back to stick shifts..............
  • jim2006jim2006 Member Posts: 6
    I have read about noise in front end near wheel or steering area in this forum and it was very helpful. I have a 2006 xl. My noise started occasionally and became constant. When you would turn the wheel left and go it would make a clunk sound
    when you step on break immediately after starting, clunk again. It almost sounded like a ball joint starting to go. It would happen sometimes going straight or right, but towards the end it always happended going left. Also there was a softer clunk when backing up and turning the steering wheel left about one full revolution. The dealer did TSB ST002-06, STEERING COLUMN NOISE, Models 05-06. The noise is gone, I'm very happy. I have read it can come back, I will keep you updated. This was paid for under warranty. I have only been driving it for two days since fix. Hope this helps others, the way I was helped by this forum. Also the service dept. said this TSB was the fix for problems that sounded different, but were in the steering, such as a hum or ticking sound coming from that general area.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    to a more appropriate discussion. here's the link: tedtnj, "2007 Toyota Avalon" #259, 16 Dec 2007 12:25 pm
  • dandldandl Member Posts: 57
    Hi Jim2006
    What you have described is exactly the problem we are having with our steering column now. We had the steering column replaced due to the ticking and clinking sounds coming from it, as per the TSB. However, NOW we have this different problem as you describe : "When you would turn the wheel left and go it would make a clunk sound
    when you step on break immediately after starting, clunk again. It almost sounded like a ball joint starting to go. It would happen sometimes going straight or right, but towards the end it always happened going left. Also there was a softer clunk when backing up and turning the steering wheel left about one full revolution"
    Along with the audible clunks that can be heard by both the passenger and the driver, the steering column shifts too. I have taken the car in once and they said this in normal. I am taking the car in today to have them address it again, which really seemed to irritate the service manager.... Really fun trying to ask him to check out the other things that are going wrong. Creaky dashboard, enter button on Navi not responding after multiple tries (not like the fat fingering problem that is "just as designed") , stale nasty musty odor from vents, etc.... :sick: Hope you have better luck than me. I will let you know what happens. I really am a wimp when it comes to confrontation at the dealership....thinking of bringing my hot blooded Sicilian neighbor with me to have him get the point across :)
    Best regards,
    Laura
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Laura, take heart, whenever my daughter had a problem I went with her, I am a small guy 5/4 but it has more to do with ATTITUDE than size or sex. You paid a lot of money for your vehicle, let them know if you do not get help you will first contact the regional rep, if that doesn't help small claims court will most certainly. Have the vehicle evaluated independently preferably by someone who works specifically on foreign vehicles, it may cost you $25 or $30 but it is ammunition. When I go to my local car store sevice dept. they treat me great, they know I want it fixed and will do whatever is necessary. Past problems have made my future dealings better better. Why car stores denigrate women is beyond me, perhaps it is the wimpish attitude. My daughter has learned to use her G-D given spunk and she does pretty well now all by herself..... AND do not be afraid to SUE, it is something I do not like to do but have and will. Also be respectful but firm, cussing them out does not help the situation. GOOD LUCK, Merry Christ-Mas.
  • dandldandl Member Posts: 57
    Thanks for the encouragment jlsexton. I remember your post from a few months ago to me regarding the same situation. See? I am such a non-confrontational person, that after they denied the problem then, it has taken me this long to get up the resolve to tackle them again. I am such a wimp. WAYYYY too nice and would NEVER raise my voice let alone....errr..curse !!!! :blush:
    As more things come up, the service guys acts like I am just a picky nuisance. I do believe he actually rolled his eyes when I mentioned that the enter button was now malfunctioning on the Navi....
    Past experiences at all my local dealers include:
    Techs dripping paint down my bumper after fixing misaligned trunk....claimed the big paint glob was "under the clearcoat" I sweetly replied, sorry guys, I detail my car extensively and know that was not there.
    Got the car back another time, drove out of the bay, looked in the rear area to see greasy handprints COVERING the entire rear panel and headliner by the rear window, as well as on the seat and floor mats. Once again, no anger just a pensive "gee guys this isn't good"....
    Then there was my first oil change = oil left all over the engine, two blue dings in bumper from car lift..... had to return the car the next day because the o ring was not seated properly and had a nice oil leak in my garage.
    Then the time they finally did the steering TSB : Gave me the car back with the steering wheel on totally crooked, not too long of a wait for that fix though...
    Oh, and the time when they agreed to do the catalytic converter TSB (after three times back to dealer) I got the car home and checked underneath it and the whole front u shaped bracket that holds the exhaust was hanging lose by one nut (fixed that myself) and others.....
    As you can see, I am not too fond of taking my car in. Oh well, sorry this is sooo long and thanks to all for letting me vent (or just delete this Pat if it is deemed too tedious ;) )

