Owners' Stories

My 2011 toyota avalon has 9000 miles on it. At about 8000 miles I began to notice a pop in the steering collum when I would turn in either direction. The dealer stated that they would probably have to change out the steering colum assy. but would have to get authority from the toyota factory. I am still waiting. It is a great driving auto and very smooth but I am not happy abour having to wait for some one with authority to decide if they are going to repair it or not. The early model 2011s had this problem so if you buy be sure and check the vin number to see if that car is in the problem vins.

Wish I could afford a new car jap junk made in non-union assembly plants. Whats with the brakes?

have 110,000 miles. been getting a thumping noise from the rear. Have replaced struts and sway bar bushings, still getting the thumping noise. Looking for thoughts as cause. Please reply to drwnbhlr@rushmore.com thank you

I have a 2011 avalon with 4700 miles. their is a whisling sound inside car between 2000 and 2500 rpms it sounds almost like a turbo charger.also in drive without AC on engine rpm drops down slowly while sitting to the point that car starts to shake. tech rep ststes this is normal. I am very mechanically inclined an old school mechanic and not crazy or ill.does any one out there have a cliue or suggestion.my e-mail is frankwf809@comcast.net

My 1995 Avalon XLS has 308,000 miles on it. It's been and still is a great car, having only required one emergency fix - a bad A/C compressor that shorted out the heater/vent fan circuits causing those fuses to blow. Over the years, I've done mileage-related replacements on preventative maintenance schedule - tires, belts, hoses, fluids and filters, brake pads and one set of rotors. I had a stuck left rear caliper that necessitated replacement of rear rotors and pads. I've changed CV assemblies once, timing belt kit once, spark plugs once, both oxygen sensors and one ABS sensor and fixed a small valve cover leak. So far, a great repair record over 16 years. It runs like a top and by frugal driving, I get between 28 and 31 MPG. Fit and finish remain excellent. I only had one rust spot - on the driver's side upper corner of the windshield. Body shop fixed that some years back. I wax it twice a year using Carnuba wax and keep the engine compartment and undercarriage clean. To sum it up, it's the nicest and most expensive car I ever bought, but the cheapest car I ever owned.

2000 Toyota Avalon XLS. 212,500 miles. Replaced transmission at 197,000 miles. Change oil every 6-7 thousand miles. Only changed brake rotors, brake pads. & tires at normal intervals. Changed timing belt & water pump 2x. Need to replace shocks. Still drves better than anything from GM,Ford & Chrysler. Hope to get at least 300,000 miles Also have a 2011 Honda Accord V6 EXL. Avalon is quieter.

I have a 2005 Avalon Limited with 69000 miles. I recently had problems with the dual zone climate control. The drivers side was dramatically warmer than the passenger side with both set on LO. I started by checking the servo controlled actuators for both driver and passenger sides and found they were functioning properly. I read that low R134a refrigerant could possibly cause this. The mechanics at Firestone confirmed it and proceeded to evacuate and recharge the system. No leaks were found. This whole ordeal cost $169.

Have a 2000 Avalon with 260,000 plus miles. That equals 122 in Ford years My strategy: keep it away from a dealer, except for oil changes. Check engine light comes on once or twice a year, turn it off by disconnecting the positive cable on your battery. It will usually occurs due to a misfire during starting, My car still gets over 30 miles to a gallon on the road and I have never changed the plugs or wires timing belt or water pump. Car is a dream. Have been bitten by the dealer about oxygen sensor, it is a rip off in most cases. Strategy to long lie of vehicle, drive the speed limits, change the oil every 5 or 6,000 miles and trans fluid and power steering fluid @ 150,000. Have dealer do these as the Toyota additives seem to work long term. Preparing it for a cross country trip, get it washed and treat it to wax it is eleven now

This is my second Avalon. It is smooth and quite and it gets great gas mileage. I have had no problems with my Avalon. It has 65000 miles and I just put my second set of tire on it. I plan on putting another 100000 on it before I purchase another Avalon

Hi Wolfman. I've had my Avalon for almost 11 years, original owner. DO NOT take your car to the dealer! I've been to four in Tampa Bay; all of them lie. One tried to sucker me into replacing all my belts, even though they had been replaced in the past year. Why? I asked because they didn't see a sticker, unique to Toyota dealers. No one even looked at the belts!! My car has 125,000 and runs great! Find yourself a good mechanic and you'll most likely find out your car is in good shape. Oh, one problem from day one; vibration. I have to have the tires balanced (on) the car or I have a vibration in steering and seat.

