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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,847 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Toyota Avalon drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Toyota Avalon Owner Comments

problem #15

Jan 012015

Avalon 6-cyl

  • 155,835 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The contact heard an abnormal noise as he pressed on the brake pedal; the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving operation. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that a mechanical fault was found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was also informed of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact continued to experience multiple failures after the vehicle was inspected. On the latest incident, the contact stated that he had entered a car wash on the left lane and attempted to enter the right lane by reversing the vehicle. Once the vehicle was placed into drive, the vehicle made an abnormal, squealing noise and independently accelerated without warning into a concrete wall. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was filed with Apex City, NC police department. The contact sought medical attention from his doctor for the soreness to his right hand and right knee. The contact had the vehicle initial towed to a dealer where it was deemed a total loss. The vehicle was then towed to an independent tow yard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 155,835

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #14

Feb 022020

Avalon

  • 70,000 miles
Under hard acceleration while turning, you will experience loss of vehicle control. Ie, entering traffic from a cross street.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #13

Feb 062020

Avalon

  • 140,000 miles
Two previous Avalons (97&98) and the one identified here, did and does allow the key to be removed from the ignition with the car being in park. The danger is that the car will roll and could run over someone or into traffic and cause serious injury. My husband and I always reminded each other to put the car in park, but he is no longer with me and recently I started to get out of the car and it was on a slight incline and it started rolling while I was getting out. I have complained in the past to Toyota, but they didn't believe me. A recent complaint brought the answer that the 36000 mile warranty doesn't apply to the repair. I understand that, but this is evidently a serious issue with Avalons that Toyota has refused to address, or my 2006 wouldn't have the same problem. We have almost always bought used cars and trucks and have never had a vehicle that would allow the key to be removed without being in park. You ask for a specific date at the end of this "step". it is ongoing so I have just put yesterdays date. The car was a gift in September of 2014.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #12

Aug 052019

Avalon

  • 185,482 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hesitation from take off intermittent, transmission shudders on inclines. I would be pulling out into traffic and the car would barley move even with pushing down on the accelerator! then all of a sudden it will just take off! I'll be driving through they city and between 40 and 50 miles per hour the car shifts erratically

- Nash, TX, USA

problem #11

Apr 162014

Avalon

  • 89,800 miles
While driving in town at about 25 mph, the car will accelerate by itself to 30mph, even if the accelerator is released. Pushing down on the accelerator has no effect. The acceleration is brief and stops by itself. This has happened several times over the last few weeks. Cruise control not engaged. The car computer was re-flashed at the dealer year to address to address sensitive accelerator issues.

- Columubus, , TX, USA

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problem #10

Aug 142012

Avalon 6-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
During normal driving conditions vehicles transmissions hesitates shifting up or down between gears. Problem has been pointed out to Toyota dealer in bowie, md, however, they claim they are unable to replicate the problem two Toyota case # [xxx] and [xxx]. also see site: Fourwheeldrift.wordpress.com/2007/01/16/Toyota-Avalon-transmission. ECM issue could cause vehicle to fail during normal driving condition when making turns or accelerating. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #9

Mar 082006

Avalon

  • 27,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that she had problems with the transmission in her vehicle. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled when making turns and changing gears. The vehicle was repaired several times but the failure recurred. The contact stated when pressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle was slow to respond. She pull the vehicle into a parking lot an had it towed to the dealer. The dealer informed that the ignition coil was damaged and needed to be repaired, the power steering needed to be flushed. The failure mileage was 27000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #8

Mar 012010

Avalon

  • miles
S10 appropriate handling re Toyota vehicle sudden acceleration problem, owner of a 2006 Toyota Avalon experienced acceleration problem. Immediately after purchasing the vehicle, the consumer noticed a problem in accelerating, decelerating and shifting gears in the transmission. Since the vehicle was still under warranty, he took the vehicle back to the dealer a few weeks later. The dealer informed the consumer there was no major problem and that a minor adjustment was made to the shifting points in the transmission. The vehicle functioned fine for a while, but then the same problems quickly resurfaced. A Toyota representative stated the problem was not a defect; rather it was the way the vehicle was intended to handle due to its drive-by-wire system. The representative went on to say the drive-by-wire system did not have a traditional rod that connected the pedal to the engine; rather, the pedal went to an electronic system that sensed the intended acceleration and causes the engine to accelerate as directed by the driver. The consumer was told the hesitation he complained of was normal as the system was determining how much to accelerate. The consumer did not believe the sudden acceleration was due to a sticking pedal; rather a problem within the electronic transmission control module, throttle or onboard computer.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #7

