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2004 Toyota Avalon problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Toyota Avalon is airbags, typically around 82,963 miles. It has 2.1 times the complaints of a typical Avalon model year.

Year to avoid2.1x the typical complaints
Year score
47/100
Owner complaints
205
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
126
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
22mpg

The worst 2004 Toyota Avalon problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Toyota Avalon

Airbag light 53Sudden acceleration 14No deployment 10Power steering loss 5

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontalReported January 28, 2015 · 1,006,849 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Risk
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. GM issued an interim notification to owners on March 27, 2015. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1‑800‑620‑7668. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V‑029 and 14V‑147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.

Recall number 15V043000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported November 9, 2011 · 420,326 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of adhesive agent applied between the outer ring and the torsional rubber damper (inner ring) in the crankshaft pulley may be inadequate. If the adhesive is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outer ring may become misaligned and it may not properly rotate with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the battery discharge indicator light.
Risk
In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the u.s. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during early january 2012. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 11V539000 · Recall details

SteeringReported July 29, 2010 · 372,593 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2000-2004 avalon vehicles. Due to improper casting of the steering lock bar, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface of the lock bar. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break.
Risk
Should the steering lock bar break, the steering wheel would lock and the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the steering interlock device free of charge. The safety recall began on september 7, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 10V345000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2004 Toyota Avalon

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Toyota Avalon 126

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 126 bulletins for the 2004 Toyota Avalon

2004 Toyota Avalon fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylFWD192722

What 2004 Toyota Avalon owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Driver assistance, Suspension · CA

Ella tuvo realmente la culpa

Filed Mar 12, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Car makes a very, very loud screeching sound when started with A/C or heating on (but more commonly with A/C). The sound will sometimes die down or stop once A/C is turned off, but not always. Puddles can trigger the sound as well. Sound can be heard mainly upon inital startup but can occur after car is in motion.

Filed Feb 17, 2021 · Body, Engine · 106,500 miles · IN

I've noticed that sometimes I smell something burning, electrical, coolant or something. My mechanics finds no leaks, but I checked once and the coolant reservoir was empty, find no leaks. Somehow, the passenger side rear mud flap came off and the trunk lid doesn't line up. It always looks like it's partially opened. When driving I hear and feel rattling sounds that sounds and feels like the front passenger side suspension or body panels. More like the suspension. The person I bought it from had it serviced regularly and had timing chain, o2 sensor, anti-lock brakes checked and fixed or replaced. They also had it completely checked out and anything wrong was fixed. It also gets very poor gas mileage. The steering also doesn't feel quite right, can't really explain that very well, other than it's no quite right. Also, for some reason the battery wouldn't start the car one day and we checked the battery and the cells were dry.

Filed Jul 18, 2019 · Electrical · 208,000 miles · AR

The ecu itself is not working, which they are supposed to never stop working. Well ours stopped working and the licensed mechanic will not work on it if it is recalled. We are literally waiting on toyota to fix our car. They have not done so. The hole ecu not just part of it.

Filed Mar 16, 2019 · Airbags, Steering · 284,000 miles · CA

Air bag dashboard light occasionally flickers and begins to glow for a few seconds. Seems to occur more frequently in wet weather. My steering wheel will lock when I turn left or right while driving. Reversed backwards a little bit and wiggled the steering wheel, it wouldn't budge then I went forward and wiggled and it finally loosened. This has happened 4 times and usually in wet weather. My car is listed in the air bag recall of 2015; however, I have not been notified of what to do next and it has now been more than 3 years since first notification.

Filed Dec 28, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 110,000 miles · FL

(1) air bag dashboard light occasionally flickers and begins to glow for a few seconds this seems to occur more frequently in wet weather.. (2) when moving and making a right turn, the door locks click open and the interior light goes on for a few seconds, this happens daily.

Filed Sep 5, 2018 · Steering · 140,822 miles · WA

My steering wheel will lock when I turn left or right while driving ..this morning I was just starting my car and was turning left and my steering wheel locked and I went up the sidewalk and almost hit the fence and I couldn't move it I reversed backwards a little bit and wiggle the steering wheel and it wouldn't budge then I went forward and wiggled and it finally loosened. This has happened 4 times now usually in the morning. And my mileage is 140,822

Filed Aug 8, 2018 · Airbags, Steering · 122,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota avalon. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that extra strength was needed to steer the vehicle and the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2018 · Airbags · DC

Takata recall

Filed Nov 28, 2017 · Airbags · PA

#15v043 the airbag indicator light blinking, never stops, whether driving or parked. I purchased this car used, in maryland, where it passed their inspection and will pass my inspection in pennsylvania, but does concern me. I sold my 1999 toyota avalon xl to my granddaughter and never had this problem. According to the car fax this vehicle never got a recall, but got the recall # from the internet. Seems this is a problem that the toyota avalon has, along with many other vehicles.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2004 Toyota Avalon before you buy

Compare the 2004 Toyota Avalon

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2004 Toyota Avalon

Is the 2004 Toyota Avalon reliable?

Owners have filed 205 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Avalon, 2.1 times a typical Avalon model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2004 Toyota Avalon year score?

The 2004 Toyota Avalon scores 47 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Avalon: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Toyota Avalon?

Airbags, with 127 complaints, typically around 82,963 miles. Next is steering (28).

How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have?

3 recalls, covering air bags, engine and engine cooling and steering.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Toyota Avalon airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 15V043000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Toyota Avalon have bad airbags?

The Toyota Avalon model years with the most airbags complaints are 2003 (184 complaints), 2004 (127 complaints) and 2002 (35 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota Avalon get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Toyota Avalon range from 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 27 highway.

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