This is my second Avalon, and I love the car. Small problems with the interior are (1) I have long legs, and the driver's side is tight, sometimes I have trouble getting legs out (even with the adjustable steering wheel, and power seats); (2) the plug-in location to recharge my cell phone is in an awkward location and sometimes does not connect.; (3) there is a noticible blind spot (for me) as I turn left, and look to my right. The combination of right-side mirror plus the roof support post that separates the front windshield and the right-side door creates an occasional blind spot. It has hidden an oncoming car that happens to be in just the right place, given where I am sitting and my view. I've learned to be very careful on left turns. My engine critique is recent. Immediately following my 60,000 mile checkup, I noticed -- a block away from the dealer and the checkup -- that on turning a corner, the accelerator "hesitated" before it caught. The power was not consistant. On a return check, the dealer could find no problems, but the power hesitation persists. It's something I have to solve, as my wife refuses to drive the car until she KNOWS it's fixed. Any ideas, Toyota?

THIS 2000 TOYOTA AVALON IS THE BEST CAR EVER! It now has 165,000 miles on it and rides like a dream. The airconditioning is far superior to the MERCEDES airconditioning...which is the car I used to drive.

I bought my Avalon new in 2000 and have had no problems. 125,000 miles and going strong. The roominess in the backseat is hard to beat.

I bought my Avalon used. It had 76,000 miles on it. It now has 257,000 miles. I love this car. Have never done anything but replace struts. I have a Lexus also and would take my Avalon over it again and again. The inside and the body is still beautiful. Wish I could buy a new one just like it!!!!

Original owner of '96 Avalon.. It now has 240,000 miles on it and it still runs smooth.. I have replaced the struts at 175k miles and the power steering rack at 200k (due to road debris damage).. This is undoubtably the best car I have owned. have to replace the front cv axle now.. (very tough mileage, it has been used as a work car for 10 years).. My wife has a 2007 Lexus es350.... my Avalon is quieter and runs smoother....

i have a 2005 toyota avalon and i love it!! i have over 84000 mile on it now and i have not had to replace anything besides brakes, air filter and tires!!! which i just changed my air filter to a k&n and i got one mpg better and i i use full sen oil andi change

245000 miles and still running good. Recently it started leaking oil from the valve cover gasket

Overall, this is a nice car roomy, good gas mileage on highway, etc.

It has become known to me that almost on every toyota the gas tank is broken, which tells me that the design of the gas tank should be highly reconsidered for redesigning. also i think that toyota are extremely high in cost to keep scheduled maintainence.

Recently purchased one of these with ~63k miles and it still runs very well. The interior is roomy and the engine has a nice feel and provides much better power than my Camry but still maintains decent fuel economy (about 23/24mpg).

Bought this car new Dec. 1996. Original tires wore out in less than 20,000 miles. Replaced with Michelin and have been happy. Just replaced the first part (sway bar link), and the rear struts are starting to leak. The only other problem is the aluminum wheels, the air leaks from the rims. The battery is still good after almost 13 years.

I love this car! I've had a recent year Lincoln Town Car and Lexus E series, and this car is superior to both in performance, fit and finish. Avalon performs, rides and looks "luxury." Its ride is smooth, quiet at any speed, and handling is deft. While Avalon is not a sports model by any mean, its acceleration and handling can make it entertaining. Avalon's exterior has a pleasing, distinguished, and conservative appearance, though we've lately noted increasing numbers of other brand copy-cat look alike's. The interior is very roomy and airy, well-fitted and appointed. Controls are easy to comprehend and manipulate, Both heating and air conditioning work well throughout the interior.. Acceleration is quick, and there is ample power (V-6) left to easily pass while cruising at high speed. After one full year, my suburban gas mileage is averaging 21 mpg and long distance highway 30 mpg. Expense has been nominal; no repairs or re-adjustments have been necessary, aside from regular oil changes and mileage-based maintenance visits. (I chose synthetic oil and change it about every 3,500 miles to help ensure higher miles / longer car life.) There was a recent recall of some 3.8 million Lexus and Toyotas, including this model year, for a design flaw of the driver's carpet mat for reported jamming over the accelerator pedal, though this driver has not experienced the problem. We initially checked for used cars and had a great deal of difficulty with locating them. There were few ads and we heard the same from local dealers we checked; drivers keep them. (We eventually bought new.)