Aug 022006

Avalon

  • 3,000 miles
2006 Avalon engine surged. Sent E-mail to Toyota at that time. As I recall Toyota response by E-mail was "we are not aware of any similar incidents" I still have a copy of the E-mail I sent.

- Pierre Part, LA, USA

problem #6

Feb 052008

Avalon

  • 55,122 miles
2006 Toyota Avalon gas pedal does not provide power until depressed over 50 percent travel then it suddenly provides power representative of half throttle. The check engine light flashes on and off when it does deliver power under this condition. On rare occasions when moving from stopped position the car accelerator is overly sensitive and acts like I just stomped onthe gas pedal and not the slow movement I gave te gas pedal to make a slow movement of the car. I have gotten used to the way it drives and it has been this way for the past 10 months. Today the gas pedal has very little response to throttle response. I cannot drive it this way and having car towed to dealer for service. Some days after driving over 30 minutes the car acts normally with exception of check engine light illuminated.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 062009

Avalon

  • 25 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since owning a 2006 Toyota Avalon I have complained about this car surging & taking off. Floor matts are not a issue since the were removed on the drivers side last year.. Toyota tells me that they could not find a problem. This has happened several times, not just one time.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

problem #4

Oct 072009

Avalon

  • 84,444 miles
I was traveling on the NY I-87 in my 2006 Toyota Avalon for approximately 30 minutes when the "check engine" light illuminated. Within a minute or so, the "check oil" light started blinking slowly at first, then after about 30 seconds it was on continuously. By this time I had pulled off into a gas station. As I was pulling into the station the engine was making a loud clicking noise. After it was parked, I checked the dipstick and there was no oil remaining in the engine. The underside of the car, including inside of wheels and brakes was completely coated with oil as well as the back of the trunk. Presumably from the spray underneath while traveling @ 65-70mph. I then purchased 3 quarts of oil, put it in the engine and it drained onto the ground. The mechanic stated there is a pin hole in the rubber section of the oil line. The use of a rubber hose for a pressurized flammable liquid system in this location is absolutely reckless. At a minimum, it should be some sort of armored or shielded hose. I'm amazed the car didn't start on fire from being doused with five quarts of oil leaking from the ruptured hose. The service person at the dealership indicated this is a common problem with 2006 Avalons and he couldn't understand why there hasn't been a recall issued. The engine repairs caused by this defect will cost me up to $5000. Today I found at least a 1000 complaints regarding this same issue on carcomplaints.com and aboutautomobile.com. I would hate to see a death result in this issue caused by fire due to hot oil.

- Monroe, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 202009

Avalon

  • 63,000 miles
The car A/C stopped functioning and I soon lost most of my oil. I was left on a Sunday without much oil and had to get the car towed to the dealer. The replaced the oil line at no charge and luckily I had aaa towing insurance. I was out on the road without oil in the car!!!

- Delmar, NY, USA

problem #2

Jun 082009

Avalon

  • 83,000 miles
2006 Toyota Avalon lxs driving home from vacation noticed noise when transmission shifted. Got progressively worse as we approached home. Checked oil next day. Engine empty of oil. Put oil in and leaked immediately out. Oil line broken. No warning of engine trouble, no check engine light, no warning at all. Had car tolled to repair shop. Engine may be goner.

- Canyon Lake, TX, USA

problem #1

Mar 272006

(reported on)

Avalon

  • miles
Ltr fm (fl) re the defective transmission in her 2006 Toyota Avalon. The vehicle was taken to the dealer over five times within in a six week period. The consumer stated the vehicle would hesitate and then surge forward when gently depressing the accelerator. The rear seat belt was defective and the front passenger air bag sensor didn't come on at the proper weight as described by the salesman.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

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