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Toyota Avalon Quality Control Issues
Let's talk about the things you see as quality control issues - rattles, transmission hesitation, whatever - here!
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http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ef2150b
MelBC
Also, I know GM trade-in values are usually fairly low compared wth Toyota. I have never owned anything except GM until now and the Avy is probably the nicest car I have ever owned. Fast, smooth, and respectable MPG. IMO the build quality is superior to any GM. The local Toyota dealer treats us like we are his only customer. Never had that experience at the GM dealers.
Bob
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
This car is a fine car, but it is flawed. Quite frankly, I had less problems with my '99 Chrysler 300M and that's what bothers me. I was expecting better body integrity.
Your really big help was on the back seat belts. I'm going to have a friend drive around while I'm in the back to see if what you suggested is happening (the metal belt banging against the button on the webbing). If not, I'd gladly take suggestions from others. The noises make me CRAZY. Maybe I'm cheap, but man I think I paid a lot of money for a car that has all of these little annoyances.
1) Sluggish throttle and hesitation in acceleration and shifting. I thought this was a problem, but the mechanics at Toyota told me that this was "normal" and refused to write it up. When I accelerate, the car would hesitate for about a second and then it would accelerate. This was dependent on the speed and it is very annoying. Very bad mistake
2) The lid that covers the radio was sticking and it would take me 30-40 pushes to open the lid. Of course, this problem was highly intermittent and when I brought it into Toyota, the mechanics could not duplicate the problem. And of course, when I picked it up, the same problem would re occur. I try to leave it open all the time so I can have access to the CD. Since I picked the car up in April of 2005, the lid currently sticks a little, but not as much as it did over the summer. I question the purpose of the very existence of this lid. What is the purpose? Very bad mistake
3)The lid that covers the storage bin between the front seats is problematic. If ever I place objects on the lid and forget to remove it before I open the lid, the object would get stuck when the lid opened and it would be almost impossible to remove that object stuck behind the lid. Why does this lid even exist? Very bad mistake
4) This problem also exist for the lid that covers the cup holders...object can and will get stuck behind the lid. Why does this lid exist? Very bad mistake
5) The knobs that adjust the seat heaters stick out from the center console, even when it is depressed. I had object catch on these knobs and one day, those knobs will break off needlessly. This control could have been placed elsewhere. Very bad mistake
6) The controls for the radio and climate controls on the steering wheel is poorly placed. In previous models of the Avalon, I like the way I can hold the steering wheel and still have instant access to the horn. With the 2005 redesign, I have to remove my hand from the steering wheel to depress the horn, thus wasting a valuable second to sound my horn to avert a possible collision and also, not being able to hold the steering wheel with both hands. Very bad mistake
7) The opening to the trunk is significantly smaller. What good is a bid trunk if I cannot put big things in it? Very bad mistake
8) When all the windows are fully opened, there is a very loud and annoying oscillation noise created by the buffeting wind coming into the windows. Very bad mistake
9) The center console protrudes needlessly into the back seat area thus negating the legroom for the rear center passenger. Very bad mistake
10) What happened to the memory seats that was standard in the 2001-2004 Avalon XLS? I assumed that the 2005 would have the memory seats and I was VERY DISAPPOINTED to see it was NOT available in that model line. I thought the XLS was top of the Avalon line. Very bad mistake
11) The built-in AC Inverter, a very useful accessory, is also missing. I used that very often in my 2001 XLS. Again, very bad mistake
I feel very saddened and abandoned by Toyota. I think the people that made these design decisions and insisted that they be incorporated into the 2005 Avalon, should be fired. If they only put a little more thought into the consequences of the new design, any moron would realize the negative impact on the ergonomic efficiency of the car. Thanks for hearing me out.
This tome is not worth the time to read!
I know people who run the air on,winter and summer.
Everyone has their own points of view about the new avalon.
I,too, have complained. My limited emblem is on crocked,a touch paint about 1 inch long is on the left rear quarter panel, the dasboard has a 1/4 inch gap at the plastic wood end, the radio door won't open most of the time, even after it was replaced, after working on the dash the door on the navigation unit, has metal to metal contact when opened,the fit of the door and panels are not aligned well,the air bag unit was totally misaligned,this was corrected.
If you check the fit of the doors, trunk,and hood, you can feel sometimes they are not even,one side the hood is above the fender, the otherside the fender is above the hood. The bottom edge of the doors are not aligned, the front door end is 1/4 inch out from the rear door.
Someone from toyota called these problems "irritations"
My transmission shifts poorly in stop and go traffic and sometimes gets under your skin. I have the 100,000 mile insurance policy and toyota wil do all of the servicing so time will tell if this a problem later on.and hopefully, I won't have to pay for it.,
My toyota dealer leaves alot to be desired.Grease spots and return visits do to mistakes issues over again and really not fixing the origional problem.
I am disappointed with toyota with there fast production lines. They probably think they are making enough money to not fix the small things normally done during typical assembly time and will be way ahead in profit by fixing only ones brought back after delivered. Some owners, if they are like my wife,just drive and add gas and really do not care about items we comment and complain about.They don't check the air in the tires, of even oil level.There are some of us who do care about the quality aspect of a car and others who do not.
I have been in several assembly plants many times and have watched the cars pulled out to be reworked in a holding area. At one time they were making a car every 4 minutes and would not slow down unless there was a big issue. ange1
If you haven't already done so, do a search for "rattles" and you'll get some other ideas. Good luck! dan
Have read all the 12k plus post the last few weeks as I am
considering a avalon limited.
Most of the 10 problems would have been noticed if you checked the car out thoroughly.