    Oh wow, I feel better now, I'm the queen of the world !!!!! :shades:
    Best regards,
    Laura.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    No one takes advantage of you if you won't let them. First I would talk to the owners, I had a problem with my Starion, told the service manager I wanted to talk to the owner, he thought I was kidding until my lawyer called. We all sat down had a nice civil meeting and resolved the bill. The diagnostics were correct but the service dept ignored the oxygen sensor and proceeded to replace the mass air sensor and a host of other parts to the tune of $1200, ignoring the $100 sensor replacement. This was back in 1985 when $1200 was a lot of money to me. YOU have to step up, be nice but firm OR simply put up with a defective expensive vehicle.
  • havalongavalonhavalongavalon Member Posts: 460
    Hi Laura,

    My 05 XLS had the steering column ticking noise. It was fixed as per the TSB. Later, it started to make a clunking noise during light or moderate acceleration and braking. There was no TSB on this (yet). My dealer took the time to study it, isolated the problem to rack misalignment and seems to have fixed it.

    Your dealer has provided you substandard service. I would take the car to another dealer. Your car is under warranty. Service departments get reimbursed for warranty repairs. They should welcome your business; you should not be made to feel awkward for asking them to fix your car.

    For the 05 Avalon there is growing documented history of specific malfunctions. You may want to print and show the dealer postings reporting a steering clunking noise. If this is their first case, they should investigate it and find the way to fix it.

    Hope this helps and your car noise problem is fixed.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Thank you, personally I would write a letter to the editor of the local rag and highlight his sub-standard performance, in lieu of what I'd really like to do. They do take advantage of women, which is a shame, perhaps she should take along her neighbor and maybe put the fear of G-D in him as in his own demise. Sorry but these he-men just tick me off.
  • jhammer2jhammer2 Member Posts: 1
    When we took our car in for this problem we were 76 miles over the warranty period and were told the TSB only aplied during warranty and we would have to pay $1000 to repair. Has anyone had this problem and if so, what do you suggest?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I would check with another Toyota dealership and if I got the same answer I'd go to Toyota corporate in a split second. If I still didn't get anywhere, I'd go to my local news :mad:

    Mackabee, are you around to weigh in on this?
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,938
    Did you complain about the problem before the warranty period was up? If you did you will most certainly have a case. Even if you didn't, do what Pat suggested and go "up the ladder" they should most certainly "good will" the repair.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • lntlnt Member Posts: 192
    I have been reading some of the posts on the steering column problem and am wondering how many miles your cars had on them when you heard the clicking/clunking sounds? Mine is an 05 but only has 21,500 miles on it. Warranty will be out in March. I do have an extended warranty - will it pay if the problem appears after my manufacturer's warranty is out? Maybe it isn't such a good idea to not put many miles on a car after all. I haven't heard anything, yet. Transmission hasn't been a problem, either.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    First talk to the service manager, not the service advisor. Be diplomatic and ask that the repair be done under warranty. If this fails call Toyota's customer service center at 1-800-331-4331 in Torrance Ca. This is headquarters for TMS USA. Tell the rep what the problem is and what the dealership didn't do for you. Have them open a case and ask for the case number for your records. You should get a call from the dealership's customer relations manager in a day or two. This will wake them up and have them do a good will repair on your Avalon.
    Mackabee
  • havalongavalonhavalongavalon Member Posts: 460
    Int, my 05 XLS problems came up at these mileages:

    15000--clicking noise, replaced steering column (TSB).
    25000--clicking noise reappered, column replaced again.
    32000--clunking noise started, fixed steering rack.

