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2005 Toyota Avalon: sudden unintended acceleration

21 of the 228 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Avalon describe sudden unintended acceleration.

owner complaints
21
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
39,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below

Sudden unintended acceleration by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · IA

I had multiple incidences of my car surging in my toyota avalon. I would put my foot on the brake but the car wouldn't stop but would surge forward. At first this didn't scare me and I got a little used to it actually so that I thought I could handle it. But it kept getting worse. I drove on the highway between iowa city and cedar rapids a lot. I would always use cruise control. I would say it happened to me 10-15 times on the highway between cedar rapids and iowa city. I remember coming very close to rear ending someone when I had to slow down to exit but the car wouldn't slow down.

Filed Aug 8, 2011 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while driving with the cruise control set at 55 MPH, the vehicle surged forward to 70 MPH without warning. The failure was experienced twice. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but the vehicle was not examined to determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 103,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 18, 2011 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a utility pole. The contact attempted to apply the brakes but to no avail. The contact was injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local body shop and declared as destroyed. Prior to the crash, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v017000 (vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that no mechanical failure were located within the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2011 · Acceleration · 48,000 miles · FL · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and in reverse out of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse and crashed into another vehicle. She applied the brakes as hard as she could but the vehicle wouldn't stop. No one was injured. The police were not notified. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they are waiting for an inspector to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 48,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Acceleration · 39,000 miles · ME · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. While traveling at 2 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning causing the contact to crash into a nearby tree. There were no injuries. A police report was available. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileage was 39,000.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Acceleration · 18,009 miles · PA · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. While driving at 10 MPH with his foot on the brake pedal, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle went over a curb and hit a concrete trash can. There was front end damage to the vehicle but no injuries. The contact called an authorized dealership but the dealer stated that they could not assist him if he did not file a claim with the manufacturer. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were 18,009.

Filed Mar 23, 2010 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · NJ

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). We own a 2005 toyoto avalon. After having the toyota special service campaign/recall (ssc aoa - accelerator pedal reinforcement) done about 3 weeks ago my wife experienced a sudden acceleration while traveling about 5 miles per hour. She was able to stop the car by applying the brakes very hard. We reported the incident to toyota. They gave us a case number, 1003190624, and said that someone would contact us yesterday to investigate. Toyota did not contact us on the date they gave. We were at home all day. Please investigate this incident and follow-up with toyota. [xxx]

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Acceleration · CA

2005 toyota avalon - sent car in on thurs, mar 11th for fixes per recall on accelerator and floor mat. The next day after the fix had been completed, while driving, the car accelerated on its own after releasing the accelerator. The car was fixed at the toyota dealership in redwood city, ca.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Acceleration · 48,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota avalon. The contact took the vehicle into the dealer to be serviced per the recall. The vehicle began to surge forward after the vehicle was repaired while driving approximately 15 MPH. The contact did not have time to depress the brake pedal and allowed the vehicle slow down on its own. A different driver experienced the identical failure while driving the vehicle at 30 MPH. The dealer nor the manufacturer were informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48000 and the current mileage was 48103.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Acceleration · 47,800 miles · MD · crash

We purchased a 2005 toyota avalon. Since 2007. We complained of erratic acceleration and downshifting problems. We also reported electrical issues involving the dashboard lights blinking on and off. Each response was your car passed all of our diagnostic tests'. Last year, while accelerating from a traffic light, our car surged forward hitting a vehicle. Luckily, no one was hurt. On january 25, 2010, while accelerating on a bridge incline, the car did not slow when the gas pedal was released. I applied the brakes and steered off the road hitting a curb. I contacted our local dealer. After performing diagnostic tests, we were informed the vehicle was fine. The surging could not be explained. When asked if the car had the cts gas pedal, the service manager wasn't sure. After checking, he confirmed it did have the recalled pedal. We expressed concern about driving the vehicle. The service manager assured us they found no problems and said the two incidents were not related to the faulty gas pedal because they took place too far apart. After contacting toyota corporate (repeatedly) we finally had the 'pedal fix' taken care of yesterday. From the start, we felt the dealer ignored us. . One employee told us 'if it is related to the gas pedal, it will be the first complaint on the east coast.' we have owned toyotas for over 25 years. We fully understand recalls. It is difficult to understand downplaying the concerns of customers. Truthfully, we feel no safer after the new part was installed. This does not seem as if it will take care of the problem any more than the floor mat recall. We also continue to have problems with the electrical system (dashboard lights blink on and off).

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Acceleration · 32,000 miles · PR

While en route from san juan to ponce, pr, I decided to use the cruise control on my toyota avalon 2005. It worked very well, until I decided to use the resume speed option of the cruise control. As soon as the resume movement was activated, the car accelerated suddenly and lunged forward at an unbelievable rate of speed that scared us, and I had to depress the brake pedal to disengage the resume option. This occurred twice and then I opted for not using the cruise control at all. Recently my car was serviced at furiel toyota dealer here in ponce, where the recall requirements for the accelerator and oil hose were completed.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · CT

I have owned and driven a 2005 toyota avalon since may 20, 2005. Now it has about 35,000 miles on it. From time to time, estimated at seven or so instances, I noted a dramatic increase in engine RPM when applying the brakes. This happened only during brake application, not at other times. In each instance of unexpected acceleration, I was able to stop the car with a firm, steady application of pressure on the brake pedal. After the first recall for the floor mat, I removed the mat on the driver's side. I was skeptical that the mat was a problem because it is a heavy, oem, fitted mat which was anchored with two factory installed hooks on the floor. They engage the mat through eyelets near the mat's trailing edge. With the mat removed, I experienced another sudden acceleration incident in the garage of hartford hospital. It was close to a disaster but the application of heavy, steady pressure on the brake pedal stopped the car. I considered the possibility that the brake and accelerator pedals are configured or positioned so that both are activated at the same time. On close examination I concluded that was unlikely. I now conclude these failures have been caused by a defect in the electronic system in the car. I have reported this to ctdot. A representative(?) phoned to refer my correspondence to federal dot.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedalReported January 21, 2010 · 2,230,661 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 10V017000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedalReported October 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Risk
A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331, lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.

Recall number 09V388000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2005 Toyota Avalon sudden acceleration

Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 2005 Toyota Avalon?

21 of 228 owner complaints about the 2005 Toyota Avalon (9%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2006.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Toyota Avalon?

There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2005 Toyota Avalon

Hesitation 18Adaptive cruise 9Jerking 9Check engine light 7Stalling 6Steering noise 6No deployment 5Engine failure 5Harsh shifting 5Loss of power 5

All model years of the Toyota Avalon

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