2005 Toyota Avalon Reliability
The 2005 Toyota Avalon has 228 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about speed control / throttle and steering. Compared with nearby Avalon model years (2003–2007), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Avalon's typical year, while the 2004 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
228
NHTSA owner complaints
7
Recall campaigns
36
Complaints citing a crash
3
Complaints citing a fire
2005 Toyota Avalon complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 model year, filed between 2005 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Speed control / throttle | 72 | 32% |
| Steering | 42 | 18% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 33 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 11% |
| Engine & cooling | 24 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 7% |
| Body structure | 15 | 7% |
| Air bags | 12 | 5% |
2005 Toyota Avalon recalls
7 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2005 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05V227000 | May 16, 2005 | Steering — column | On certain passenger vehicles, the steering yoke was not welded to the steering shaft. If the vehicle is operated in this condition, there is a possibility that the yoke may come off from the shaft, and could result in a loss of vehicle steering control. |
| 06V096000 | Apr 3, 2006 | Air bags | On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for… |
| 09V388000 | Oct 5, 2009 | Speed control / throttle — accelerator pedal | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. |
| 10V017000 | Jan 21, 2010 | Speed control / throttle — accelerator pedal | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in… |
| 10V036000 | Feb 3, 2010 | Equipment — other / labels | Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying… |
| 10V499000 | Oct 21, 2010 | Service brakes — foundation components / master cylinder | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 Avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 lexus rx, and model year 2006 lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system… |
| 16V396000 | Jun 2, 2016 | Seats — front assembly / seat heater/cooler | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011… |
How the 2005 compares with nearby Avalon years
Verdicts compare these Avalon model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 305 | 2 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2004 | 205 | 3 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2005 (this page) | 228 | 7 | Speed control / throttle | Caution |
| 2006 | 360 | 7 | Speed control / throttle | Avoid |
| 2007 | 243 | 6 | Speed control / throttle | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2005 Toyota Avalon
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 7 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2005 Toyota Avalon can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2005 Toyota Avalon reliability FAQ
Is the 2005 Toyota Avalon reliable?
The 2005 Toyota Avalon has 228 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about speed control / throttle and steering. Compared with nearby Avalon model years (2003–2007), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Avalon's typical year, while the 2004 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota Avalon problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Avalon are speed control / throttle (72), steering (42), powertrain / transmission (33), service brakes (25). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2005 Toyota Avalon have recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota Avalon, including 05V227000 (steering — column) and 06V096000 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2005 Toyota Avalon compare with the 2004 and 2006 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2004 has 205 complaints and 3 recalls (solid); the 2006 has 360 complaints and 7 recalls (avoid). The 2005 has 228 complaints and 7 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2005 Toyota Avalon?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Toyota Avalon research
Other Toyota Avalon model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2005 Avalon, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.