Common Toyota Avalon Faults: Breakdowns, Solutions And Problems!
If you’re looking for a full-size sedan that offers great handling, exciting performance, and bold styling, the Toyota Avalon is a great choice for you. But not everything is rosy, this vehicle also has some common Toyota Avalon faults .
With its fuel efficient engine and adaptive variable suspension, the Avalon is a reliable daily driver. Its value is expected to depreciate by 55% after five years.
How good is the Toyota Avalon?
The Avalon is given a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 , ranking it third of 12 full-size cars in its segment. Average cost of ownership for the Avalon is estimated at $460, which is $130 less than its competitors.
The frequency of unscheduled repairs for this model is 0.4 times per year with a 13% probability that the problem is serious. This is slightly higher compared to other full-size cars.
Common failures of the Toyota Avalon
Despite being one of the automaker’s flagship models, the Toyota Avalon has had its fair share of problems. Here are some of the most common problems associated with this model:
1- Problems with the rear sun visor
A faulty rear window sunshade has been a common complaint from some 1995-2016 Toyota Avalon owners. Drivers of affected model years have reported that the sun visor made grinding noises and required passengers to manually push it down. This problem is usually corrected by replacing the entire sun visor assembly . Removing the fuse is also a common solution to eliminate the grinding noise.
2- Problems with distorted speakers and infotainment system
Many owners of the 2015 Avalon redesign have reported that their speakers produced buzzing noises when lower bass tones were played on the radio. Other drivers tried to install extra padding to solve the problem, but the same problem occurred. Owners have been told this is a design flaw and have been advised to replace the door panel.
There have also been reports of a faulty infotainment system in some units of the 2015 Avalon. Drivers have complained that the radio, navigation and other apps kept restarting intermittently. The screen would sometimes freeze, leaving caller ID information on the screen.
3- Gear shift problems
Owners of many 1995-1998, 2000-2007, 2009, and 2015 Avalons with automatic transmissions have complained that their vehicles cannot shift gears properly. Transmission hesitates when shifting from second to third gear when driving at low speed.
There have also been cases where the transmission would jerk or go into neutral before engaging gear due to a faulty throttle position sensor or shift solenoid. Replacing the throttle position sensor can cost anywhere from $150 to $400 , while the price of a new shift solenoid can range from $100 to $500 plus labor costs.
4- Failures in the EVAP vapor canister
Some 1995-2004, 2006, 2011, and 2015 Avalons have had issues with their steam canister releasing carbon pellets, which can clog the vent valve. This issue triggered the check engine light on affected models and emitted a fuel vapor odor from under the engine.
5- Disadvantages of sudden acceleration
Sudden acceleration has been one of the common Toyota Avalon failures reported by many 2014 Avalon owners. There have been complaints that their vehicles would accelerate for no reason with the RPM jumping from 700 to 3600 in 1.5 seconds. Some have also reported that their accelerator pedal went from 27% to 79.5% in less than a second. However, Toyota claims that no problem has been detected in the affected models.
Sudden unintentional acceleration typically occurs when a vehicle experiences an electronic fault, causing the throttle to expand without the driver pressing the gas pedal. In some cases, sudden acceleration can also occur when the driver hits the brakes , shifts to cruise control, or changes gear.
6- Engine failures
Many owners of the 1995-2010 and 2012 Avalon redesigns have reported multiple instances of engine misfiring. Your vehicles shake and hesitate due to a faulty ignition coil. Replacement of this part can cost between $5 and $50 plus labor costs.
Be aware, however, that there may be other causes of an engine misfiring such as a malfunction of the control module, the crankshaft position sensor, or the fuel injector. Mechanical problems can also cause the engine to fail . If your engine is misfiring, it is best to have your vehicle checked out by a licensed mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
7- Failure in the oxygen sensor
Some drivers of the 1996-2008 and 2012 Avalon redesigns have reported that their faulty oxygen sensor caused their vehicles to suffer from poor gas mileage, a rough running engine, and may have caused them to fail their emissions test.
The price of a replacement oxygen sensor usually ranges from $30 to $150 plus labor costs.
8- Problem with painting
Peeling paint on the roof has been a common 2011 Toyota Avalon problem reported by many drivers. Owners have reported that paint bubbled up on the roof of their vehicles , as well as between the windshield and sunroof . There have also been cases where the paint flakes off due to lack of primer when applying the paint.
9- Engine oil loss problems
Leaking engine oil has been a common problem found on many 2006 Avalon units. Owners have reported that their vehicles would make unusual engine noises due to a damaged oil hose causing engine oil to leak. Some drivers have also reported that their vehicles had to be towed to a repair shop due to a gaping hole in the side of the engine block.
10- Idle air control valve problems
A clogged idle air control valve has been a commonly reported problem by some 1995-2004 and 2006 Avalon owners. Drivers of affected models have reported that their vehicles took longer to idle. There have also been cases where the engine refuses to accelerate below 2000 rpm due to debris buildup on the idle air control valve.
In conclusion
As reliable as the Toyota Avalon is, it’s normal for problems to arise as you rack up the miles. If you familiarize yourself with the most common model problems and are aware of its maintenance needs, you can expect your daily driver to last a long time.
