Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Avalon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After the alternator and battery dies the car went right back to accelerating by itself into traffic, I contacted Toyota and explained that after the battery and alternator died the problem came right back but they seem not to care
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shifted into neutral without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked and the gears shifted without warning. The contact further stated that the vehicle lost power. Toyota of bowie (16700 governor bridge rd, bowie, md 20716, [phone]) was unable to duplicate the failures. The contact cited the fuel system as a possible defect. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 20.
I was parking my car at work. I pulled into the parking space and backed up slightly to straighten my car. When I put the car into drive to pull forward again , the car raced forward with engine revving strongly. I could not stop the car with the brake. The car crashed and pushed through a thick brick wall. The airbags did not deploy. The car would only stop after I pushed the engine shutoff button. The gearshift was hard to move after the incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,500.
Since purchasing the Avalon in early June, I have been frustrated with how the car operates between 20 and 40 miles per hour. The car does not always know what gear it needs to shift into. It will frequently race 1000 RPM ahead without any change in speed. Then suddenly it will accelerate and the RPM's will drop back to normal RPM. It seems to happen most often in rush traffic when trying to change lanes. The hesitation in acceleration will cause me to lose most of my margin of safety in the process of changing lanes. In this regard, the car is not safe. There is no way to predict when the problem will occur, and therein, lies the safety hazard. It would seem that the last effort by the service department to update my computer programming failed to achieve any level of improvement to my satisfaction with one exception. …
I have filed a complaint with Toyota regarding the hesitation and erratic shifting of our 2005 Avalon. I was told that it was due to the way the computer controls the new 5 speed transmission in conjunction with their electronic fuel injection control. In researching this problem,I have read where many other Avalon owners have also experienced this. On sun.,03/12/06,I had just exited route 80 eastbound (exit 27) in n.j. And proceeded to merge with traffic on route 206 and had to immediately make a left turn. As I pressed on accelerator,the vehicle simply did not respond (hesitation) and, when it did engage after a second or two,lunged forward. This startled all in the car (myself and 2 passengers) and was a very unsafe occurrence as traffic was heavy and moving fast. The vehicle has approx. 7500 miles on it and will be a year old in June,2006. …
2005 Toyota Avalon touring model taken in 5000 mile service with complaints about a noise coming from rear end or transmission. Toyota could not hear it until I insisted mechanic take ride me. Mechanic acknowledged noise and said maybe coming from computerized ABS brake initiating at 5 MPH. Wife parked at work just couple weeks after maintenance. Pulled into parking at work, stopped, put in park and in seconds the car lunged forward with engine revving at high speed; wife stomped on parking brake but by that time car jumped over 10 or 12 foot curb , a four foot sidewalk and into a wall just stopping as it hit the wall. Tire marks. Call to elmore Toyota garden grove (alan/service) who said they had no body shop and did not want to see car or need to check and work on it before body work. Said if no lights were on the dash there was nothing wrong. …
On May 28, 2016, me and my 4 year old toddler were traveling on the interstate in our 2005 Toyota Avalon (approx. 142,000 miles) when it suddenly loss power. The dashboard lit up and heavy smoke began pouring from under the hood on the right side of the car. Luckily I was able to coast to right side of the road and stop the vehicle without getting slam from behind on the interstate. The vehicle had just been serviced on 05/18/2016; with no issue prior to traveling out of town for the holiday. After a dealer full diagnostic was completed; it was determined that the head gasket blew and that along with the engine had to be replaced. This was the second opinion. The previous dealer full diagnostic was performed on the car in 11/2015, when engine light came on and an "system too lean code" appeared. At that time, the following items were removed and replaced. …
On the 2005 Toyota 3.5 v-6 engine (2fzr engine), there is an oil hose that feeds the left bank (top head of the engine) this hose is bulging and cracking and my research shows that this hose has a technical service bulletin issued by Toyota, but will not be covered unless the hose ruptures during the 5 year or 60,000 miles warranty. This hose is defective and Toyota has replaced it. Since part of the lubrication hose to the left bank of the engine is metal, the portion that is rubber is the affected part only. Further research found that Lexus with similar displacement engine does not have this rubber portion of the lubrication hose. Instead, the line is all metal (as is the case in the right bank of the Avalon engine. I am requesting an investigation and requesting that Toyota issue a metal replacement hose. …
Tl* - on 9/24/06 while the contact was driving vehicle at 60 MPH and it unexpectedly accelerated to 75 MPH. The contact had to apply the brake with both feet to disengage the acceleration on the vehicle. On 10/09/06, while driving on the highway at 40 MPH the vehicle accelerated to 75 MPH, had to hold both feet on the brake and pull the vehicle off to side of the road. At that point the contact took the vehicle to the dealership,) and the dealer stated that the gas pedal was most likely getting caught under the carpet. The dealer couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle. While driving on 12/23/06 at 35 MPH the vehicle accelerated to 75 MPH, after a quarter of a mile contact was able to stop the vehicle by outing both feet on brake. All the brakes were smoking and there was transmission fluid leaking. At that point, contact had the vehicle towed to rosener Toyota. Updated 01/29/07.
Transmission complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota Avalon, 14% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Avalon transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Toyota Avalon, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Avalon transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 52% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.