Toyota Avalon 2005–2012
3rd generation (XX30) · GSX30 / XX30
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,810 complaints, 1,468 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 21,000 and 76,246 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 22 complaints (1.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,000
- 25%
- 21,000
- Median
- 47,500
- 75%
- 76,246
- 90%
- 112,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 171 | 11.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 65 | 4.4% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 49 | 3.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 62 | 4.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 61 | 4.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 53 | 3.6% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 65 | 4.4% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 71 | 4.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 84 | 5.7% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 97 | 6.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 70 | 4.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 64 | 4.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 62 | 4.2% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 49 | 3.3% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 66 | 4.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 38 | 2.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 36 | 2.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 37 | 2.5% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 39 | 2.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 26 | 1.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 17 | 1.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 17 | 1.2% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 32 | 2.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 15 | 1.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 18 | 1.2% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 10 | 0.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 19 | 1.3% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 11 | 0.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 9 | 0.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 22 | 1.5% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,810 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2012 Toyota Avalon, and 1,468 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 21,000 and 76,246 miles. The median is 47,500 miles.
The most-reported areas are throttle and speed control (19.4% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles), the exterior lighting (14.6% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles), the steering (9.5% of complaints, typically around 44,000 miles).
11 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Throttle and speed control30,000median 30,250 miles, middle half 9,000 to 54,000
- Exterior lighting58,000median 58,196 miles, middle half 45,000 to 78,000
- Steering44,000median 43,839 miles, middle half 20,000 to 73,000
- Electrical system52,000median 52,496 miles, middle half 33,000 to 90,000
- Transmission and driveline23,000median 23,150 miles, middle half 3,000 to 59,000
- Body structure53,000median 53,000 miles, middle half 36,000 to 71,000
- Engine and its cooling system50,000median 50,500 miles, middle half 30,000 to 72,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throttle and speed control | 351 | 19.4% | 30,000 | 9,000–54,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 265 | 14.6% | 58,000 | 45,000–78,000 |
| Steering | 172 | 9.5% | 44,000 | 20,000–73,000 |
| Electrical system | 137 | 7.6% | 52,000 | 33,000–90,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 132 | 7.3% | 23,000 | 3,000–59,000 |
| Body structure | 106 | 5.9% | 53,000 | 36,000–71,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 98 | 5.4% | 50,000 | 30,000–72,000 |
| Airbag system | 83 | 4.6% | 60,000 | 29,000–113,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 77 | 4.3% | 57,000 | 23,000–80,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 57 | 3.1% | 34,000 | 12,000–55,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 47,500 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 19.4% of complaints (351 reports, 291 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 30,250 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,000 and 54,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 14.6% of complaints (265 reports, 237 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 58,196 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 78,150 miles.
The steering accounts for 9.5% of complaints (172 reports, 148 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,839 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 73,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.6% of complaints (137 reports, 105 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,496 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,650 and 90,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 7.3% of complaints (132 reports, 108 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 23,150 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 3,000 and 59,331 miles.
Body structure accounts for 5.9% of complaints (106 reports, 85 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 53,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 36,000 and 71,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2006 model year drew the most — 449 complaints — while 2012 drew the fewest at 35. The median year sits at 216.
That makes 2006 an outlier: roughly 2.1 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 11 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around seats (3), equipment (3), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,810 complaints filed against this generation, 268 reported a crash; 15 reported a fire; 185 reported an injury; 7 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 14.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 21,000 and 76,246 miles, with a median of 47,500. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, throttle and speed control and the exterior lighting are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Throttle and speed control in particular shows a median failure mileage of 30,250, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine - Oil Supply Hose 2007–2011
2GR-FE rubber oil supply hose feeding the VVT-i controller can rupture, causing rapid loss of engine oil and possible engine damage or fire; Toyota recalled affected 2GR-FE vehicles and replaced the rubber section with a metal line.
Accelerator / Floor Mat 2005–2010
Included in Toyota's 2009-2010 floor mat pedal entrapment recalls covering unintended acceleration risk on several 2005-2010 models.
Powertrain Change 2005–2012
Grouping note, not a defect: MY2005-2007 cars use the 5-speed U151E and MY2008-2012 use the 6-speed U660E, so transmission complaints should be segmented at 2008.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 303 | 226 |
| 2006 | 449 | 357 |
| 2007 | 313 | 259 |
| 2008 | 417 | 366 |
| 2009 | 110 | 90 |
| 2010 | 53 | 42 |
| 2011 | 130 | 100 |
| 2012 | 35 | 28 |
Recalls (11)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V024000 | 2020-03-16 | Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module |
| 18V569000 | 2018-09-19 | Seat Belts |
| 16V396000 | 2016-07-14 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler |
| 15V047000 | 2015-07-01 | Electrical System |
| 14V743000 | 2015-01-29 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler |
| 13V442000 | 2014-02-05 | Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner |
| 13V014000 | 2013-03-21 | Seats |
| 10V499000 | 2010-11-15 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder |
| 10V036000 | 2010-05-27 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 10V035000 | 2010-05-27 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 10V017000 | 2010-02-05 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal |
What owners reported
I just purchased 2005 Toyota Avalon limited. I experience terrible transmission hesitation/slippage. It is getting dangerous when i have to enter highway ramp because of transmission hesitation.When i coast at low speed, for example, i notice a red traffic light ahead and take my foot off the gas, the car then…
2005 · 15 miles · Transmission and driveline
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…
2005 · 18 miles · Throttle and speed control
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…
2005 · 20 miles · Fuel and propulsion system
We leased a new 2005 Toyota Avalon.Immediately,after driving 6 miles,we started hearing a clunk from the left rear. I called Toyota and they said they would check it when i came back to put the spoiler on.They were able to duplicate the noise and kept the car for several days. I did get corporate Toyota involved…
2005 · 31 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
Built from 1,468 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page