Try running a full tank of gas with all windows down and
then one with the air on,the windows down mode will probably get worse mileage because of wind drag.
Go on a road at 50 or so mph no ac,switch to ac and try and
notice when the compressor kicks in ,very unnoticeable,not
like a 60's car that would lug down.
I don't know of any vehicle with no wind noise at highway
speeds with all windows down.
Why don't you just leave the cover off if it is that annoying.
I agree there is the trans hesitation and the gas pedal
problem for some,but the posters who state there seats are
like rocks and claim problems that were there when they
bought the car from day one should have maybe asked for
another car or never taken delivery.
Sorry if I hurt anyone feelings.
P.S The rainx seems to help because you use the wipers less
but I think when you use them it puts more of a drag on the
wiper blade,also the wipers seem to wear about the same if
you use them or not probably from uv rays.
Then there's that oft touted 'hesitation'. Well, electronic xmission controls are different, act different, feel different, and have to be gotten used to, just like ABs brakes when they first came on line. Most people who drive 'normally'(meaning modest accelleration for one thing) don't even notice any differences. Those who insist on instant response, immediate power on jump starts, sports car race speed characteristics, etc., are the ones who complain the loudest. If they want that kind of performance from a family sedan then perhaps expectations are in the wrooong (sp intentional) place!!
GM will recall more than 30,000 2005-06 Corvettes after customers complained that the roof flew off while driving the US$45,000 sports car. GM received 395 reports of partial separating of the roof in addition to 21 cases of complete fly-offs.
Now, if you absolutely need a car and cannot wait, then buy the model with the least amount of electronic gizmos!!
abfisch
02 Avalon XL
04 BMW 325ci SP
03 Civic EX (auto)
While I do agree that the new Avalon, although new and improved to some, is just new and NOT improved to me, their changes probably reflect a bottom line, of consumer wants and profit.
If I had to buy a family like car right now, I would probably take a look at the Azera and the Buick Lucerne after a couple of model years and the new Avalon focus has actually gotten away from my own needs. No biggie.
Will see how long this 02 lasts. Have 82K on my XL, and getting ready for a big service, or waterpump, timing and V belts, coolant and thermostat change, and I have a little squeak in the L rear suspension, not sure if just need some lub for the bushing but I'll figure it out. Car runs very good and OEM battery still going strong although I care for the battery every year. TokicoHP struts have gotten a little softer with the miles but still allow the car a very serene level of comfort with much improved handling Might change the lower rear control arm bushings with PU type, just have to see. should last well past 200K, although mileage is slowed as I have bought a used BMW 04 that came over from Germany via a soldier and enjoy that now as well. Both cars have their benefits. The BMW is intoxicating to drive while getting 30.2MPJ on my commute, believe it or not. The Avalon infinitely more comfortable and useful.
abfisch
That said.....the rattles continue to get me down and now the rubber strip that goes around the driver side window keeps getting caught in the window...that sort of thing is not what I expected from a new car. Any new car for that matter. But.....I will persevere and hopefully get these problems sorted out. I still love the car.Hopefully next week I will get help when I take it in.
Bob
the V6 only puts out 197hp (28mpg on highway)and the V8 is
the Northstar putting out 275hp at 25mpg on highway.The
Lucerne weighs 400lbs more than the Avalon,has a larger
turning radius and a dount spare,on the plus side Buick
does have a 4 year 50k miles warr and one may be able to
get low interest rate (2.9%).
I've heard that it can take a year or so before this calms down significantly.
Bob
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Cars in warmer climates or in the summertime in cooler climates are going to be worse as well.
Some cars are worse than others, probably dependent on the quantity, composition and location of the interior plastics. And, this phenomenon can continue to occur for many years, not just the first few months.
This is one downside of all those "soft touch" interior plastics many people go so gaga over.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
As we all know.... nothing is perfect. Still a great car for the money.
1. Front and rear windows both have this ougassing film on it. I will complain directly to Toyota about it, because no way I want to keep breathing this plastic ougassing into my lungs. The views are not entirely clear. I owned 1992 Camry and I was very very happy with it, although it did not have leather seats salon never outgassed and never smelled of plastic.
2. Window wipers make screeching noise.
3. There is rust on the wheels that really shouldn't be present on newer car, specially the one driven in CA.
4. Acceleration is no where near as smooth it was in my 1992 Camry. Car jolts.
5. On certain conditions when I press the brakes speed doesn't go down, but the car slows down. There is a delay between displayed and actual speed.
6. The dealer did not mention oil leak recall at all! I found it out after the purchase.
Most of all I am in a deep shock, of how quality went down compared to older Toyotas. Overall feeling is like I am driving a capricious computer, instead of mechanically perfect car.
This is a simple, and likely, solution. It is also possible the battery cable is failing, or damaged somehow, or that the starter has problems. But go with this for now and see what happens. Post your results, others will have more ideas...
When I had my 06 Avalon XLS (without NAV), I was washing it one afternoon and the radio was cranked up for a good hour, maybe more. Upon finishing I went to start it and it was slow to crank over. Let it run for 10 mins to charge the battery and all was fine.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
The first time the battery failed I was listening to the radio when radio quit. Car would not start, only a relay clicking when attempting to start. Got a boost everything OK. Went to Toyota dealer and they found everything OK. They suggested I need to do more hiway driving.
The second failure came after parking in my garage and next morning battery was dead. Car was in park and keys removed. Took the car back to dealer again they found nothing wrong. I asked them to replace the battery which they did. All seems to be OK but I am wondering if it will fail again. Any thoughts or suggestions.