Makes›Toyota›Avalon›2005

2005 Toyota Avalon

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Toyota Avalon
Pictured: 2019 Toyota Avalon XSE in Ruby Flare Pearl, Front Right, 09-05-2022. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Xl/Xls
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 19 city / 28 hwy
Length
196.1 in
Curb weight
3,424 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 22 MPG combined — 22% better than the average 2005 large car (18.1 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Toyota Avalon is a large car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 196 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,424 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 28 highway), 22% better than the 2005 large car average of 18.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Xl/Xls196.1 in71.7 in59.1 in109.8 in62.2 / 61.4 in3,424 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Avalon3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22+22%$3,050404
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.1 MPG2005 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Toyota Avalon under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Toyota Avalon (this car)22 MPGNot rated4
2005 Ford Mustang20 MPGNot rated4
2005 Honda Accord28 MPGNot rated11
2005 Chevrolet Impala22 MPGNot rated1
2005 Toyota Camry25 MPGNot rated4
2005 Chevrolet Malibu25 MPGNot rated4
2005 Chrysler 30018 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (4)

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Jun 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 7,749 vehicles

Problem
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 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Oct 21, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V499000 · 728,544 vehicles

Problem
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 COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk
A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles

Problem
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 CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Jan 21, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V017000 · 2,230,661 vehicles

Problem
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 WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
Risk
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Toyota Avalon is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

37Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
132,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags8
Vehicle Speed Control7
Unknown Or Other7
Structure › Body6
Service Brakes6
Power Train5
Seats3
Engine3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/08: 117/09: 118/01: 118/02: 218/03: 118/05: 118/08: 118/11: 118/12: 119/05: 119/06: 219/11: 120/03: 120/06: 122/02: 123/01: 123/04: 123/07: 423/11: 124/05: 124/08: 124/10: 124/11: 125/01: 117/0818/0218/0819/0520/0323/0123/1124/10max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Toyota Avalon buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 8 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Vehicle Speed Control — 7 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Structure › Body — 6 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 132,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Avalon. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Avalon years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2022 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★08
2021 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★227
2020 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★410
2019 Avalon44196.1 in★★★★★572
2018 Avalon40195.3 in★★★★★225
2017 Avalon40195.3 inNot rated214
2016 Avalon40195.3 inNot rated425
2015 Avalon40195.3 inNot rated254
2014 Avalon40195.3 inNot rated4100
2013 Avalon40195.3 inNot rated4103
2012 Avalon22197.2 inNot rated423
2011 Avalon23197.2 inNot rated162

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →