I have filed a complaint with Toyota regarding the hesitation and erratic shifting of our 2005 Avalon. I was told that it was due to the way the computer controls the new 5 speed transmission in conjunction with their electronic fuel injection control. In researching this problem, I have read where many other Avalon owners have also experienced this. On sun.,03/12/06, I had just exited route 80 eastbound (exit 27) in N.J. and proceeded to merge with traffic on route 206 and had to immediately make a left turn. As I pressed on accelerator, the vehicle simply did not respond (hesitation) and, when it did engage after a second or two, lunged forward. This startled all in the car (myself and 2 passengers) and was a very unsafe occurrence as traffic was heavy and moving fast. The vehicle has approx. 7500 miles on it and will be a year old in June,2006. I have an appointment for service with my dealership on tues.,03/21. They are to go over the car and check to see if there are any tech. Service bulletins. I have been checking on existence of tsb since shortly after buying the vehicle. I am not optimistic. This is a serious problem and Toyota should be doing something about it! thank you.

- Endicott, NY, USA