    I don't put a lot of miles per year either, but I bought the extended warranty since just one repair of this type could cost as much as the warranty did. And I fully expect that these types of repairs will continue to be covered for 7 years.
  • dandldandl Member Posts: 57
    Hi Havalongavalon, Sounds like you had the exact same problems. Good to hear you are getting great service.
    The problems I have mentioned regarding service span all 4 local dealerships !!! My car is currently at the only "Signature Certified" dealership in the area :confuse: I ran into the regional rep at the auto show last year and he stated that this one has the highest certified mechanics too.... But as I have stated, they are MOST unwelcoming, they deny, deny, deny, and have returned the car a mess.
    One thing about this particular dealership, when I go in there and state the problem: ie. sulfer smell, steering column ticking..... and mention there is a TSB out. He replies "TSB's are NOT recalls (which I perfectly understand) That does not mean your car has that problem...."
    It's crazy, I am trying to help them isolate the problems but if I mention TSB his shackles go up everytime :surprise:
    Oh well. I dropped my car off yesterday and told them to keep it overnight and test drive it while it was cold....still waiting for the phone call. Thanks again to everyone for their advice.
    Laura
  • dandldandl Member Posts: 57
    Hi lnt
    My steering column problems started around 9000 or so miles. I currently have 19,000 on my June 8, 2005 Avy ( I baby it too ) . Hopefully the extended warranty will cover you if the issue comes up later.
    Best regards,
    Laura
  • oldnalloldnall Member Posts: 13
    Hello again,
    Has there been any of these problems with the 2006 model?
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    I hate to rub salt in a wound BUT I never purchase the first year run of a new design. Wait one year or so and MOST of the flaws have been found and usually corrected. Laura, you need to go to a Paxton Quigley seminar author of Armed & Female.........What state are these wonderful car stores in ?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Thanks mack. Hope jhammer2 comes back to see your recommendations.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    It's not clear what you mean by "these problems" - the original poster was talking about an 06 XL. Here's where this thread started: jim2006, "Toyota Avalon 2005-2006" #14182, 16 Dec 2007 12:43 pm.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Laura don't put up with substandard service. If this dealer won't fix you car see my post to jhammer2 regarding what course of action to take. In a nutshell tell the service manager you are not satisfied with the quality of work or lack thereof and you want your car fixed right otherwise you will have no choice but to contact TMS USA in Torrance Ca and open up a case so that this is tracked by TMS. You'll see how fast they jump and ask you how high you want them to jump.
    One thing I'll say about my dealership is we bend over backwards to take care of customers whether it be in the sales department or the service department and it doesn't matter where they bought their Toyota.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • jim2006jim2006 Member Posts: 6
    Hi,
    You asked about mileage. The noise started at about 25000, keeps getting more frequent, fixed at 28000. I don't know what % of Avalons experience this. However they said this was an update to a manufacturing process during that time period. That would make me think the # is high. I would think if you have an extended bumper to bumper warranty it would be covered, but that's just a thought. Good luck.
  • jim2006jim2006 Member Posts: 6
    My service dept. manager said he would still cover things that were just out of warranty, for a reasonable time. He said such as 1k or 2k on the power train warranty, only because it came up in conversation. As for the charge for the TSB to Toyota, it was $654.
  • dandldandl Member Posts: 57
    Hi Mackabee, Oh I wish you were closer ! Would love to have your dealership service my car ! Thank you for your informative posts too. I will follow this route (contacting TMS USA ) if I cannot get the steering issue resolved. The service manager called me last night ( and he was very pleasant, I need to add ) They put some insulation in the dash to correct the rattle, acknowledged that the navi "enter" function is not working properly and have put a call in to Toyota headquarters regarding this.... But they found " nothing abnormal" with the steering column :cry: He asked me more questions regarding the clunking and shifting in the wheel and said that their master mechanic will check it out again today. I'll let you know how things work out....
    Thanks again to all
    Laura
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Mack, no offense but these are the same people who I called about the RS last year who transferred me to a suppossedly tech dept. After stating my frustration with the tiny buttons on the FOB and the vehicle shutting off I was told that was the norm, it was to protect me from a carjacking. So let me get this straight the CARJACKER couldn't just grab the FOB from me and use it to start the vehicle. They also stated they could fix it but wouldn't, I asked why, they stated LIABILITY. So actually this stupid procedure is not for my protection but THEIRS as in Toyota. But thanks for giving her the info.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Seems to me that whether Toyota is going to cover the cost of a published TSB on a vehicle just a few miles out of warranty is an entirely different situation than your well-documented saga of the remote-start operational disagreement you have had with the manufacturer.

    No need to discourage the orginal poster from pursuing this option, IMHO.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    What year is your Avalon? I remember some of the early production 2005's had the steering column problem. Something about a weld at the factory that might break causing loss of steering. We had the same thing with the 2005 Prius and apparently the European Toyota Avensis shared the same part as we have a Naval Officer from Spain that came to our dealership with his car as he had gotten a notice from his dealership in Spain. Since I'm the resident Spanish speaking rep at my store the service guys and gals always call me to help. To make a long story short, it took a few faxes and e-mails to Toyota Spain and Toyota USA but we got his car fixed.

