VehicleVerdict

2004 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 252 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Avalon year — the 2004 model ranks #6 of 28 Avalon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 23 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 51% of all reports (128 of 252), far ahead of steering at 29.

252

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

36

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

23

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted449 complaints1995: 92 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 155 complaints1998: 205 complaints1999: 113 complaints2000: 220 complaints2001: 168 complaints2002: 148 complaints2003: 353 complaints2004: 252 complaints2005: 303 complaints2006: 449 complaints2007: 311 complaints2008: 417 complaints2009: 110 complaints2010: 51 complaints2011: 130 complaints2012: 35 complaints2013: 187 complaints2014: 123 complaints2015: 63 complaints2016: 33 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 31 complaints2019: 92 complaints2020: 13 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 13 complaints
Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags12851%
Steering2912%
Speed Control2510%
Electrical System146%
Engine83%
Brakes83%
Seat Belts73%
Other52%
Fuel System52%
Body & Structure42%
Suspension42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Transmission42%
Latches & Locks31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seats10%
Driver Assistance10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V043000AirbagsJanuary 28, 2015 · 1,006,849 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V539000EngineNovember 9, 2011 · 420,326 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

10V345000SteeringJuly 29, 2010 · 372,593 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AS A SCHOOL BUS APPROACHED, I MOVED OVER SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT TO GIVE IT MORE ROOM. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I HIT A TREE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT DID NOT OCCUR TO ME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THAT THE 2004 AVALON XLS HAD SPED UP. THAT HAD OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 31, 2009 · crash

“2004 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TWO RECALL NOTICES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IT WOULD BE A 150 MILE- ROUND TRIP TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALLS PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE COMPETENT FORD, GM AND CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS THAT COULD PERFORM THE WORK IF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 1, 2012

“WHILE BACKING SLOWLY, THE RIGHT FOOT WAS MOVED FROM ACCELERATOR TO FOOT BRAKE PEDAL. AS PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE FOOT BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED IN REVERSE, CONTINUED TURNING, SMASHED ALONG SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND TURNED A HALF CIRCLE. DRIVER'S LEFT FOOT PRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CAUSING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 2, 2008 · crash

“I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR AND HAD DRIVEN INTO MY DRIVEWAY (AFTER OPENING THE GARAGE DOOR) TO ENTER THE GARAGE. THE CAR SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AND BEFORE I KNEW, I HAD CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE AND WENT THROUGH IT. THE CAR SMASHED INTO GARDENING TOOLS, SNOW SHOVELS, LAWN MOWER, LEAF BLOWER, TRASH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 18, 2014 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF/RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 8, 2004 · crash

2004 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2004 Toyota Avalon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 252 complaints put the 2004 model at #6 of 28 Avalon years. It is one of the Avalon years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (128 complaints), steering (29 complaints), speed control (25 complaints).

Does the 2004 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Avalon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalon years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2003, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1998, 2013. The cleanest record among Avalon years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.