2004 TOYOTA AVALON Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Avalon. This model year has 205 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2004 Toyota Avalon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Steering Defects
Unintended Acceleration
Considering a 2004 Toyota Avalon?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Toyota Avalon. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 127 | 8 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 28 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 25 | 16 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 8 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Avalon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 205 most recent complaints
Ella tuvo realmente la culpa
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 BU…
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 …
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.
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 …
(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.
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 …
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 TAKE…
TAKATA RECALL
#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…
I RECEIVED NOTICE FOR THIS RECALL IN 2015. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 15V043 RECALL DATE: JANUARY 27, 2015 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: ESG NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE IN 2.5 YEARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND BEING SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT HEARD THE ENGINE REV AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO IN…
MY CAR KEYS CAN BE REMOVED WITHOUT PUTTING THE CAR IN P.THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING SPACE AND ROLLED BACK.
HAVE BEEN CALLING DEALERSHIP SINCE MARCH 31ST, 2015. THEY TOLD ME ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS, I WAS ON A LIST. GAVE UP ON CONTACTING THEM.THEIR DEALERSHIP IS LOCATED IN JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT? THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 608-754…
NHTSA RECALL 15V-043 (1-27-15). ON 7/16 I RECEIVED AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE VIA MAIL. RUSSEL TOYOTA 410-788-8400 SAID THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PART COMES IN. ON 12/6/16 I CALL MR. ALLEN, SERVICE MANAGER WHO SAID THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY WOULD CALL ME IN 2-3 …
TOOK CAR TO DON MCGILL 3TIMES ,TOOK IT TO JOE MYERS TODAY AND THE SRS LIGHT IS STILL ON ,THEY SAY THEY COMPLETED THE RECALL ,BUT I NEED A DR SIDE AIR BAG IT HAS A DTC B0116 I'M GOING TO CHECK CONNECTIONS . IT'S MY MOMS CAR AND I WANT TO BE SURE IT'S WORKING.AND SAFE NO SHRAPME…
NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 2004 AVALON XLS WHEN A DRIVER STATED SHE DID NOT SEE ME/MY CAR AND TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME LEAVING ME 2 SECONDS TO BRAKE.THIS WAS ON A CITYN STREET AND SHE WAS TURNING FROM STOPPED POSITION INTO PRIVATE COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT. I WAS DRIVING IN LANE CL…
I TRIED TWICE TO GET A SAFETY RECALL FIXED BY KOONS TOYOTA TYSONS CORNER AFTER RECEIVING A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON MY TOYOTA AVALON (RECALL 15V-043). TWICE THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO INSPECT THE CAR TO SEE IF IT NEEDED A REMEDY TO THE RECAL…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.…
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND SPENT 2000 DOLLARS AT DON MCGILL TOYOTA TO HAVE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG REPLACED. ABOUT A 1000 MILES ( 3 MONTHS) LATER, THE LIGHT IS BACK ON WITH THE SAME CODE. DEALER SO FAR IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT I…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Toyota Avalon.
Recalls for 2004 Toyota Avalon
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Toyota Avalon. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2004 Toyota Avalon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Toyota Avalon reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2004 Toyota Avalon has 205 NHTSA owner complaints, 27 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (127 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Avalon?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (127 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (28 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Toyota Avalon?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Toyota Avalon?▾
The 2004 Toyota Avalon has 27 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 205 total NHTSA complaints. 17 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Toyota Avalon. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Toyota Avalon?▾
The 2004 Toyota Avalon has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Avalon reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2004 Toyota Avalon
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.