    The other thing I was going to suggest is you may have a ball bearing or bad CV joint axle. It it makes the noise only when you start up and turn, say like backing out of your driveway and you hear a clicking noise coming from the front then that may be the case.
    My wife's 97 Camry started doing that and we found out it was the CV joint axle. Both were replaced and the noise is gone.
    Your car is fairly new but sometimes we do get a defective part here and there that does not show any symptoms until later. Let us know how it goes.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • lntlnt Member Posts: 192
    Thanks, Jim2006, Guess I'd better turn off my radio and start listening for clicking noise - I'm at 21,500 miles.
  • dandldandl Member Posts: 57
    Hi Mackabee,
    My Avalon build date was June 8, 2005. There was a recall for a bad steering column weld on a few hundered cars that were produced earlier in the year. I have had the steering column replaced as per the later TSB (I had the ticking and clicking noises happening in the steering column )
    The current steering column problems are completely different. Yes, as you suggest, it feels like it may be a bad CV joint (that joins the steering column to the drive shaft? (a coupler or something to that effect? ) One other question for you Mackabee, how often does your dealership update a customer on work being done? Also, if you know the car is not going to be ready that day, at what point to you let them know?
    Thanks so much Mack
    Laura
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Better to be Armed and not need it than to need it and not be Armed. I was merely pointing out their lack of customer care. Toyota appears to be headed down the SAME path as our American car companies as in putting maximum profits over consumers. Sorry if I elaborate on this point, I expected more and got less.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    You have a fundamental disagreement with the manufacturer on how a "feature" works. That is completely irrelevant to someone asking and reasonably expecting that same manufacturer to make a good will repair to a car that is only a hair out of warranty.

    I don't think we should discourage the original poster from pursuing the claim because of the fact that the manufacturer and you do not see eye to eye on how an option should perform.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    MERRY CHRISTMAS PAT...........................
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    SAME TO YOU!! :P

    Have some cookies and eggnog - they're on the table over there in the corner.

    :shades:
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,938
    A lot of people feel that Toyota's service stinks and they don't care. I really think it has more to do with the individual dealer than anything else. Case in point: recently I noticed that at the end of a moderate to hard stop I would hear what I thought to be a "clunk" in the rear of my '06 Av. I almost sure as hell thought there was something wrong in the suspension. I made an appointment to have it looked at. After the dealer looked it over they informed me there was nothing wrong and the dreaded comment "everything is working as designed". I thought, here we go. Anyway I demanded that a service writer and tech ride with me to hear the noise. They did and when they acknoledged the noise the tech said it was just the rear calipers. I really didn't buy into this so they gave me another Avalon to try and it was there but only slightly. They marked in the computer that on my next oil change to completely clean the rear brakes to help lessen the noise. IMO that was pretty good service. They could have easily blew me off and been done with it.

    FWIW I noticed the same exact noise on my Mother's Highlander the other night, so I guess they weren't BSing.

    I guess my point is if one dealer doesn't treat you right move on to another. You may find it is worth a few minutes longer drive to find a more competent dealer.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    That's correct. Some dealers have excellent service departments but terrible sales department and vice a versa. Others have both excellent sales and service departments. It takes a while to find one that has both.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    I have never had a real big problem with my Toyota's, a bad design on the early Camry's let critters into your heater unless you remembered to close the fresh air vent, also they had front suspension problems at about 80,000 or so, weak struts. All in all not bad. My Avalon will be 4 years old when I sell it and buy new, maybe with 25,000 on it, so it should be problem free but a 5 year 60,000 mile warranty would be nice for those who accumulate mileage. To all, Merry Christ-Mas, Happy Holidays, count your many blessings, pray for those who protect us both here and abroad.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Toyota does have a 5 year or 60k mile power train warranty. I still say you should lease your cars with as few miles as you drive.
    :)
    Mack
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    You might be right, I just prefer to own and most financial people will tell you not to lease unless you can right it off. I assume the residual value after 4 years has to be around $20,000. If so I will use that to purchase a new one and go from there to a better model, say Lexus or Acura RL. At my age I no longer look at vehicles as a long term thing, merely something to enjoy. Even though I do pay for it through investment income I don't feel the payment as it is EFT'D right to my credit union.
  • daves60daves60 Member Posts: 1
    My 2005 Avalon has a plastic cover under the front of the engine that is bowed down such that it drags on the ground when I hit any bump at all. Is this cover something that can just be removed or should I have a new one put on the car? I don't know if it serves any real purpose.
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