Avalon - don't be tempted - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

doobre · 10-31-2005, 03:39 AM

I picked up the new Avalon on 10 August. Later that same day the car showed its first fault. I felt a very strong shudder/vibration in the whole car, when travelling slowly in top gear and accelerating very lightly. Slowly=less than 80kmph(50MPH). It felt like there were bumper strips on the road, the kind they use for warning you to slow down.

The same fault happened several times over the next two days but when I took it to the dealer on Saturday, it did not do it anymore. The 1000kms service was done. Since that first happened there is a low frequency droning/vibration/noise (whatever you like call it) coming thru the whole car, starting at about 110kmph (70MPH) and loudest at about 130kmph (80MPH)... This is really annoying as I travel around that speed most of the time and it is quite intrusive when playing quite music..

On September 8, after doing a U-turn, the car gave a huge thud, which shook the whole car and bounced my foot up off the accelerator pedal.? of course when I took it to the dealer it would not do it again...

Also when driving slowly, the gearbox sometimes seems to get confused and does not know which gear to choose, it jumps quickly and suddenly thru gears. Until it finds the 'right' one.
Also the car seems to Amplify the small bumps in the road surface.

On September 17, I had the car checked by a panel of Toyota representatives who were here for a customer reaction visit. I told them all about the faults with my particular car and they went for a ride in it...
The report from these guys is that all these problems/issues are NORMAL...

UNLESS YOU WANT TO TAKE THE RISK HAVING AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS DO NOT BUY A 2005/2006 AVALON

you bet I'm Pi**ed

Bunthy · 10-31-2005, 08:58 AM

sorry to hear about your problems with the avalon......want a smoked meat log?

PurpleDonkey · 10-31-2005, 06:31 PM

Because no other car has ever had problems or faulty units.

I had a BMW that was in the shop 13 times in a year and a half.

If you took it to the right channels, you could have gotten your car replaced. Learn how to complain to the right people ;o)

terrastrife · 11-01-2005, 08:49 AM

doesnt sound like anything is wrong though. eery car makes noises at high speed. some more then others.

a thud.. hm.. hit the kerb? :P only thing mechanical i can think of is a half shaft joint popping in or out, but that wouldnt take your feet of the pedal (nothing should) also may be why the tranny gear hunts, gotta keep ya foot stable

05Limited · 11-01-2005, 11:24 AM

The only issue you mentioned that I can relate to is the tranny hunting for the right gear but that did work itself out for me. I think it was a combination of me learning how the car reacts to throttle response and the adaptive learning of the computer to my style of driving.

I know the adaptive learning of the computer is vital because a couple of times my battery was disconnected or replaced and the tranny issue became more pronounced especially at slow speeds.

On average Toyota vehicles have fewer issues and last much longer than vehicles from the big 3. So if it were me I'd continue to take it back everytime I notice a gremlin so that it is all documented and at the same time research your State lemon laws, just incase the dealer is not able to solve your issues.

Good Luck

PurpleDonkey · 11-01-2005, 03:17 PM

Dont suppose that SC would fit 05-06 avy?

Bunthy · 11-01-2005, 03:29 PM

i dun think so....diff engines