Bought our car new Oct ’03. My wife picked this car over any other car, mainly for its roomy back seat and comfortable ride. At the time I didn’t even know that Toyota made a model called the Avalon. I have come to like this car for its overall economy in MPG, maintenance and great ride. In 53,000 miles we have replaced 4 tires and the rear brakes. It’s not a head turner, nor a tire burner, but it has been (and I hope it continues to be) a very good value. I have had 20 plus cars so far, some new, some not so new and the only one I liked more was our Cadillac ETC, it was a head turner and tire burner. It was also tens of thousands of dollars more than the Avalon. In summary: the items I like are good quality/cost-to-own, comfortable ride, and classy looking interior. The items I don’t like are the plain looking exterior styling and lack of power. It seems that both of issues have improved in newer models.

I bought my '06 Limited new after coming to the startling realization (after test drives) that my 60-year-old self now values comfort, room and quiet over sport-sedan athletics. As long as one keeps in mind the obvious -- this is NOT a G35 or a 330 or even a TL -- it's a fine car and an outstanding long-legged cruiser with a strong engine and MPGs that border on the amazing. At 55k miles I have the following observations: strengths are its commodious, beautifully-appointed interior with a back seat worthy of a sheik and small harem; its velvet-smooth power train; its long legs (over 500 miles between interstate fillups) and excellent MPGs (up to 30 at interstate speeds, 22 - 25 around the 'burbs); and oustanding fit and finish. Lesser items: flaccid handling with numb, uninspired steering feel (and the Touring just added a hardher ride, in my view); a very user-hostile GPS, corrected in subsequent years, and truncated sat-radio/music readouts; and occasional abrupt downshifts at low speeds under load. I know at least a few of these cars have had quality niggles; mine has not and it was zero-defects from delivery until now, as one expects from Toyota. If you're looking for a comfortable, luxurious "poor man's Lexus," this is da bomb. If you want a sports sedan, go elsewhere.

This car now has 104k miles and it runs beautifully. All I had to do is replace the rotors, brakes, tires, which are all due to the high mileage. The mechanic tells me it will run for some time.

I have 2006, been at best fair..Just had to have timing belt gasket replaced $1200, had to drop the engine out to get at it. On my 3rd set of tires..and now the air conditioning is a problem ...not the end all be all ...next time maybe a Buick

A Very Solid Car

This has been an outstanding car. Just had a 98 point inspection, the kind used when toyota certifies a used car. Only items needed were an air filter and cabin filter. Everything else on this 3 year old car was in excellent condition. I also use Amsoil in the transmission and engine. I get better mileage, runs cooler and seems to shift smoother. I change oil and filter every 10,000 miles. This is my third Avalon and I have used Amsoil in all of them with over 140,000 on two of them with no problems except normal wear. i.e. brakes, oil change, tires, etc.

2nd owner. 135k miles. Car is OK, but emission problems frustrate me. Dealer says we have to replace all 3 catalytic converters at $2600 because they can't troubleshoot and find the specific problem!! And Toyota tells them to do this, supposedly. Constant electrical problems. $500 to replace valve cover gaskets!!

I have own this car since it was new. No one else has driven this car (295,000 miles) but me. The suspension for the 97 Toyota was beyond bad. Had to be replaced with stiffer struts. Starter went out at 200,000 miles but this was an easy fix. $150 for new starter. I will never own any car except an Avalon and never any bike except a Harley.

Problems with Tranny making a vibration noise at 3-45 MPH, in 5th gear. I have 104,000 miles on this car. Great care except for tranny.

This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. As is often said; it's the best Buick General Motors never built. My first Toyota was a 1973 Celica,which I kept til 1990,at which time I gave it to an employee that needed reliable transportation.

I love this car.... 1996 Avalan roomy- powerful - great engine

Near comparable to Lexus LS for signifcantly less $$. Regular fuel instead of premium, front wheel drive vs rear, rear power sun shade std on Limited vs optional for the LS, larger interior, better fuel mileage.